Embrace the leaves, unbind the strings,
Let fragrant vapors take their wings.
A medley of hues, a tapestry,
Loose leaf tea, a symphony.
The art of brewing a cup of tea is an ancient ritual. Before the invention of the tea bag in the early 20th Century, loose leaf tea was the only way to enjoy a cup. It’s a testament to the significance of this method that it has endured to this day.
What is it about loose leaf tea that keeps people coming back to it? When everything else around us is moving faster, and we’re all working to make things more efficient, more streamlined, faster and faster, loose leaf tea remains unchanged and unhurried.
Let’s go back to where it all began; with the colours, shapes, flavours and aromas of one of nature's most versatile plants, enjoyed slowly, one sip at a time.
Loose leaf, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways.
Complexity of flavour
Loose leaf tea offers a uniquely complex and amplified flavour, giving drinkers a rich and nuanced cup. This complexity also gives blenders more freedom to curate new flavour profiles by experimenting with quantities, blends, water temperature and steeping times.
But where does this complexity come from? Let’s get geeky.
Tea Geekery AKA Leaf grading
There are hundreds of different tea leaf types and grades and, in the intricate world of tea geekery, each tells a story of its quality, attributes, harvest conditions and size.
In simple terms, tea grades look a little something like this:
- Orthodox
- Broken Leaf
- CTC (named after the CTC or “Cut, Tear, Curl” Machine invented to process tea leaves in the early 20th Century)
This grading system weaves a kind of secret language with acronyms and words like Tippy, Fanning and Special, painting a picture of the artistry involved in the process.
‘Orthodox’ grade tea is made using a whole leaf tea-making tradition that predates the CTC machine. These Large leaf grades evoke artisanal elegance, giving drinkers a variety of liquors and, for premium blends like Oolongs and Darjeelings, the ability to re-steep the leaves.
The ‘Broken’ grade tea involves smaller sized pieces, while ‘CTC’ indicates more granular fragments. While CTC grade teas look similar, they come with different regional attributes like the malty richness of Assam or the bright liveliness of Kenyan blends.
Mindful rituals
Brewing a cup of tea is an act of mindfulness. Every step, from measuring the leaves, steeping them in a teapot or infuser, to pouring that perfect cup is an opportunity to clear your mind of everything but the task at hand.
A shared experience
There is something so special about preparing a pot of tea for two (or more!). Tea is an activity in itself, and sitting together to enjoy a cup made with love is a timeless, communal experience. This simple ceremony has always brought people together, in good times and bad, and it brings out the best in us.
Good for us, good for the environment
Tea is high in antioxidants, polyphenols and l-theanine, and loose leaf tea may contain higher concentrations of these nutrients, giving you a truly nourishing cup.
Steeped tea leaves are also an excellent source of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, making them perfect for adding to compost bins or straight into the garden.
Never tried loose leaf tea before? Buy some today and take your tea ritual to next level.
