Loose leaf tea brings together whole leaves from the world’s great tea gardens in China, Japan, India, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. Larger leaves have room to unfurl, so every cup is fuller, fresher and more aromatic than a tea bag — and many can be steeped more than once.
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About loose leaf tea
Start with a type: black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea or yellow tea. For caffeine-free options, see herbal tea, rooibos and honeybush.
Not sure where to begin? Our bestsellers and the Tea Finder are good starting points, and tea collections group teas by flavour and occasion, such as Earl Grey, chai and decaf.
Tea types compared
Not sure where to start? This table compares the main loose leaf tea types by taste, caffeine and brewing.
| Tea type | Taste | Caffeine | Water temp | Steep time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black tea | Bold, malty, rich | Higher | 95–100°C | 3–5 min | Breakfast, milk and sugar |
| Green tea | Fresh, grassy, vegetal | Moderate | 75–80°C | 2–3 min | Light afternoon cup |
| White tea | Delicate, sweet, floral | Low to moderate | 80–85°C | 3–5 min | Subtle, gentle flavour |
| Oolong tea | Floral to toasty | Moderate | 85–95°C | 3–5 min | Many re-steeps |
| Pu-erh tea | Earthy, smooth, deep | Moderate to higher | 95–100°C | 2–4 min | After meals, coffee lovers |
| Matcha | Creamy, umami | Higher | 70–80°C | Whisk, no steep | Lattes, focused mornings |
| Earl Grey | Black tea with bergamot citrus | Higher | 95–100°C | 3–5 min | Classic afternoon tea |
| Chai | Spiced, warming | Higher | 95–100°C | 4–5 min | Chai lattes with milk |
| Rooibos | Sweet, nutty, smooth | None | 95–100°C | 5–7 min | Evenings, kids |
| Herbal tea | Fruity, floral or minty | None (most blends) | 95–100°C | 5–7 min | Evenings, iced tea |
Brewing times are a starting point; taste and adjust.
Loose leaf tea FAQ
What are the main types of tea?
All true tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The main types, white, green, yellow, oolong, black and pu-erh, differ in how the leaves are processed, especially how much they are oxidised. Herbal teas, rooibos and honeybush come from other plants.
Why choose loose leaf tea over tea bags?
Loose leaf tea is usually made from whole or larger leaves, which have more room to unfurl and release flavour. It also lets you adjust strength and re-steep many teas.
Which tea type has the most caffeine?
Caffeine varies more by the specific tea and how you brew it than by type. As a rough guide, black tea and matcha tend to be higher, green and white teas moderate, and herbal teas, rooibos and honeybush have none.