Loose Leaf Tea

My exploration of the world of tea has led me to the inevitable standoff between whether the leaves be loosed or bagged. Bagged teas are the norm, and are certainly more convenient. My kitchen worktop has to be wiped down more frequently for having spilled some of the precious tea leaves on their journey from packet to cup. Yet loose tea seems to be dearer than its bagged competitor, even though common sense dictates that it ought to be cheaper on account of its reduced processing and the saved costs of manufacturing and filling the bags. Loose tea aficionado Aimee Bennet wrote back in March on the Adams & Russell site that on the grounds of cost, freshness, taste, aroma and storage, loose leaves have the upper hand; on convenience, the two are neck and neck (use of a strainer versus removing a soggy bag), but on brewing she concedes:

The one downfall of loose leaf, it does take longer to brew. But, good things come to those who wait. Although loose leaf may take a couple of minutes longer, many don’t mind this small sacrifice for the flavour and freshness they receive in return. It takes a little longer to brew as there is a smaller surface area due to the large leaves. This requires a bit more time to fully extract the flavours. As the fine powder in bags has such a large surface area this takes no time at all to brew, and is often accidentally over steeped.

Although there are plenty who rave about the loose tea’s superior taste, I cannot tell the difference (I would be pleased to arrange a blind taste test for such a one). I sometimes scoop my loose-leaf tea into a cup without straining. I derived pleasure last week from the facial expression of a house guest (who calls all too often) gulping down the last drop and finding his mouth and throat lined with bits. Yet Bennet’s comment about good things coming to those who wait set me thinking. If a tea-drinker must wait for the process of infusion if he is to truly savour a good cuppa, how much more the Christian who is promised Christ’s riches but must toil and endure in this world for the time being? In Revelation 14:12-13, we read:

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them.” (New King James Version)

Generally speaking, the cheapest baubles, like fast food, are given quickly and hastily, but do us least good. That which is worth keeping is also worth the wait in getting. Consider this the next time your tea brews.