Tea Bags versus Loose Tea

The tea bag was invented in the U.S. in 1908 by Thomas Sullivan, a thrifty tea importer, who replaced the large sample tins of tea he was sending to retail customers with small, individual silk bags of tea. Filter paper has since replaced the silk and the tea bag has become a staple.

Many people automatically assume that loose tea is “better” than tea in tea bags. In the U.S., this assumption is based in part on consumers’ familiarity with supermarket-grade tea bags, which are made with lower-quality tea. While the very best teas are sold—and brewed—as loose tea, there are many excellent teas that come in tea bags. Here are some things to keep in mind when making your choice.

• The English, who are very particular about their tea, use tea bags for 87% of the tea they drink.

• The quality of the tea leaf is the most important factor in determining the quality of the brewed tea. A fine tea in a tea bag will make a much better cup than a mediocre loose tea.

• The amount of tea in the tea bag must be sufficient to ensure a good cup: at least 2 grams in a tagged tea bag for a 6-ounce cup; 2.5 grams in an English-style tea bag for an 8-ounce mug.

• Brewing with loose tea provides greater contact between the leaf surface and the hot water, allowing for the release of more subtle flavors.

• Tea bags use smaller sizes or “grades” of tea. The smaller grades infuse more quickly, counteracting the filtering effect of the tea bag. (In tea production, “grade” refers to size, not quality.)

• Hearty breakfast blends, such as English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast take very well to tea bags, maintaining all their characteristic flavor. The added convenience of a tea bag is also a plus in the morning.

• Teas with many subtle flavors, such as a Special Rare-Single Estate Darjeeling, are best brewed as loose tea. There is also more time for the extra steps involved in brewing loose tea in a relaxed afternoon or evening, as well as more time to savor the complex flavor.

• There are many more rare and exotic teas available in loose form.

• To take advantage of the convenience of tea bags and enjoy the variety of loose teas available, choose the Telia Tea Filters, suitable for both pot and cup.