Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 10/31/2019 to
Now Ya Cookin'
The largest differences between the two revolve around how and why each is produced. Tea bags contain the dust and smaller, broken pieces of tea leaves as they fit in the tea bags but this also means that tea bags typically offer lower quality tea. Tea has traditionally been adapted to fit into tea bags as they are more convenient and easier to prepare than loose leaf tea. Tea bags are also more reliable regarding their taste and quantity as the tea inside is blended for standardization. In recent years, more tea bag shapes have started to emerge (ex. tea pyramids, tea pouches, and tea socks) as brands have begun to adapt the tea bag to the tea rather than the reverse.
Loose leaf tea is the opposite. As the name suggests, loose leaf is comprised of whole or partial tea leaves, much larger than would be able to fit into the tiny, square tea bags. Because of this, loose leaf tea is generally of a higher quality. A larger range of varieties and flavors are available with loose leaf tea as there is no standardizing the batches of leaves. However, this also means that the quantity changes from season to season and year to year as a result.
Other differences between the two methods are present in brewing time, length of freshness, and one-use vs multiple uses.
Despite what impassioned tea drinkers may say, there is no right or wrong side in the tea bag vs loose leaf tea debate, so it mostly comes down to personal preference and which one better suits your lifestyle. Busy parent or businessperson on the go? Tea bags are probably your preference. Is enjoying a cup of tea how you unwind at the end of a long day? Perhaps the longer preparation of loose leaf tea calls to you. Regardless of your preference, nothing beats a nice cup of tea.
