There are countless tea brands out there, and, understandably, that confuses a lot of people. Your choice will depend on many criteria, but to make your life a bit easier we have found 5 interesting loose leaf herbal teas that might suit your taste.
Vahdam Green Tea (under $15)
If you're a fan of classic green tea, you can't go wrong with Vahdam. The Indian tea company has harvested some of the world's best green tea leaves (packed with powerful antioxidants) without any additives. Each batch comes vacuum-packed to preserve freshness and then packaged in an opaque green bag to protect it from the sun's destructive rays. Perfectly brewed hot or served as iced tea, it packs a flavorful punch. The company behind it is also serious about protecting the environment, as it has been certified carbon and plastic neutral for its efforts to reduce and neutralize any waste.
Heavenly Tea Leaves 9 Flavor Variety Pack (under $30)
Most people are used to a small selection of tea varieties, mostly green and black. But there are so many varieties out there, and they all have different flavors and aromas. This pack of nine different varieties gives you a wealth of choices beyond the standard supermarket fair, each containing about ten servings. Some of the more exotic choices include white tea and decoction herbal tea. The entire assortment is packaged in eco-friendly packaging, which would also make a great housewarming or holiday gift.
Earl Grey Black Tea by Harney & Sons (under $10)
Made from superior teas from India and China, this classic Earl Grey drink, named after Britain's longtime prime minister, is blended with bergamot oil for a nice strong citrus note that wafts through every sip. The beautiful tin helps keep it fresh and holds 4 ounces of product - enough to brew about 40 cups of tea. Hand-packed in upstate New York, it has one of the boldest flavor profiles of any on our list, with a rich medium flavor that's a pleasure to drink. Simply add a teaspoon of tea to each desired cup and let it infuse for five minutes before enjoying.
Simple Blood Orange Leaf Tea (under $15)
Looking for something flavorful but decaf? Simple loose leaf tea is exactly what you're looking for. The brand sells a wide variety of herbal teas, one of which is sure to suit your taste, whether it's black orange, citrus hibiscus, plain raspberry, or any of a variety of other blends. And despite their strong taste, these teas are caffeine-free, making them perfect for when you need to calm down and relax.
Tealyra Gekuro Green Leaf (under $55)
You can find the best teas on Amazon without spending a lot of money. A great example is a bag of Tealyra Gyokuro green loose leaf tea. Despite its minimalist packaging, it contains premium Gekuro leaves grown in Yama, Japan.
Green tea contains about half as much caffeine as black tea. So, if you want to drink black tea but are concerned about the caffeine content, Tealyra Gyokuro green tea would be a better option than Twinings English Breakfast tea.
Also, this rare Gekuro tea has a distinctly mild but fresh aroma with an umami flavor. Traditional Gekuro leaves have thin chunks, but the more affordable price has led to chopped chunks in this package. Nevertheless, you can brew the leaves in a traditional pot or kettle.
What to look for when buying tea?
When searching for the best tea, it is important that you evaluate each product according to the following factors.
Ingredients
Tea can be grown all over the world, and its origin will affect the taste of the blend. Some companies even combine teas of different origins to get the perfect taste. Thus, if you know you like Assamese or Ceylon tea, be sure to check the product origin labels to get an idea of what it will taste like. For example, tea made in Rwandan tea gardens in Africa will taste completely different from tea from the Daintree rainforests of Australia's Far North. This is because the climate of the area imparts flavor to the leaves as they grow. This is especially noticeable in regular black tea because it takes longer to grow than green tea or varieties of white tea.
Caffeine levels
Black tea is known for its strength, both in taste and caffeine content. This affects both your heart health and the amount you can drink each day. It is important to consume all of these teas in moderation and to consult your doctor if you have any health problems. It's worth noting that teas can be caffeine-free, either naturally or with chemicals, and you can buy brews that are safer to drink for those who avoid caffeine. Even at home, by brewing tea for thirty seconds, discarding the tea, and then reusing the same tea leaves or tea bag in new water, you can remove large amounts of caffeine from your cup of tea.
Ethics
Not all countries have benefited equally from the global market, and it is important that you make sure that the tea leaves in the blends you buy are from sustainable sources. Many products will state where they get their ingredients from and how they handle the environmental impact of their products.
Brewing methods
While the merits of loose leaf tea versus bagged tea are always debatable, it is important to consider how you will brew your tea. For everyday purposes, many of us are reluctant to mess around with tea kettles and strainers, which makes bagged tea a useful way to make convenient cups. This is especially true if you plan to share your tea with others, as your office staff or family members may be reluctant to fumble with a strainer.
