Loose Leaf Tea - obsession? and looking for tips (no pun intended)

[rzb]

Looking for advice from experienced drinkers of loose leaf tea:

I started buying loose leaf tea fairly recently, first from a supermarket then, in a turn of events which surprised me greatly, from an online whole foods health store.

I was blown away by the difference in taste and overall enjoyment and am entirely enamoured by the whole shebang - I have dug out my tea pots and tea cosies, gone through various strainer and infuser technologies (eventually settling on a tea colander type thing with handy lid / saucer), purchased tea caddies and repurposed clean jars to store various teas, and begun to wonder why I ever bought tea bags in the first place. I've just bought some nettle tea which has made me wonder whether this is becoming a (healthy?) obsession.

Dear people who've trod this path before me: will I ever return to buying standard boxes of tea bags from a supermarket, or is this a one-way journey, and if so, where does it lead to? Have you any recommendations for things I should try? What's your favourite tea, and where do you get it from?

Thankyou, thankyou in advance.

Another brought up on loose leaf tea. So many teapots! A masterpiece of useful art.
My eternal favourite has been Ceylon BOP, and jasmine pearls for an evening ritual. I’ve recently discovered Unraveltea and I have a feeling I could open my own tea shop with the varieties I’ve ordered! https://unraveltea.com/

I recommend tea sacs, fillable tea bags you use with your own loose tea. Fantastic and reduces a lot of faffing. www.amazon.co.uk/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B0015MDVSK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=54823423618&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ay-BKxkJ1uxsJ6rzumiKXQbfgLh2m2V9aA-lUGNch211YJcHuqs6G55nDowaEoZEe3a-9q54JCy0Syf7TJ68ZbAzk805-0xJJbMZAH8MvfRml7AFZ6QRLISvafoBucXKEgMNIqYAtXMrS97Sb7Hu1_ZeuBX-om_6JsYN-UzPYoRgYG8-mD0SAXRcAqIDyCfXVBB2tcDAPDs6CyzZVvzj-g.o_xcR9pMwkmnfl8l_cjsT7wCctECliN4ZhJYdYt9s3I&dib_tag=se&hvadid=593661782775&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1007864&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14031541585029874860&hvtargid=kwd-302484318196&hydadcr=22254_2263874&keywords=tea+sacs&qid=1717398985&sr=8-3

Love it! I'm an earl grey traditionalist or Lady Grey fan here. When I was pregnant, I discovered Hot Tea Mama teas which are caffeine free - amazing.

I only like plain tea, have used Miles' tea loose tea for years. Comes out of the pot a lovely clear sparkling amber colour. (We have hard water, BTW.) You can buy it in 1kg bags.
https://www.milesteaandcoffee.com

My Australian friend got me hooked on loose leaf tea from T2. They expanded to the UK, opened shops, brilliant. Post Covid they have withdrawn completely from the Northern Hemisphere so to get it I have to order huge quantities. I adore Melbourne Breakfast (strong black tea with vanilla) and their Assam so it's worth it. And still cheaper than Bird and Blend despite shipping.

Local refill shop does some. For them and Bird and Blend you can take a few tiny containers and buy just a little to try.

I use a tea ball on a stick, or the cup shaped infusers. And a pint size tea cup!

For Xmas I got a vintage tea caddy spoon, and have a proper melon baller shaped tea spoon - these shapes stop the tea leaves spilling everywhere as you spoon them.

You probably will not go back to normal tea bags. Once you get used to loose leaf, they can taste a bit flat.

It is quite a common path. It starts with better flavour, then you enjoy the process, and before long you have a small collection and your own way of brewing. It is not really an obsession, just a hobby that happens to be good for you.

I really enjoy Tea People UK. They have a reputation for fresh, high quality tea with natural ingredients and interesting blends.

I would suggest buying from shops like that online rather than supermarkets, as the quality is usually much better.