For most a good cup of tea starts with a normal tea bag (of the many brands currently available in the UK), but for most this also may mean missing out on truly superior tea. Before I completely destroy the tea bag, please note some tea bags are better than others out there – for the reasons explained below.
The main difference between loose tea and tea bags is the size of the leaves. That’s what affects the resulting cup of tea. Tea leaves contain essential oils and can be very delicate – making each tea slightly different from the other. When the tea leaves are broken up, those oils can evaporate, leaving the tea more bland and bitter – which is why you often need to add milk/sugar.
Typical tea bags are filled with the tiniest pieces of broken leaves, called fannings – also because by the way of making the tea bag you can’t fit large tea leaves in the bag. Loose teas are typically whole leaves or at least large pieces of leaves. Also, tea leaves need space to swell, expand and unfurl. Good water circulation around the leaves is important, which doesn’t typically happen in a little tea bag.
Other factors to consider when choosing you tea is the grade (eg TGFOP1) which denotes the leaf size for Indian teas (Darjeeling, Sikkim Temi or Fikkal Ilam). Even if you prefer a simple cup of black Keemun, or Assam (which is the major component of most bagged teas), try loose-leaf tea instead of in teabags – you wont regret it! Not even to mention the fact that leaf tea is a ‘greener’ more environmentally friendly product.
chateaurouge.wordpress.com 