What's the Difference Between Loose Leaf and Teabags?

[Zanaspus]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Flavorwise, what's the difference? Is loose leaf superior to teabags, and if so, with my inexperienced palate would I notice any difference?

Night and day really. The first thing you'll notice about whole leaves is they're not as "strong" tasting as broken leaves or fannings and dust used in bags. The flavors are more subtle, but there's so much more there to taste. Non-broken blacks are hard to find but can be gotten.

Generally, when I think whole leaf, I think green, oolong, or mao cha(the leaves before they are pressed into cakes for pu-erh). These teas are not cream and sugar, but straight drinkers as cream and sugar would mask everything. I know I sound like a broken record, but if you go this route, get a cheap gaiwan and experiment with gong fu brewing (lots of leaf, very short infusion times).

The other thing about whole leaf is they are more "durable." There are whole leaf blacks that can take 5 short steeps. There are good oolongs and pu-erhs which I get 20-30 steeps out of (small cup a la the Chinese is the route).

Probably more than you wanted to hear.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by Zanaspus

Night and day really. The first thing you'll notice about whole leaves is they're not as "strong" tasting as broken leaves or fannings and dust used in bags. The flavors are more subtle, but there's so much more there to taste. Non-broken blacks are hard to find but can be gotten.

So if I like my tea somewhat stronger and use sweetener, then I should probably stick with tea bags?

[Zanaspus]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

So if I like my tea somewhat stronger and use sweetener, then I should probably stick with tea bags?

Well, the simple answer is yes, but if I may use an analogy, "If I like Padrons, I should just stick to Padron's?" A bit over-simplified, but you get the point. I was a black tea drinker (cream and sugar) for many years before I went to the dark side. It's yet another slippery slope. It's up to you if you want to peer over the precipice.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by md4958

As far as flavor, it could probably be compared to longfiller handmade cigars, and shortfiller machine made.

Originally Posted by Zanaspus

Well, the simple answer is yes, but if I may use an analogy, "If I like Padrons, I should just stick to Padron's?"

Whodathunkit? Cigar references used to describe tea.

Actually, the cigar analogies work well in explaining the difference. Thanks guys.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Whodathunkit? Cigar references used to describe tea.

Why not? I can remember times when my RyJ Cazadore tasted like tea with honey, or my black tea reminded me of a Monte 4.

I can say that in two teas I drink straight Green Tea and Jasmine........I really am not interested in anything but loose leaf and the fuller the better.