For years, I’ve heard people banging on about the merits of loose-leaf tea versus tea bags and I thought to myself – surely there’s better things to talk about.
It turns out there isn’t! Loose tea is so much better than bagged and I want to tell the world – I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to listen to people.
Not only is it better quality tea but it’s better value. Loose-leaf tea is one of the few arenas in the world that delivers much higher quality at a much lower cost. What’s more, you use a lot less tea per serving and you don’t have to worry about disposing the tea bag.
The whole teapot ritual is also very calming but the main reason to drink loose tea is the taste. At the moment I’m partial to Barry’s Classic Blend but the Lyons loose range is also good.
You’re probably thinking that it can’t taste all that different but it does – go ahead and try.
What’s your favourite tea brand and who wins – loose tea or tea bag?
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 11:03 am
At the present, I’m in to organic green or mint tea bags.
But I will reconsider my thoughts, because it’s not the first time I heard this fact.
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 11:19 am
Vanilla and Rooibos tea is my new addiction. I love tea!
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 11:42 am
I love loose tea but the leaves annoy me, even with a strainer I always seem to end up with a mouth full of tea leaves.
Also if you would like to win a new mug for your tea check out my blog: http://www.t2.ie/blog
P.S. love your blog skin.
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 12:25 pm
It might be tastier but is a lot messier, I haven’t been converted yet….
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Barry’s Classic Blend is yer only man (both loose and teabags). Although I’m mainly a loose tea man, I also use teabags (have to for many specialist teas, such as Rooibos or Earl Gray) and am not convinced the difference is that pronounced. Cost wise I find them similar with a slight advantage for loose.
Tom
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Agree on both the better quality of loose tea and the annoying thing about getting tea leaves at the bottom of the cup. There is a tea pot you can buy that allows the tea to draw but keeps the tea separate in a cylinder (think it might be bodum), but my favourite solution is a spoon with 2 sides that closes together so you can make 1 cup of your favourite tea without getting loose leaves in the cup.
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Loose tea of any kind wins by a mile. Clipper green is good. The problem is modern teapots, which usually don’t have a strainer in the spout. These teapots are available at Bewley’s in Blackrock Shopping Centre. Also, better quality tea has bigger pieces of leaves and they unfurl as the tea brews, so they tend to stay in the pot. There’s a lovely tea shop in Wicklow Street selling a huge range of loose tea.
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Suki Tea also do lots of lovely loose tea flavours (based in Belfast, but can be ordered for postal delivery).
I’ve only ever had loose tea a couple of times but would love to investigate further – just never think of getting a suitable teapot when I’m in town. Can anyone suggest somewhere in Dublin city centre that would be worth a look for a messless teapot?
Wednesday 17 February, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Always use loose tea – taste is much better. Mix 50/50 Assam/Darjeeling.
Unfortunately, supermarkets here are 99% teabags only.
So, get my tea in Bewleys or Sainsburys (half the price of here).
Thursday 18 February, 2010 at 7:43 am
Adrian, not sure about where to get a messless teapot but you could try a tea ball – it’s basically a metal tea bag. I have a few that I’ve acquired over the years in various shops, you should be able to get them anywhere that sells kitchen stuff. They’re really handy.
Thursday 18 February, 2010 at 10:56 am
I got a teapot with an inbuilt strainer in Dunnes. Its perfect for loose tea.
Thursday 18 February, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Great, I’ll check out both suggestions – thanks!
Saturday 20 February, 2010 at 1:33 am
I always drink Wisdom of the Ancients brand of Symfre Herbal Tea whenever I have cold, and it always works! (and it’s all I ingest or my cold, except besides perhaps a little vitamin C). It needs to be drunk through a bombilla, so it is loose leaf.
Monday 22 February, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Palais du Thés on Wicklow St is fab – love their Thé du Hammam and Fleur de Geisha.
Matcha Green Tea is excellent too but it’s expensive and a bit of a palaver to make. Great if you have time though.
For work, I swear by teabags – Clipper white tea with strawberry/raspberry, QI green tea plus and Heath & Heather herbal teas.
Tuesday 23 February, 2010 at 4:08 am
Palais du Thes also sell disposable tea bags, they’re really cheap and you get a load in the pack- that way you can buy quality leaves, make your own blend, but still avoid the mess by actually using a tea bag:D
Tuesday 23 February, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Why not have both.
We have just developed and are soon to launch a range of award winning teas in Tea Pyramids. Many Fairtrade and Organic, these teas are loose leaf in the convenience of a bag.
Tuesday 23 February, 2010 at 12:37 pm
http://www.suki-tea.com
Fairtrade Suki Tea Pyramids coming soon
Wednesday 24 February, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Ditch those teabags & embrace the loose leaf
Monday 17 May, 2010 at 8:16 pm
No need to “don a bag” …. let loose 🙂
I go weak thinking of a good strong mug of black tea made from loose tea leaves ….. Mmmmhhh.
Tuesday 14 September, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Not sure if this conversation is still alive. I get great loose leaf tea from a health shop in Town, the one on sth Great Georges St. The tea is called Lilys Tea, and I’m a big fan of the Oolong tea. They also sell infuser teapots, specially designed for the loose leaf delicacy that is tea!
Saturday 9 July, 2011 at 8:53 pm
If you a big fan of the Oolong tea you should try Milky Oolong. Unusual. Not a lot shop have this tea but the cheapest what I found is on http://www.tea4you.ie . Try. Mmmmhh :).
Monday 11 July, 2011 at 8:18 am
I buy Tesco Fairtrade loose tea. 1.79 for 250gms, can’t go wrong!