Collection: Loose Leaf Tea

About our loose leaf teas

Loose leaf is how most herbal teas are drunk outside the UK — measured by eye, steeped in a pot or a glass, and adjusted to taste. Once you're used to it, it's no more effort than a tea bag, and you get more out of each gram of herb.

Our loose leaf range covers most of the herbs in our bagged collection — peppermint, ginger, lemongrass, hibiscus, rooibos, echinacea, lemon verbena and turmeric — alongside a few that are only available in loose form, including our Stevia leaf and Yerba Mate. Everything is Soil Association certified organic under our licence DA25511 and packed in-house in Leicestershire.

How to brew loose leaf herbal tea

You don't need specialist equipment. A fine-mesh tea strainer over a mug, a lidded teapot, or a simple infuser basket all do the job. Use roughly one heaped teaspoon per 250 ml of water, pour over freshly boiled water, and steep for the time that suits the herb:

• Peppermint, lemon verbena, lemongrass: 3–5 minutes.
• Hibiscus: 4–6 minutes for a deep colour and full flavour.
• Ginger, turmeric: 7–10 minutes, or simmer gently in a small pan for a few minutes if you want a stronger, more warming cup.
• Rooibos: 5–6 minutes. Naturally sweet and hard to over-brew.
• Echinacea: 5 minutes. A robust herb — give it the full time.
• Yerba Mate: 3–5 minutes in water just off the boil (not a rolling boil) to keep the flavour balanced.

Cover while steeping to hold in the aromatic oils. Adjust the quantity up or down to find the strength you prefer — loose leaf is forgiving.

Packaging

Our loose leaf teas are packed in resealable pouches, recyclable at supermarket collection points. Resealing between uses helps keep the herbs fresh — see storage notes below.

Storing loose leaf tea

Keep loose leaf teas in an airtight container, away from direct light and strong-smelling foods. Stored this way, most will hold their flavour well for 18–24 months, though they're at their best within the first year of purchase.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to brew loose leaf tea?

A tea strainer and a mug is all you need. A fine-mesh strainer works well for most herbs. For larger cut pieces — ginger root or turmeric — even a coarser strainer will do.

How much loose leaf per cup?

One heaped teaspoon per 250 ml is a reasonable starting point. Adjust to taste — there's no single right answer, and part of the appeal of loose leaf is finding your own preference.

Is loose leaf better value than tea bags?

Generally, yes. You tend to get more cups per gram, and the cost per cup is usually lower. It also means less packaging overall.

Are loose leaf teas available in tea bags too?

Most of them are. Browse our herbal tea bags collection if you'd prefer the convenience of a pre-measured, no-equipment option.

Can I use loose leaf in a teapot?

Yes — a teapot with a built-in strainer works well, or use a separate infuser basket that sits inside the pot. Strain before pouring to keep loose pieces out of the cup.