Crosstitch_Witch t1_j7w5oip wrote on February 9, 2023 at 8:52 PM

Reply to comment by hardly_trying in TIL different kinds of tea (black, green, white, oolong) come from the same plant. The only difference is in how the leaves are processed. by wombat-slayer

If you don't mind me asking, what makes loose leaf better?

hardly_trying t1_j7w7t5b wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:05 PM

You can assure it's freshness by actually observing it and storing it properly. Also, you can dry out leaves that have been steeped once and reuse them. And bagged tea is typically ground and grainy. Loose leaf tea allows for pieces of fruit, flowers and whole spices. (I'm talking actually pieces of star anise and all spice, etc.) Finally, traditional teas from the cultures where tea leaves are grown are almost always loose leaf (or loose powder, for matcha) and they were designed to be best experienced in that form.

Also, if you enjoy tea, eventually invest in an electric kettle. None of this heating a mug in the microwave nonsense. Or, heavens forbid, do not BOIL a bag of black tea on the stove. It makes the tea gods sad.

Crosstitch_Witch t1_j7wbfyg wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:28 PM

Apparently, i am a heathen who has probably been causing the tea gods severe depression because i do both of the things you said not to do. Lol I've never had loose leaf before, it always seemed like a hassle to get into, but I'm also a very lazy person.

hardly_trying t1_j7wca8k wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:33 PM

Its understandable. I was raised in the Southeast US and I have seen/done my share of tea sins before I was aware. lol. Really, just a kettle and a little metal steeper are all you need. Use a tsp or so of tea and don't let it steep more than 2-3 minutes. Sweeten as desired.

Crosstitch_Witch t1_j7wdlay wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:41 PM

Yes, i am South US and southeners really like to do things the easy way, it becomes a bad habit that's hard to break. I may get into it, I'd have to get all the things though. I just found out there's a tea bar not too far from me that uses loose leaf tea too, so maybe i can try some there as well.

hardly_trying t1_j7we3hf wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:44 PM

Pricing may scare you at first! Just remember you only need a couple of ounces to begin with and you can get 2-3 steepings out of a single tsp of high quality leaves. So, you'll get 15-30 cups out of that two ounces.

Crosstitch_Witch t1_j7wegqq wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:46 PM

Oh neat! Thank you very much for all the info, I've been getting more into teas lately since i can't have coffee as much anymore, so I'll definitely look more into loose leaf.