The Ultimate Guide to Loose Leaf Tea - How to Brew, Where to Buy, and My Favorite Teas
Discover the benefits of loose-leaf tea, how to brew it, where to buy it, and why it’s better than tea bags. Plus, my favorite teas, infusers, and iced tea recipes.
I’ve been drinking tea ever since I can remember. My first tea was Red Rose Tea, and I loved the little figurines that came inside the box. Over time, tea became more than just a drink—it was a ritual, a comfort, and something I looked forward to every day.
As I got more into tea, I made the transition from tea bags to loose-leaf tea, and I’ll never go back. Most tea bags contain lower-quality tea, often the dregs or the shake of the tea family—tiny, broken tea leaves that steep quickly but lack the complexity and richness of whole leaves. Loose-leaf tea is a completely different experience. The leaves have space to expand, infuse, and fully develop their flavors. If you’ve only ever had tea from a bag, switching to loose-leaf tea will completely change how you experience tea.
I also don’t drink coffee. I’m pretty sensitive to caffeine, gluten, and alcohol so I need to be mindful of what I put into my body. A cup of coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine, whereas black tea has about 40-70 mg, green tea (which is what I drink most of the time) has 30-50 mg, and herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. Because of this, I’ve found a rhythm with tea that keeps me energized without making me jittery.
Tea is also a huge part of my hydration routine. I aim to drink a gallon of water a day when I’m at my best, and herbal tea is a great way to stay hydrated in a way that feels more enjoyable than just drinking plain water. Plus, my tea ritual helps create built-in breaks in my day. When I step away from my work to make tea, it gives my mind a chance to quiet down. Sometimes, I use that time to reflect on my next creative project, and other times, I just take a deep breath before diving back into deep work. And when I sit down with a warm cup of loose-leaf tea next to me, it helps me feel grounded and focused—like while I’m writing this blog post for you.
If you’re ready to explore the world of loose-leaf tea, I’ve put together an Amazon Loose Leaf Tea Edit with my favorite teas, infusers, and tools to get you started.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea
Brewing loose-leaf tea is simple, but the key is using quality ingredients and the right brewing method. Here’s exactly how I make my perfect cup:
Start with Good Water
A good friend of mine who owns a coffee company in Lodi, California, Java Stop, once told me: "Coffee is only as good as the water you brew it with." -Kelly Brown, The same is true for tea. I always use spring water or filtered water. If your tap water has an off taste, use a Brita or Berkey filter—bad water will ruin the flavor of your tea.
Boil the Water for your tea
I use an electric tea kettle to bring my water to the right temperature. Different teas require different water temperatures:
Green tea: ~175°F (below boiling)
Black tea: ~200°F (just under boiling)
Herbal teas: ~212°F (boiling)
If you don’t have a kettle with temperature control, bring the water to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds before pouring it over green tea to avoid bitterness.
Use a Loose Leaf Tea Infuser
A tea infuser is essential for brewing loose-leaf tea. My go-to is a tea infuser basket that sits in my cup, allowing the leaves to fully expand and circulate.
Here are my four favorite loose-leaf tea infusers:
Cups with Tea Infuser Baskets – My everyday go-to, and I love this one because it’s a cat
Disposable Loose Leaf Tea Bags – Great for on-the-go brewing, I always bring these on my ski trips
Tea Balls – Small, travel-friendly, but with less water circulation. I keep these in my short-term rentals like Kona Landing
Tea Pot Sets with Built-in Infusers – Convenient and easy to clean. I use these when I’m making tea for my friends
Steep the Tea
The steeping time depends on the type of tea:
Green tea: 2–3 minutes
Black tea: 5–7 minutes
Herbal tea: 7+ minutes
Steeping too long makes tea bitter, so I always set a timer.
Customize Your Tea
I sometimes drink my loose-leaf tea plain, but I also love experimenting. Here are a few of my favorite ways to customize my cup:
Honey & cream – My go-to for black tea
Bulletproof-style tea – I blend coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and heavy cream using a milk frother for a creamy, energizing drink
Iced loose-leaf tea – More on this below
How to Store Loose Leaf Tea for Maximum Freshness
Proper storage is essential to keep loose-leaf tea fresh, flavorful, and aromatic. Tea leaves are delicate and can absorb moisture, odors, and light, which can degrade their quality over time. Here’s how I store my loose-leaf tea to keep it tasting its best.
Best Containers for Loose Leaf Tea
I use airtight containers to protect my tea from air, moisture, and light. Here are my favorite types of loose-leaf tea storage containers:
Glass Jars with Airtight Lids – Aesthetic and practical, but best for teas stored in a dark place
Metal Tea Tins – Great for blocking out light and keeping tea fresh
Ceramic Canisters – Stylish and airtight, perfect for storing tea on a countertop
Light Tight Containers – Ideal for protecting tea from light exposure
Tea Storage Tips
Keep it airtight: Oxygen can make tea stale faster, so always store it in a container with a tight seal.
Store in a cool, dark place: Heat and light can degrade the flavor of tea, so keep it in a cupboard or drawer rather than on the counter.
Avoid strong odors: Tea leaves absorb scents easily. Store tea away from spices, coffee, and other fragrant foods.
Label your tea: If you have multiple teas, label your containers with the name and date of purchase so you can track freshness.
With the right storage, loose-leaf tea can stay fresh for up to a year—sometimes longer for certain varieties like black tea. Keeping your tea in airtight containers not only preserves flavor but also makes your tea shelf look beautiful and organized.
Loose Leaf Green Tea
Green tea is made from unoxidized leaves, making it one of the least processed teas and rich in antioxidants. My favorite is Jasmine Green Tea Pearls, which I buy in bulk 1-pound bags on Amazon.
Loose Leaf Black Tea
Black tea is fully oxidized, giving it a bold flavor and higher caffeine content than green tea. Some of my favorites:
Organic Loose Leaf Tea
When a tea is labeled organic, it means it’s grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. If you prefer organic loose-leaf tea, here are four options I recommend:
Iced Loose Leaf Tea
I love iced tea, especially in warmer months. Here’s how I make it:
Cold Brew Method
Add 2 tablespoons of loose-leaf tea to a large mason jar or pitcher
Fill with cold water and refrigerate overnight (8–12 hours)
Strain and serve over ice
Quick Brew Method
Brew tea as usual but double the amount of tea leaves
Pour over a glass filled with ice
Add honey or lemon for extra flavor
Here are four tools I recommend for making iced loose-leaf tea:
Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags
If you’re still using tea bags, it’s time to switch to loose leaf tea for a better, richer tea experience. Unlike tea bags, which often contain broken tea dust, loose leaf tea is made from whole leaves, resulting in a full-bodied, complex flavor instead of the flat, one-dimensional taste of bagged tea. With loose leaf tea, you also have more control over your brew—you can adjust the strength to your preference and even re-steep the leaves multiple times (although I never do this), whereas tea bags are typically meant for a single use. If you love tea and want the best quality and flavor, making the switch to loose leaf tea is the way to go.
Switching to loose leaf tea makes such a difference. The flavors are more vibrant, the ingredients are fresher, and the experience is just more enjoyable.
If you're ready to upgrade your tea game, check out my Amazon Loose Leaf Tea Edit for all my favorite teas, infusers, and accessories. Happy sipping!
