Burning Questions: loose tea versus bagged
Photo credit: MCT | Teas that are destined to be sold loose are usually hand-picked, after which the whole leaves may be twisted or rolled. Teas destined for these tea bags are picked by machine.
Dessert recipes: Cookies, tarts and more
Holiday gifts for foodies
Good buys for foodies
Erica Marcus answers your Burning Questions
What's the difference between loose-leaf tea and the contents of the average supermarket tea bag?
Tea is nothing more or less than the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. For green tea, the leaves are processed (steamed or roasted) as soon as they are picked; for black tea, the leaves are left to oxidize (and darken) before being processed. (Chamomile, mint and rooibos are not true teas...
