Loose Leaf Tea

Packed To Order · Smithfield, Virginia

How to Choose a Loose Leaf Tea

Loose leaf tea gives you whole leaves with room to unfurl, so you get a fuller cup than most tea bags and can make it as strong or as gentle as you like. Here is what to look for, and how to find your tea.

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Whole or large-cut leaf

Not fine dust. Bigger leaves brew a rounder, less bitter cup and can often be re-steeped.

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A clear ingredient list

Our teas list every ingredient. Single-origin teas say so; blends name each herb, flower and spice.

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Honest caffeine information

Every product page says whether a tea contains caffeine, so you can choose for the time of day.

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Freshness

We pack to order in small batches rather than filling a warehouse.

Choose a Tea by Type

All five types of tea are in the collection above. Here is a quick guide to how they differ.

Black Tea

Fully oxidized: bold, malty and the most caffeine.

Green Tea

Heated right after picking: fresh, grassy, lighter caffeine.

Oolong & White Tea

Oolong sits between green and black; white is the most delicate.

Herbal Tea

No tea leaves, so most are caffeine-free.

How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Black and herbal teas

Just off the boil, 200–212°F. Steep black tea 3–5 minutes and most herbal blends 5–7 minutes.

Oolong

185–205°F for 2–4 minutes. Keep the leaves: oolongs re-steep three to five times.

Green tea

170–185°F for 2–3 minutes (sencha a little cooler). Too-hot water is the most common cause of bitter green tea.

White tea

175–185°F for 2–4 minutes. Be generous with the leaf; white tea is light and fluffy.

Caffeine at a Glance

  • Black tea: roughly 40–70 mg per 8 oz cup, about half a cup of coffee.
  • Oolong: roughly 30–50 mg per cup.
  • Green tea: roughly 20–45 mg per cup; matcha more, because you drink the whole leaf.
  • White tea: usually less than black tea; it varies with the tea and the steep.
  • Herbal tea: naturally caffeine-free unless it contains tea leaves. Shop our herbal teas and calming teas.

Loose Leaf Tea FAQ

How much loose leaf tea do I use per cup?

About 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz of water. Use more for large, fluffy leaves like white tea and less for dense, rolled leaves like gunpowder or oolong. For a stronger cup, add more leaf rather than steeping longer.

Do I need special equipment?

No. A mug with an infuser basket, a teapot with a strainer, or even a French press all work. The key is giving the leaves room to expand.

Can I re-steep loose leaf tea?

Yes, especially oolong, white and green teas. Add a little time to each steep. Tie Guan Yin can give three to five good cups from one scoop.

Does loose leaf tea expire?

It does not spoil, but it slowly loses aroma. In an airtight tin away from light, heat and strong smells, most tea is at its best within a year; delicate green and white teas within a few months of opening.

Does tea have calories?

Plain brewed tea has almost none, roughly 2 per cup. Milk, sugar and honey add calories.