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Our loose leaf tea collection brings together more than 350 teas from China, Japan, India, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and beyond.
Loose Tea
Total items: 7
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 flavor and occasion, such as Earl Grey, chai and decaf.
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 oxidized. 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 flavor. 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.
Types of tea compared
A quick guide to the main tea types, how they taste and how to brew them.
| Tea type | Taste | Caffeine | Water temp | Steep time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black tea | Malty, bold, sometimes fruity | High | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | 3–5 min |
| Green tea | Fresh, grassy, vegetal | Medium | 75–80°C (167–176°F) | 2–3 min |
| White tea | Delicate, sweet, floral | Low to medium | 80–85°C (176–185°F) | 3–5 min |
| Oolong tea | Floral to toasty, creamy | Medium | 85–95°C (185–203°F) | 3–5 min |
| Pu-erh tea | Earthy, rich, smooth | Medium to high | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | 2–4 min |
| Herbal tea | Varies: floral, minty, fruity | None | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | 5–7 min |
| Rooibos | Sweet, nutty, honey-like | None | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | 5–7 min |