Welcome! This site is an introduction to loose tea leaves for anyone who has never used them, is curious about them or is ready to try them out. Because the variety of tea is pretty much endless it might be overwhelming to know where to start. Here you will be able to find information about three very popular loose leaf teas (black, green and white), distinctions and differences between the tea leaf and a tea bag, how to brew loose leaf teas and places where you can buy great tea!
If your only tea experiences have been those with tea bags, you will find that loose leaves are distinctly different. (And if you have had a bad experience with a tea bag, don't be discouraged to try loose leaves!) It is common for tea made from tea bags to require adding lemon and honey or sugar and milk in order to balance the slight bitterness. The bitterness that comes with tea bags is caused because tea bags tend to release more of the tea's tannins (pigments that are part of the chemical make up of the plant, usually the Camellia Sinensis, giving the tea its flavor and color - tannins are also found in wine and chocolate).
While brewing with loose leaf tea uses the full size leaves (a couple centimeters up to an inch in length), tea bags contain only small particles of the leaves which are also known as fannings or dust. These are considered very low quality in comparison to the full tea leaves. You may find that your cup of tea brews faster with a tea bag, but unlike with a tea bag, leaves create a more flavorful beverage and can be reused several times before the flavor fades.