What Is Loose Leaf Tea Used For?
Dating back to ancient China centuries ago, loose leaf tea has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes. In modern times, loose leaf tea continues to be popular due to its many other uses.
Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags
Whereas prepackaged tea bags tend to be made up of lower-grade, broken tea leaves, whole-leaf loose tea tends to be of higher quality. With loose leaf tea, waste is minimized as you can control the amount you use. Due to the absence of a bag, loose leaf tea reduces waste and is better for the environment.
How You Can Benefit From Loose Leaf Tea
After water, tea is the most consumed drink in the world. Loose leaf tea will yield a more aromatic, valuable, and flavorful result. However, there’s more to tea than just the taste!
Drink
For many, tea brings to mind comfort and soothing during a time of sickness, whether physically or emotionally. Drinking tea can provide a relaxing experience that can help heal a sore throat and calm the mind. As an alternative to drinking hot tea, tea over ice can be refreshing and invigorating. The caffeine in your cup of tea can provide a wake-up to get your day going! Loose leaf tea is also great for steeping in alcohol, like sangria, rum, or bourbon.
Food
Next time you find yourself in the kitchen baking, try swapping out water for your favorite loose leaf tea. You can find tons of great recipes online for tea-infused desserts such as cakes, brownies, and cookies.
Health
A high-quality loose leaf tea will produce an exceptional value to your health. Studies have demonstrated that the antioxidants found in tea can lower cholesterol and blood sugar.
Gardening
Loose leaf tea is rich in nutrients that help your plants grow. Make fertilizer out of your whole tea leaves, or mix some of the tea leaves in with your plants.
Beauty
Loose leaf tea is known for being especially fragrant. Soak tea leaves in your bathtub to create a tranquil, aromatic experience. With minimal materials, you can also use loose leaf tea as a facial or body mask, scrub, or toner. Tea leaves are also beneficial for puffy, sore eyes.
Household
After steeping loose tea leaves, you can use the tea to clean and deodorize spaces around the house. Carpets, refrigerators, shoes, and appliances are some of the areas your tea can tackle. If you want to get more use of your used tea leaves, use them as potpourri in the bathroom, car, drawers, or other places around the house.
Art
Loose tea leaves are a great tool for dying fabric naturally. Tea leaves can be used as watercolor paints for cards and other projects. Sharing tea with others makes for a great gift!
Take Your Tea to the Next Level
Loose leaf tea has so many practical uses. While it’s most common to drink tea after steeping it in hot water or using an infuser, make the most of your tea by using it to benefit your health and beauty, try new recipes, strengthen your plants, keep your home smelling good, as well as making art.