I’m an avid tea drinker, which turns out to be a good thing, since drinking black, green and oolong teas aids alertness and provides the benefits of polyphenols and catechins, antioxidents that studies suggest prevent clogged arteries, especially in women. Benefits of tea drinking may also include prevention of heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney stones, osteoporosis, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, alzheimers, and parkinson’s disease. This is good news, but please remember that these teas also contain caffeine and should be consumed in moderation.
Herbal teas offer many health bonuses as well. To name a few, licorice tea normalizes the appetite, chamomile tea wards off stress and aids sleep, and rose hip tea is high in vitamin c. Please be aware that there can be contraindications and dangers to the over-consumption of certain teas. I mention that not to frighten you, but to remind you that drinking herbal tea does impact your body, so it’s important to do your research.
Besides all of the health benefits, tea is soothing in the winter and just plain delicious. It’s simple to use a tea infusor, and the flavor of loose leaf tea is fuller than that made from a bag. Purchasing tea in bulk also lets you sample a wider variety.
I had a bit of sticker shock the first time I ordered bulk tea, but when I realized it was a bargain compared to fine tea sold in individual tea bags, I recovered. Opinions vary on how many cups you can get from a pound of loose leaf tea, ranging from 200 to 600, depending on how you make it, the size of cup, and if the kind of tea you purchase allows for multiple infusions.
However, we can figure costs by comparing the 453 grams in a pound of tea to the 2.5 grams of an average tea bag. Simple math tells us that a pound of loose leaf tea is equivalent to 181 bags. Compared straight across to quality tea usually sold 20 bags to the package from $4 to $6 (for organic tea), you’d need about 9 boxes at a cost of $36 to $54 for the same amount of loose leaf tea.
Some Loose Leaf Teas to Try
Note: the following content contains my Rose Mountain Herbs affiliate links. Using them is a simple way you can support this site at no additional cost to you.
Breakfast Tea Sampler includes English Breakfast, East Frisian Blend, Scottish Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Mokalbari East Assam, and Ancient Forest teas.
English Breakfast is my husband’s personal favorite. It is so hearty you can substitute it for coffee and feel satisfied.
Earl Grey, one of my all-time favorites, has pleasing citrusy notes because it contains an oil derived from the skin of the bergamot orange.
Darjeeling, the champagne of all teas, is delcate and fragrant.
Classic Chai contains the finest Assam Brokens tea, cardamom, ginger, cloves and cinnamon.
Oolong Chinese Tea Sampler offers a more subtle taste for those who don’t like the sharpness of green tea.
Chamomile, as a loose leaf tea, may surprise you with its delicious flavor. Served with a spoonful of honey, it makes a perfect nightcap.
Digest Tea is helpful to have on hand during the holiday feasting.
Peppermint Tea needs no introduction for most of us. It’s easy on the tummy, contains no caffeine, and is perfect with a touch of lemon and honey.
Rooibos I recently discovered healthful and delicious rooibos tea. Try it to add a little variety to your diet.
When it comes to teas to stock in your pantry this winter, its hard to choose from all the options, but that’s a good problem to have.
Tweetables
- Stay warm this winter by stocking your pantry with this homey item. Click to Tweet.
- The benefits of tea drinking are many. Click to Tweet.
- When it comes to teas to stock in your pantry, its hard to choose. Click to Tweet.
Share Your Knowledge
Have I hit on some of your favorite teas? Are there any I missed you would include?
