Getting Started With Loose Leaf Tea

Loose-leaf tea doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Its simplicity or complexity depends on your own personal preference. In its simplest form, you can enjoy tea with any basic coffee mug you have around the house, and a large mesh strainer. Loose leaf teas, unlike those that come in a bag, need room to expand -- tea bags or tiny infuser baskets will not produce the quality of tea expected from loose leaf teas. Please refer to our article for more information: Why tea-bags and tea-infusers are bad.

Basic Tea Steeping Principles

Loose-leaf tea can be steeped multiple times

Most loose leaf teas can be steeped six to eight times. Some pu-erh teas can even be steeped more than eight times. If you don't have time to resteep your loose-leaf tea leaves, place the wet leaves in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them. Because the leaves will most likely lose some of their flavor, it is recommended not to leave the tea leaves in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours. The bottom line is, don't throw tea leaves out after only one steeping: reuse tea leaves to experience all the flavors and experiences the tea has to offer. We have put together a simple steeping guide to get you started and to offer you tips and guidelines. Play around with the steeping times and water temperatures to find the "sweet spot" with each tea, as each person has different tastes.

Easy Teas to Start With

	Golden Bi Luo Our Golden Bi Luo is a twisted Yunnan Gold tea; the translation means "tiny snail," as the leaves are rolled into shapes that resemble tiny snails. As the tea steeps, the leaves open up, releasing flavor with each subsequent steep. This tea is a great coffee replacement and is a great black tea to try if you are tired of bitter black teas or if you would like to be reacquainted with the world of black tea.
	David's Green Private Reserve If you like green tea, this is bound to be a new favorite in your tea cabinet. It is a pleasant green tea, and if brewed properly, is not bitter at all. If green tea you've had has been bitter, follow our steeping instructions and you'll be introduced to a whole new world of green tea.
	Wild Orange Pu-erh If you are intrigued by the world of pu-erh tea, this is a great starter. Pu-erh is tea that has been aged; our wild orange pu-erh has been aging in man-made caves since 2005. Pu-erh teas generally become smoother with age, much like a fine wine. Not only does this tea taste great, it looks great too!