Loose Leaf Tea
Loose Leaf Tea has become popular again. While some people believe it lacks the convenience of Tea Bags, others say it tastes better. Good quality Loose Leaf Tea, however, can be tricky to find. Not when you buy from The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. We stock only the best of the best, all of which we pack fresh to order. But why should you make the switch? Allow us to show you below.
What is the Tea Leaf Plant?
Traditional Loose Tea and Tea Bags both come from the same place: The Camellia sinensis plant. This is either an evergreen shrub or a small tree able to grow up to six metres tall. The leaves are elliptic, bright-green and shiny with slightly hairy undersides. They are minutely serrated at the edges, with each tooth curving partially inwards. And when brewed, they boast a character unlike any other.
However, the term “Leaf Tea” is no longer exclusive to this plant. Countless types of Herbal and Fruit Tea, too, despite not coming from Camellia sinensis, have adopted the honorary title. The technical term for them is “Tisanes,” but few people use the word. The rule of thumb is that, if it doesn’t come in our Plastic Free Tea Bags, it is almost certainly classified as a Loose Tea today.
How to Make Loose Leaf Tea
Whether you buy Loose Leaf Tea of the “real” kind or an honorary member, you’ll want to know what to do with it. The process for How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea can differ depending on the type, so be careful. What we mean here is that you’re not going to want to make Green Tea, say, in the same way you make Hibiscus Tea. The following instructions offer a guide to brewing Black Tea.
1, Put it in a Loose Leaf Tea Infuser.
How much Loose Leaf Tea per cup? One Teaspoon (around five grams) should be fine. All you’ll need to do here is add it to an Infuser, Mesh or Filter.
2, Boil Fresh Water.
Put the kettle on with fresh water for better oxygen levels and, ultimately, better taste. Should you live in a hard water area, we recommend our Heritage Hard Water Tea.
3, Let the Water Cool Briefly.
A temperature of 96°C should suffice for Black Tea. If you had Green or White Tea, it would be better to wait until the water was 80 or 90°C to avoid burning the delicate leaves.
4, Place Tea Infuser in the Cup.
A porcelain cup has the least influence on flavour. It’s worth noting, too, that the same above rules tend to apply when it comes to how to use a Teapot with Loose Tea, but on a grander scale.
5, Pour in Freshly Boiled Water.
Fill your favourite cup or mug with hot water.
6, Allow it to Steep for a Few Minutes.
The best way to steep Loose Leaf Tea is to leave it for three to five minutes.
You’ll next want to think about suitable additions. Dairy Milk or a Milk Alternative for Tea is often the first port of call. There is also the option of having sugar to satisfy the sweet tooth or even honey and lemon. Whatever you decide, you’ll almost certainly find that moving away from Tea Bags isn’t as much of a hardship as you first thought. The question nevertheless begs: What comes afterwards?
How to Dispose of Loose Leaf Tea
Knowing how to brew Loose Leaf Tea is one thing. But you might be anxious about what to do with used Loose Tea leaves after you’ve finished. One solution is, simply, to put them in your food bin. They’re biodegradable, after all, as there are no manmade materials found in the leaves themselves. Tea Bags can be a little more complicated, though not when you buy from us as ours are Plastic Free Tea Bags.
Another option is to compost them. Their nitrogen-boosting effects improve the health of your garden while attracting good bacteria. Your house plants, too, can benefit from their nutrients, and they slightly lower the pH level in the soil. And if that wasn’t enough, they repel pests and fungal diseases. The bottom line is that they are the gift that keeps on giving long after you’ve drained your cup.
Loose Leaf Tea Storage Ideas
What becomes of the leaves you have yet to use? We recommend investing in Loose Leaf Tea containers to ensure they maintain their remarkable character. One of the primary reasons for doing so is that the wrong environment can spell disaster. Those that become damp, for example, are vulnerable to mould. Excessive heat, meanwhile, can destroy flavourful blends. And the same is true of direct sunlight.
It’s also essential to recognise that Tea is hygroscopic in nature. This means that it can absorb moisture and even nearby scents. Keeping it away from Fresh Coffee, then, and even other types of Tea where possible is ideal. You wouldn’t want your First Flush Darjeeling Tea tasting like Pluckley Espresso Roast. Why not buy a Tea Caddy Silver as a first line of defence?
Our Kent-Based Loose Leaf Tea Company
We’ve provided you with the facts. All that’s left is to buy the best Loose Leaf Tea UK from The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Established in 1982, we are a family-run business with over 1,000 types of Tea and 70 types of Coffee. Each one has something unique, indeed extraordinary to offer. You can buy online or visit our Leaf Tea shop here in Pluckley - the choice is yours.
