Best Tea and Honey Loose Leaf Teas: Starting at the Beginning
It is always amazing to think about the limited availability of loose leaf teas in the United States today. When teas began to arrive on American shores in the early 20th Century, they were quickly absorbed by importers who embraced the latest in mass production techniques - and that meant tea bags for the tea industry! Now, it is important to note that tea bags consist not of leaves, but of what is called “tea dust.” Tea dust is easy to store, compactable, and provides a decent cup of recognizable flavors when brewed. While it is certainly possible to get a fine cup of tea from a teabag, the superiority of loose leaves is a reality that can’t be denied. Just as major league baseball is better than minor league, loose-leaf tea offers a better brew. The unbroken leaves release more flavors as they steep, and they provide a deeper body to the liquor. When you begin exploring the world of tea, start out with this fundamental truth. Teabags are fine, but loose leaves are the real deal!