Not all tea is equal.
There is loose leaf, whole leaf, satchel tea, tea bags, organic vs non-organic, and so much more.
And of course, we have our own biases - It’s organic loose-leaf tea.
Organic loose-leaf tea has several benefits over tea bags and/or conventionally grown tea. First, and foremost to us, organic tea is free from harmful chemicals, making it healthier for you to drink. However, practices still do vary widely, and it takes lots of energy to be sure what you are getting.
Let’s take a close look at two images to examine quality.
Tea Pouch
This is a standard tea bag. Essentially, it is filled with what is called tea dust. Most tea bags hold about 1.5 - 3 grams of tea dust. The quality of this type of ingredient is considered to be on the lower end by industry standards.
Loose Leaf Tea
This is loose leaf tea. It contains larger ingredient pieces. This difference in quality is notable. We suggest finding out for yourself by making a cup of each. Pay attention to texture, aroma, and smell. If you want to be serious about it, have a friend help you make them and then serve you without you knowing what is what.
Products with larger ingredient sizes are called whole leaf tea. For example, take a look at the two pictures below. Each is an image of chamomile. One is from a large retail line of tea bags. The other is our Organic Egyptian Chamomile we use in Cozy Chamomile.
It doesn’t take long to start noticing the flavor, texture and aroma difference. This is why we only do organic loose leaf. A great option if you like whole leaf tea is the new pyramid pouches. They can hold a more voluminous product and thus allow for a great tea flavor and experience.
Protect the People and Planet
Conventionally grown tea is often treated with synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that can have negative effects on your health. Modern pesticide application has lowered the exposure of pesticides and fertilizers for many, but they are still present when tested for residue on leaves.
Organic farming practices promote biodiversity and sustainability, which helps to protect the soil, water, and wildlife. By choosing organic tea, you have a greater likelihood of supporting farmers who are committed to growing tea in a way that's better for the planet and the leaf quality.
Organic loose-leaf tea also tends to have a better flavor and aroma than conventionally grown tea or tea bags - although this will be hotly debated for years to come.
Where To Buy Organic Loose-Leaf Tea
Of course, you can choose our blends that are made completely with organic ingredients or grown with organic practices. But be a good consumer and shop around for what best fits your needs and price point. Health food stores, specialty tea shops, and online retailers all carry a variety of organic loose-leaf teas.
Not all countries apply the same quality standards for organic practices. This makes it important to check if your supplier tests the product they sell. Larger wholesalers provide most of the tea to smaller companies.
It is as easy as checking out their website or reaching out to them to get the information you are looking for.
You Decide
Our mission is for you to find the best cup of tea for you. Testing different teas can be quite tricky at times so don’t get overwhelmed if you test different teas of a varying quality and find that you can’t taste a difference.
If you are new to tea and herbal blends, give yourself some time to adjust to the nuances of learning flavor profiles.
If anything, make sure you enjoy the experience. It isn’t something to be stressed about. While we love loose leaf organic teas, you might prefer something different or more convenient. And that is okay. You do you.