Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags - What's the Difference?

There is a very real difference between loose leaf and specialty tea compared to tea made from tea bags.

Generally speaking, loose leaf tea is processed by the Prthodox Method that has been provedn to create quality tea throughour the ages. Using the Orthodox method, the whole leaf and bud structure can be maintained . It is almost universally agreed among tea entusiasts that the Orthodox Method prepares a more robust, flavorful tea drink.

Bagged tea, on the other hand uses the CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) method that is based upon machine processing of the whole leafs that results in small cut pieces that are called fannings and dust and create little flavor. Machine processing is required because the cost of packaging (the bag is an extra cost) which requires high volume processing in order to be price competitive. The result, however is a tea drink that is weak and watery in flavor.

Whole leaf teas are unable to be used in ordinary tea bags because the paper bag does not allow whole leaf expansion and infusion. Some whole leaf reas are marketed in silk bags that do allow expansion but are very expensive.

If you want whole leaf flavor and value - stay with loose leaf tea.