Tea bags are probably the most common method of tea drinking. The appearance of tea bags was at the beginning of the 20th century due to a significant rise in tea consumption. The inventor of tea bags, a New York tea merchant by the name of Thomas Sullivan, had a custom of sending tea samples in white silk bags to his customers, and they were intrigued by this new ground-breaking product.
Upon the appearance of tea bags, the price of tea was lowered. The possibility of drinking tea without special brewing utensils made tea suitable for mass consumption, turning it into the world’s most prevalent hot beverage.
However, the traditional tea drinking have remained using loose tea leaves in the Eastern countries that best preserves the tea nutritional benefits and its flavours. Tea is also a extremely sustainable product which the leaves can be reused up to a dozen times a day.
Why should you consider drinking loose tea?
Drinking loose tea offers several benefits compared to tea bags. Here are some of them:
1. Better Flavor: Loose tea generally contains whole leaves or larger leaf fragments, providing a fuller and more robust flavour compared to the pre-packaged and often finely ground leaves found in tea bags. This allows for a more complex and nuanced taste.
2. Greater Variety: Loose tea often comes in a wider variety of options, including different grades and types of tea. This allows you to explore different flavours, aromas, and characteristics that may not be readily available in tea bags.
3. Quality: Loose tea is often considered higher in quality because it is less processed than the tea found in bags. The leaves can unfurl more fully during steeping, releasing more of their essential oils, aroma, and flavour.
4. Eco-Friendly: Loose tea is generally more environmentally friendly than tea bags. Many tea bags contain plastic or other non-biodegradable materials, while loose tea is often sold in recyclable or compostable packaging.
5. Control Over Brewing: When using loose tea, you have greater control over the brewing process. You can adjust the number of tea leaves, water temperature, and steeping time to customize the strength and flavour of your tea to suit your preferences.
6. Health Benefits: Loose tea may retain more of its natural antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds compared to tea bags, where the leaves are often broken into smaller pieces. The larger leaves in loose tea may preserve more of the beneficial components.
7. Cost-Effective: While the initial cost of loose tea may be higher, it is often more cost-effective in the long run. You can typically use fewer tea leaves per cup compared to tea bags, as the leaves expand more during brewing.
8. Aesthetic Appeal: Loose tea brewing can be a visually appealing experience. Watching the leaves unfurl and expand in the water can be a sensory pleasure, adding to the overall enjoyment of the tea-drinking experience.
It’s important to note that the benefits can vary based on the type and quality of tea, personal preferences, and brewing methods. Ultimately, whether you choose loose tea or tea bags depends on your individual taste, convenience, and environmental considerations.
Drink tea as nature intends
Drinking loose tea is a great method to preserve the tea benefits and high quality craftsmanship.
Understand the sustainable values of Tea
Tea is a perennial crop, meaning it can be harvested for many years without replanting. This reduces the need for constant land preparation and helps prevent soil erosion. Tea plantations, when managed sustainably, can support biodiversity. Maintaining natural vegetation and using agroforestry practices in and around tea plantations can provide habitat for various species, including birds and insects.
Tea plants, like other plants, absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Well-maintained and healthy tea plantations can contribute to carbon sequestration, helping mitigate climate change. Compared to some other crops, tea cultivation can be relatively water-efficient. Proper water management practices in tea plantations contribute to sustainable water use. Some tea producers follow traditional and agroecological farming practices that integrate tea cultivation with the natural environment. This can include using traditional planting techniques, intercropping with other plants, and maintaining diverse landscapes.
