The Case for Loose Leaf (Over Bags)

Teabags contain what the industry politely calls 'fannings' and 'dust' — the broken fragments left over after grading whole leaves. They brew fast and taste flat. The fast brew is by design (a teabag has to deliver something drinkable in 60 seconds in a hotel room) but it comes at the cost of nuance, complexity, and finish.

Loose leaf costs roughly the same per cup once you do the math. A 100g tin of decent loose-leaf English Breakfast yields about 40 cups; a box of 80 'gold standard' teabags yields about 80. The per-cup price is within pennies of each other. The difference in cup quality is the difference between instant coffee and a pour-over.

We tested eight household brands blind, with five tasters. In every category — English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Sencha, Oolong — the loose leaf won unanimously. Even the cheapest loose-leaf in our test (a £6/100g bulk Assam) outperformed the supermarket's premium pyramid bag of the same tea.

You don't need much equipment to switch. A simple stainless mesh basket that drops into your existing mug. A kettle. A timer (your phone will do). Total cost: under £10. The leaves themselves are easier to find than ever — most decent specialist online shops will deliver to your door within a week.

Start with one tea you already love in bag form, buy the loose-leaf equivalent, and brew them side by side. Once you see the gap, you can't unsee it.