Friends of JING
Welcome, friends of JING! Here, you'll have exclusive discounted access to a range of our single garden teas that embody the unique essence of their origin and the skill of their maker, as well as high quality teaware that will help you get the most out of your tea at home for a simple and mindful experience.
Double Wall Glass Tasting Cup, 80ml
£3.41
Regular price
£5.25
Darjeeling 2nd Flush, Tea Bags
£15.47
Regular price
£23.80
Jasmine Spring Green Plastic-Free Tea Bags
£7.07
Magnetic Timer
£6.63
Regular price
£10.20
Bamboo Tongs 30cm
£2.28
Loose Leaf Tea FAQ's
-
What is loose leaf tea, and why is it better than tea bags?
Loose leaf tea is made of whole, unbroken leaves, rather than the crushed dust and fannings found in standard tea bags. Because the leaf is intact, it unfurls fully during infusing, releasing more complex flavour and aroma than a bag ever can. Even our own tea bags use the same whole-leaf tea, in biodegradable pyramid bags, rather than compromising on quality. See our guide to loose leaf tea for more. -
How do I choose good quality loose leaf tea?
Look at the leaf itself: whole, intact leaves in a consistent size and colour are a good sign, while dust or broken fragments suggest lower grade tea. Provenance matters too, knowing which garden and harvest a tea comes from tells you far more than a generic blend ever will. Our guide on how to choose quality loose leaf tea walks through this in detail. -
How much loose leaf tea should I use per cup?
As a general starting point, one heaped teaspoon per cup is a reliable guide, though this varies by leaf type and personal taste, lighter, fluffier leaves like white tea often need slightly more to fill the same space. Water temperature and infusion time matter just as much as quantity. Our guide to infusing the perfect cup covers both together. -
Is loose leaf tea more expensive than tea bags?
Not necessarily, loose leaf often works out comparable or better value per cup, since a small amount of whole leaf can typically be re-infused, unlike most standard bags. The apparent price difference usually reflects quality rather than format: even our tea bags use the same whole-leaf tea as our loose leaf, just in a biodegradable pyramid rather than a caddy. -
How do I know if loose leaf tea is fresh?
Fresh loose leaf tea should smell vivid and true to type, grassy and bright for green tea, sweet and toasty for black, rather than flat or musty. Colour should look natural rather than dull, and leaves should feel dry, never brittle or damp. Our guide on how to know whether your tea is fresh explains what to check for and how to store it well.