Choosing which teas to drink can feel challenging. With so many different flavors and health benefits, you may be wondering where to start.
The simple answer - loose leaf tea.
Loose leaf tea is where it’s at when it comes to the healthiest, best-tasting tea. From black and green, to white and pu-erh, to rooibos, oolong and even herbal, loose leaf tea is full of essential vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.
What is Loose Leaf Tea?
In the most simple terms, loose leaf tea is made from the whole leaves of the camellia sinensis tea plant.
The tea that you’ll usually find on grocery store shelves, which is typically dust, fanning, or broken leaf tea, undergoes a process where the leaves are broken or crushed completely before packing them into tea bags, reducing or eliminating any potential health benefits. Loose leaf tea however, is kept in its most natural state. This allows it to retain its full flavor and aroma, and most importantly - its health benefits.
Traditionally, loose leaf tea is brewed by steeping the tea with a steeping ball or infuser, or by using a french press. However, if you’ve never brewed your own tea or this is your first time trying loose leaf tea, it can feel a little overwhelming.
The goal is to slowly and gently steep the tea while still maintaining its quality and taste. You’ll want to use about 1-2 teaspoons of tea for every 8 ounces of water. Strainers and infusers help you to avoid over-steeping and control the flavor intensity of your tea, and you can steep loose leaf tea up to three times.
7 Types of Loose Leaf Tea
Loose leaf tea comes in six different types, each with their own unique flavors and health benefits. All true teas, including black, green, white, oolong, rooibos, and pu-erh, come from the magical camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas, while not true tea, still offer a host of health benefits and flavors.
Black Tea - Black tea goes through a long oxidation process, boosting its levels of nutrients and antioxidants and making it beneficial for heart health and digestion. That oxidation also gives it its bold flavor, dark color, and robust, earthy smell. One cup of black tea contains half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, making it a healthier way to get your morning boost. We recommend trying our Classic Earl Grey or 5-Star Mint Fusion.
Green Tea - The leaves and buds of green tea are harvested before they have become oxidized, helping them to retain their green color and high levels of antioxidants, and giving them a sweet, nutty flavor. Green tea helps with memory and brain function, improves insulin sensitivity, and complements weight loss by boosting your metabolism. Try Champagne & Berries Cheer or Lemon Ginger Crisp.
White Tea - White tea is the purest and least processed of all the teas, with a mild, delicate flavor. The leaves are plucked early in the growing season and are left to dry in the sun, reducing oxidization. White tea is great for reproductive health, can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve brain health, and even help with weight loss. Discover delicious flavors including Spiced Pear and China Jasmine Silver Needle.
Rooibos Tea - Rooibos means ‘red bush’ and originates from the leaves of the South African aspalathus linearis plant. Rich in antioxidants, it’s a wonderful choice for heart health, reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and helping with digestion. It also contains alpha hydroxy acids that help maintain healthy skin and hair. Try Caribbean Dreams or South African Cape Nectar.
Oolong Tea - The flavor of oolong falls somewhere in between black and green tea. It’s great for preventing or reducing inflammation, and helps to boost brain health and weight loss. You’ll find oolong tea leaves rolled into different shapes, creating a variety of different flavors, from bold to exceptionally smooth. Try Riviera Mimosa or Tropical Island Nights.
Pu’erh Tea - With a robust, earthy flavor, pu’erh is the only fermented tea, making it the perfect choice for anyone with digestive issues. The leaves are plucked and quickly dried, slowing down oxidation, followed by microbial fermentation. It’s known for its medicinal properties, from lowering blood pressure, helping with weight loss and digestion, and providing stress relief. See for yourself with Pu’erh Chai Wisdom or Soothing Pu’erf Leaf.
Herbal Tea - If you’re looking to boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, or get better sleep, choose an herbal tea like Healthy Detox or Lavender Chamomile Synergy. Also known as Tisane tea, herbal tea is a blend of different herbs, leaves, fruits, edible flowers, and spices, and does not contain leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Rich in flavor, herbal tea is a great choice for those wanting something caffeine free.
Loose leaf tea is better for you and the environment. Plus, it’s absolutely delicious!
Luckily, at IngenuiTea we’ve made it as simple as it gets with our loose leaf, biodegradable pyramid sachets. It feels the same as a traditional tea bag, but without the mess or impact on the environment. Simply toss when you’re done or add it to your compost pile.
And make sure to check out our full line of organic, loose leaf teas featuring distinct flavors and a multitude of health benefits. We guarantee it’ll be hard to pick a favorite!