Loose leaf tea & herbal tea blends

Choosing loose leaf tea

Loose leaf tea uses whole or large pieces of leaf, so it brews a fuller flavour than the fine dust in most tea bags. Tea bags are quicker, so loose leaf earns its place on taste, choice and no plastic in the bag. Look for whole leaves, real fruit and flowers in blends and a resealable pouch or tin. Camellios makes the largest range here, including English breakfast, spiced apple chai, jasmine and mint green tea, tropical rooibos and peachy chamomile. Every tea here met our standard on ingredients and transparency.

Organic herbal tea

Herbal tea is made from flowers, leaves, roots and fruit rather than the tea plant, so most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. The Herbtender makes organic herbal teas such as Good Night, Pure Focus, And Breathe and Vital Glow, plus organic herbal tea sets. Clean U Skincare makes a dandelion loose leaf tea, and Flawless makes loose leaf rooibos. Herbal tea is a good choice for the evening if you are cutting down on caffeine. Loose leaf herbal tea also lets you see exactly what is in the cup, such as whole chamomile flowers or rooibos needles. Most loose leaf herbal teas can be steeped twice, so you get two cups from one spoonful.

Herbal tea blends and botanical teas

Herbal tea blends combine several plants for a rounder flavour, such as chamomile with peach or ginger with lemon. Catalyse Life Drinks makes luxury and energy botanical loose leaf blends and a relaxation ritual kit, and The Sabi makes calm and digestive herbal blends. Check each listing for ingredients if you are pregnant or taking medication, as some herbs are not suitable.

Brewing tips and tea gifts

Use a teaspoon of leaves per cup, water just off the boil for black and herbal tea, and slightly cooler water for green tea. Steep black tea for three to four minutes and herbal tea for five or more. So Just Shop makes tea gift sets that support artisan communities. Organic Tea lists the organic range, Food & Drink Gifts has more presents, Kombucha turns tea into a sparkling drink, and Sleep Better gathers evening teas and more.