Chances are if you are not a tea connoisseur, you have been drinking a bagged tea from your local grocer. While you may be choosing the finest quality according to the package, you haven't really experienced the true delight in both taste and fragrance until you have tried loose tea. There are several differences including the size of the leaves, the ability to expand your choice, and the grade of teas available in loose tea leaf form. It wasn't until recently that loose tea became popular. People wanted to see, smell and feel the product that eventually made it into those tiny little bags and then the birth of wide range loose tea consumption was born.



Usually, when you purchase bagged tea at your local retail location, you will find tiny pieces of tea in a cramped bag. These little pieces of tea are called tea fannings. When tea is broken up, it loses its naturals oils, which greatly contribute to both the smell and taste of the tea. There are some good quality tea bags though these are usually found in the finer tea boutiques and shops that also sell predominantly loose tea. The difference in the tea bags you will find in the everyday store and the specialty shops is that the bags are larger therefore allowing for larger pieces of tea (essentially similar to loose tea).

The size of the bag is important as well. Store bought tea is mostly sold in small tea bags. This does not allow the tea leaves to expand and swell. The more that tea leaves can expand, the more flavors that are extracted from this delightful past time beverage. Of course, loose tea maximizes this process and loose tea is really the best, but there are some bags that allow appropriate room for the steeping process.

There are different grades of many diverse kinds of tea. Loose tea offers the finest grades available. As an example, the Orange Pekoe that you see printed on the side of the tea boxes in the store is neither a flavor nor a particular type of tea. Rather it is a tea grade. While this is a decent tea grade for bagged tea, it isn't the finest and doesn't compare to loose leaf tea. Loose tea leaves are available in more choices and options. There are so many different loose tea types that manufacturers do not find it profitable to produce every type in a condensed tea bag. Specialty shops have more options including purchasing the tea bags and loose leaf tea for home infusion.

Another consideration for those who are environmentally conscious is that loose tea does not have a bag, paper or waste. So loose tea helps save the environment while providing you a better end product. Additionally, it is more natural as the glues, sealers and even bags themselves contain man-made chemicals. Since the tea is stronger, more flavorful and doesn't spoil as fast, less loose tea is generally used for a single cup therefore making it last longer.

Drinking loose tea is much more than choosing a good tasting beverage from isle nine in your supermarket! It is a time-honored tradition. Choosing, buying, brewing, steeping and drinking tea is much like tasting a fine wine. The condition of the crops, fertilizers used, cultivation and production methods, as well as environmental differences all affect the end result of loose tea and other types and grades of tea. It is a truly cultural experience to try many different types of loose tea until you find your favorite tea that arouses your personal taste buds.