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bags Leaf Tea
Loose Leaf tea vs Tea
Many people’s experiences of tea are teabags
bought in a supermarket. They are quick, easy to
use, and cheap but always lacking the superior
taste and nuances of loose-leaf tea.
Tea bags are typically made of dust and small
particles of inexpensive low-quality teas. In
contrast, the high-quality loose leaf which is
made from whole leaves. Whole leaves allow for
the release of more essential oils and flavours
during brewing, they develop complex flavours
with many nuanced layers just like a fine wine.
The leaf size difference is the result of the The importance of this can be
different harvest methods. Orthodox loose-leaf explained very simply. If you were
teas are handpicked with meticulous care, to infuse tea with different size
dexterity and skill to ensure the integrity of the leaves, they will infuse at different
leaf. Whereas teabag teas are mechanically times which will undermine taste.
harvested by rotary blades and suction, cutting Customisation of your tea is much
the leaves into lots of tiny irregular pieces. simpler with loose leaf tea, you
The superior taste of loose-leaf tea is have the flexibility to adjust the
underpinned by uniformity of the leaf size which amount of tea leaves and brewing
guarantees the consistency of the tea’s time according to your preference.
character. Tea is graded according to size, Teabags are pre-portioned so
quality, and character. there is less flexibility.
Mancotta tea garden in Assam, growing othordox Assams JANUARY/FEBRUARY. 2024 | ISSUE 34
www.beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk