Cheap Eats.ie

17 Feb, 2010

Loose Tea versus Tea Bags

Posted by: rercy in: Drinks | Good Value | Money Saving Tips

TeaFor 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?

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19 Responses to "Loose Tea versus Tea Bags"

1 | Cristi

February 17th, 2010 at 11:03 am

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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.

2 | claire

February 17th, 2010 at 11:19 am

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Vanilla and Rooibos tea is my new addiction. I love tea!

3 | Rita Tobin

February 17th, 2010 at 11:42 am

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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.

4 | Liana

February 17th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

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It might be tastier but is a lot messier, I haven’t been converted yet….

5 | Tom Gleeson

February 17th, 2010 at 12:59 pm

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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

6 | tammi

February 17th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

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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.

7 | Kathy

February 17th, 2010 at 2:52 pm

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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.

8 | Aidan

February 17th, 2010 at 3:50 pm

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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?

9 | Frank

February 17th, 2010 at 11:29 pm

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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).

10 | Catriona

February 18th, 2010 at 7:43 am

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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.

11 | claire

February 18th, 2010 at 10:56 am

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I got a teapot with an inbuilt strainer in Dunnes. Its perfect for loose tea.

12 | Aidan

February 18th, 2010 at 1:52 pm

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Great, I’ll check out both suggestions - thanks!

13 | yoda

February 20th, 2010 at 1:33 am

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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.

14 | Aoife

February 22nd, 2010 at 3:57 pm

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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.

15 | Cathy

February 23rd, 2010 at 4:08 am

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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

16 | Oscar

February 23rd, 2010 at 12:36 pm

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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.

17 | Oscar

February 23rd, 2010 at 12:37 pm

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http://www.suki-tea.com
Fairtrade Suki Tea Pyramids coming soon

18 | Dee dee

February 24th, 2010 at 2:35 pm

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Ditch those teabags & embrace the loose leaf

19 | Evelyn O'B

May 17th, 2010 at 8:16 pm

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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.

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