Bags vs. Tea Balls vs. 100% Loose Leaf

[Jonathan Morgan]

So, we've all heard this before. Some people swear by their brewing method and are convinced that it creates a far more palatable tea for consuming.

Now that I've found a rather large group of tea enthusiasts, I'd love to hear your opinions on it. Is there any validity to the claims of "the looser the leaf, the better the tea"? I will say that I prefer any method over tea bags because I taste more bitter notes in the stronger black teas I like when I use a bagged brand.

So, which is it? Bags, balls, or nothing at all? Feel free to get into the science behind your position if you want. There's PLENTY there to discuss.

[Betsy C.]

I have a spoon with two halves that hold the tea, with holes to let the water in and out. It looks kind of like this, only it says "W. GERMANY" on the back, so it must have been made before the Berlin Wall was torn down. I use it for convenience and because the loose bits of tea clean out easily. Also, I think the West Germany thing is cool. The tea strainer spoon is older than I am!

[Terry]

I like lose leaf, but I usually have to buy bags for it.

[Laur Annie]

I buy loose leaf tea, for the most part, but use bags for it. Can't STAND tea balls of any kind.

[flybat3]

i use bags......its all that i have available right now.

[Laur Annie]

Can I just say how much I freakin love your avatar? Possibly one of the most adorable things I've ever seen.

[Jessie Scott]

I concur.

[flybat3]

Thanks, just look up tea avatars on google........lol.

[Laur Annie]

I had just ended up googling "tea plushies," hahaha. Seeing it up close makes me want to figure out how to make it even more, though...

[Jessie Scott]

I mainly use tea bags because it's convenient, I don't own any teabags. I do loose leaf occasionally when I get it loose from the store (teavana) but it's kinda pricey. I would like to bring up the point of how adorable tea balls can be, for example: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31cvBOA7fhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Monika Arbudzinski]

I really like to mix different flavors, so I might use a combination of all three sometimes. Whatever I have on hand, really. Though, if I'm having just plain Jasmine tea, I like it loose leaf. I dunno why, I just do.

[Taylor]

I use loose leaf tea, but I use a teapot that has a strainer thingy in it. I drink far too much tea not to have a teapot. I love my teapot: http://www.gongfu-tea.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=164

[Emily Zhu]

I like to use tea bags for convenience, but my family has a bunch of loose leaf green tea, so I always end up using it.