What Is The Best Loose Leaf Tea

How Online Tea Stores Bring Value To You And The Farmers

The best tea brands have personal connections with tea-growing communities. They export directly from the producers as opposed to wholesale importers. Tea drinkers get their garden fresh loose leaf tea in a matter of just a few weeks. This economically straightforward business model eliminates the middleman. As such, the value goes only to the two key parties the consumer and the tea grower. Moreover, since harvesting, processing, and packaging in one place leaves more money within the tea growing community, this business model also supports better social programs such as schools for kids and healthcare for families.

Where To Buy Loose Leaf Tea

Like most natural products, tea tastes best when fresh. However, most loose leaf teas on the market are far from it, taking nearly a year to reach your cup as they pass through a supply-chain of multiple middlemen and storage houses.

As your tea makes this long journey from the plantation to your home, it gradually goes flat losing its natural flavour and aroma. As such some common tea brands chemically enhance their teas with natural and artificial flavouring or GMOs.

tea

Sadly most of todays leading tea brands include harmful chemical additives to boost flavor and shelf life of their teas.

So, if you intend to consume the freshest and purest form of loose leaf teas, you can select from teakruthis range of loose leaf teas. They reach you within three months of being harvested from plantations and they are one of the best loose leaf teas available in the market.

What Is The Difference Between Loose Leaf Tea And Tea Bags

Grades of tea can get pretty technical, but to save you time, weve simplified it.Dust & FanningThe teabags you buy at the grocery store contain dust and fanning grades of tea. Brands that sell this tea must crush the leaves when packaging into tea bags.Broken & Loose LeafYou can find broken leaf or whole leaf tea at your local health-focused grocery store or online. Whole leaf tea, also known as loose leaf tea, is your best choice for flavor, quality, and health benefits.Brands that sell broken leaf teas use a spacious tea bag. Tea is still broken, but less so than dust or fanning grades.Whole leaf tea, also known as loose leaf tea, comes in bulk form, such as a bag or tin. Loose leaf tea is better for you, the environment, and your wallet! Plus, its tastier!

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Art Of Tea Uji Gyokuro Tea

Gyokuro green tea is considered one of the best green teas available in the world and this offering from the Art of Tea is a great example of Gyokuro green tea.

Gyokuro green tea is delicate and needs to be steeped at a lower temperature than most teas and is often quite expensive. Art Of Tea Uji Gyokuro Tea is no exception to this rule, being one of the most expensive teas on our list.

However, it is the sheer quality of this tea that makes it so expensive and such a joy to drink. If you can, this is a great tea to try at least once.

Drinking Tea During Pregnancy

Many women are hesitant to drink tea during pregnancy due to all the warnings about caffeine, although coffee beans are generally more of a concern.

However, herbal infusions are perfectly safe and beneficial to drink when pregnant.

Keep reading to find out which will benefit you and which can reduce morning sickness.

Recommended Reading: Does Fit Tea Really Work

Let These Tea Balls And Baskets Help You Steep The Perfect Cuppa

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Most tea infusers on the market fall into one of two categories, tea basket or tea ball. While they seem fairly standard, the right tea infuser will transform looseleaf tea into a delightful beverage while the wrong infuser is sure to vex you with a watery beverage laden with chewy bits of loose tea. So you have to choose wisely!

I will tell you that none of the infusers on this list are gimmicky or will produce bad tea. As a tea lover, I could never do that. Instead, I consulted with a couple of experts on how to brew the best cup and which products will help you relax, not add to your stress.

From an electric tea kettle that’s sure to make your morning tea amazing to affordable tea balls that should keep all your loose-leaf tea in one place, here are the best tea infusers to have for your next cuppa.

Best Matcha: Encha Ceremonial Grade Organic Matcha Green Tea

• Reasonably priced for ceremonial matcha

• Vibrant color and aroma

• Packaged in bags not tins

A list of the best green teas wouldnt be complete without at least one matcha option. Matcha, which literally means powdered tea, is a type of green tea thats made by drying young tea leaves and then grinding them into a powder. The powder can be mixed with hot water for a traditional matcha or paired with your favorite milk or non-dairy milk substitute for a green tea latte.

There are lots of matcha options out there, but the Encha Ceremonial Grade Organic Matcha Green Tea earned the best matcha tea spot for several reasons. It has the light signature grassy flavor of matcha without being overpowering. Even if youre new to matcha, youll enjoy the mellow subtly sweet flavor of Encha.

Its organic and comes directly from Kyoto, Japanmatchas birthplace. At first, the price may make you raise an eyebrow, but keep in mind that a little goes a really long way. You only need about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup, so youll get 30 to 60 servings from one pouch.

Form: Matcha powder | Caffeine: 60 milligrams | Steep Time: N/A | Ingredients: Pure matcha green tea powder

• Easy to find in-store and online

• Multiple flavors available

• Prices vary widely by retailer

• May not be sweet enough for some

Form: Bottled iced tea | Caffeine: 44 milligrams | Steep Time: N/A | Ingredients: Brewed tea, ascorbic acid, and natural flavor

• Not too sweet, not too tart

• Slightly more sugar than other brands

Also Check: What Tea Is Good For Your Immune System

Loose Leaf Tea Vs Tea Bags Which Ones Better

Tea bags are easy to brew, have a consistent taste and are cheaper than loose leaf tea. But, the only reason they are cheap is that they are easy to mass-produce. The leaves in most tea bags are the dust and leftovers of tea leaves that have an odd aftertaste.

Tea bags require the tea leaves to be finely crushed. Thus, the aroma and flavour of the leaves get killed to a great extent. A large number of tannins present in it result in a bitter taste. Youll have to rely on adding sugar and milk to your cup of tea to make it taste good.

Now, if convenience and ease of making your daily cup of tea are important for you, then you should opt for tea bags. But if you want to explore the various flavours of tea and develop a taste for them, its time to make the shift to loose leaf tea.

While tea bags are convenient to use, the tea prepared from using tea bags doesnt quite compare to loose leaf teas.;Loose leaf tea will provide you with real aroma and flavour. Youll be brewing your cup of tea from the actual withered tea leaves.

Tea bags can not compare with the freshness factor associated with loose leaf tea. Tea bags are mass-produced and are meant for longer shelf life while the loose leaf teas are fresher. The best loose leaf tea brands try to bring them to you fresh from the plantations.

Best Organic: Buddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea

• Available in loose leaf too

• Boxes made from recycled material

• Steeping instructions on box

• Tea bags tear easily

• Mild flavor

There are lots of organic teas out there, but the Buddha Tea Organic Sencha Green Tea earned the spot of our best organic green tea for several reasons. The delicate and fresh taste is one of the big ones, of course, but its also a flavonoid-rich tea made without additives or artificial colors.

Like many organic tea manufacturers, Buddha Teas uses 100 percent organic green tea leaves to create this item, but the brand takes it a step further by using bleach-free tea bags. As an added bonus, the brand’s boxes are made from recycled materials.

Form: Tea bags and loose leaf | Caffeine: 30 milligrams | Steep Time: 3 to 5 minutes | Ingredients: Organic green tea

• White tea blend to avoid bitterness

• Mild flavor

• No strings on tea bags

When it comes to caffeinated beverages, green tea is fairly low on the list. An 8-ounce cup contains about 30 milligrams of caffeine. For comparison, the same size cup of coffee packs in 95 milligrams, while black tea hovers around 50 milligrams. But even though theres not a lot of caffeine in green tea to start with, you may still be looking for a decaffeinated green tea. Thats where the Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea comes in.

Form: Tea bags and K-Cups | Caffeine: 0 milligrams | Steep Time: 2 minutes | Ingredients: Decaffeinated green tea, decaffeinated white tea, and ascorbic acid

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A Quick Look At The Taste And Aroma

This gunpowder green tea has a deep robust flavor to it.; As with most gunpowder teas, this one has a bit of a smoky accent to its overall flavor.;

The grassy notes are still there and are brought to the forefront with a perfect steep.

The aroma is very clean and foresty.; The grassy smell has the fragrance of an overgrown forest on a damp day.;

The vegetable smell is also infused with a slightly smoky or nutty aroma that comes to the fore, even more, when it is steeped.

Best With Handle: Oxo Brew Twisting Tea Ball Infuser

• Holes too large for some teas

Infusers with handles offer a couple advantages over conventional tea balls: they are easier to control when steeping and are less likely to make a mess. The OXO Brew Twisting Tea Ball Infuser is our top pick in the category because it takes these advantages and adds a few unique touches of its own. Most notable is the twisting handle that opens and closes the infuser ball. It’s a smooth and simple mechanism that sets the item apart from other handled infusers. We’re also big fans of the sleek and elegant design, accented by the black handle.

Many tea infusers can be purchased at a cheaper price, but the OXO model is affordable nonetheless. Plus, it’s made from sturdy stainless steel and non-slip plastic. OXO backs all of its products with a lifetime guarantee.

Quantity: One infuser | Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 1.6 x 1.6 x 7 inches

We love the House Again Extra Fine Mesh Tea Infusers because they blend convenience with an adorable design. The silicon flower toppers add a little character to your tea while simultaneously making it easier to lift in and out of your drink. On the other hand, those interested in a more discreet option will enjoy Fu Store’s Stainless Steel Mesh Tea Balls .

Also Check: Does Green Tea Lower Blood Sugar

Best Matcha: Matcha Konomi Akira Organic Ceremonial Matcha

• From Uji region of Japan

• Mixes easily

• Not highest grade

• Slightly grassy

Matcha has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, gaining attention for its taste and culinary versatility . Whether youre a seasoned matcha veteran or looking to try the drink for the first time, Matcha Konomi’s Akira Organic Ceremonial Matcha should be your go-to choice. Its packed with flavor.

The leaves are sourced from the lush the Uji region of Japan, and this matcha is ceremonial grade, which is best for general drinking purposes, as opposed to culinary grade, typically used for cooking and baking. Expect a little boost of energy when drinking, as one serving contains roughly one-third the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee.

Matcha usually costs a little more than other kinds of teas, but the price per serving is still lower than you would expect to spend in a coffee shop. You can find this pick in a size that fits your matcha needs: a 1-ounce tin, a 3.5-ounce tin, or a large 1-pound bag.

Form: Powder | Size: 30, 100, and 454 grams | Origin: Uji, Kyoto | Caffeinated: Yes

Best Cup: Tea Forte Kati Single Cup Loose Tea Brewing System

• No leaves spill into cup

• Multiple designs

• Gets hot to touch

• Ceramic is breakable

If youre in the market for a new favorite teacup that includes an infuser, consider the Tea Forte Kati Single Cup Loose Tea Brewing System. It is a favorite among tea lovers thanks to its beautiful design, quality construction, and great results. Many happy customers say they either received or gave this item as a gift, so keep that in mind for the next holiday or special occasion.

With this brewing system, you get a 12-ounce ceramic cup with a contemporary design, a stainless steel infuser basket that hooks onto the cup, and a matching lid. The double-walled design of the cup keeps the tea warm for longer, and the infuser is made of a fine mesh thats compatible with many types of tea. The cup is also microwave and dishwasher safe, so its easy to clean and reheat if needed. You can choose from a dozen beautiful designs, finding an aesthetic that suits your taste.

Buyers comment that its high-quality, easy-to-use, and helpful when youre on the go. They also write that the strainer is fine enough to keep tea leaves out of your drink and that you simply cant beat the look.

Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Ceramic mug and stainless steel infuser | Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.75 inches

• Makes hot and iced tea

• Multiple sizes available

• Prone to leaking

• Tea stains plastic

Capacity: 16 or 28 ounces | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 4.5 x 7 inches

• Tea leaves cling to mesh

• Plastic parts

Read Also: How To Make Chai Latte With Tea Bag

Vahdam: Overall Best Tea Brand

For premium tea blends hailing from India, you cant beat Vahdam. The tea brand is shaking up the industry with a refreshing approach. They source their teas directly from farmers in India and cut the middlemen to sell exclusively online. This ensures that you get the best prices and the freshest premium teas. Even cooler: The brand also cares for its producers, with 1% of its revenue going towards the education of its farmers children.

A celebrity favourite think Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres Vahdam is one of the buzziest tea brands of the moment with a growing number of new customers signing up to their subscription service to get exotic Indian teas delivered to their doorstep.

By applying organic principles to the companys ethos, Vahdam prides itself on supplying some of the worlds finest organic and speciality teas.

We warmly recommend Vahdam for yourself, of course, but also as a beautiful gift for the tea-lovers in your life. The brand makes exquisite gift boxes with an array of delicious gourmet blends that are sure to be, well, their cup of tea. Adding to our checkout cart as we speak.

Our favourite tea blend: Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea

You simply cant go wrong with any of Vahdams tea blends. But if we had to pick one for you to discover the brand, we would recommend the fruity and fragrant Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea blend.;

Price $$

Buddha Teas Loose Leaf Sencha Green Tea

Origin:; Japan

Sencha Green Tea, check out the best sencha teas, is the most popular tea in Japan.; It is a whole leaf green tea where the leaves are rolled and steamed to protect the leaves from oxidization.; This helps give the Sencha tea its distinctive golden-green hue.; The finished tea is also a bit cloudy due to the steaming process.

Sencha is your basic green tea.; It accounts for about 80% of the tea produced in Japan.;

It is just green tea leaves steamed to lock in the flavors.; Pure green tea.; Rolled and dried to create this wonderful finished product that you can steep into the perfect cup of tea.

And the Buddha Teas Loose Leaf Sencha Green Tea is a great sencha tea to get you started.

Also Check: Where Can You Buy Matcha Tea

Harney & Sons Black Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea

Blended using superb teas from India and China, this classic Earl Greywhich derives its name from a long-ago British Prime Ministeris mixed with oil of bergamot for a pleasantly strong citrus note that comes through in every sip. The handsome tin helps preserve freshness and holds 4 ounces of productenough to brew approximately 40 cups of tea. Hand-packed in upstate New York, it has one of the boldest flavor profiles of any pick on our list with a rich medium body thats a pleasure to drink. Simply add a teaspoon of tea for every cup desired and allow it to steep for five minutes before enjoying.

Courtesy of Amazon