Tuesday March 30, 2010 | 6 comments
Recently, there have been a lot of discussions on T Ching about loose-leaf tea and teabags. As a Chinese tea manufacturer and exporter, I know that tea in teabags is bigger than loose-leaf tea and more popular the world over.
So many people choose teabags because they are an easy solution in this fast society. Sometimes I’ll drink tea from teabags, especially now that there are some unique teabags that contain better-quality loose-leaf tea. But I’m 100% sure that the fast world needs loose-leaf tea more than teabags.
Why do we need loose-leaf tea more? Because it can help free our soul in this fast society. Some people say making loose-leaf tea is a little difficult. Yes, they’re right, but making loose-leaf tea causes you to drop all of your worries and focus on the tea, especially using the Gongfu tea style. In simple terms, the difference between teabags and loose-leaf tea is similar to the difference between assembling a chair and making a chair. Why do people love carpentry work?
We need a brand-new tea culture that can help us relax in our daily lives – teabags are not enough. We should give our spirit more care – that’s the mission of my new company as well. We know there is a long way to go, but we have begun the journey.
Nice article, Daniel. I think technology has solved the problem of making loose leaf accessible for those who must think of time or simply want results as good or better than traditional methods of steeping. People never seem concerned about all the things necessary to make a truly great cup of coffee; quality beans, great roasting, proper grinding, proper brewing equipment…they spend a fortune with almost professional coffee or espresso setups in their home kitchens.
I cannot accept that tea should be treated any differently. That’s our mission..to show that
it doesn’t have to be and the results with truly ‘loose’ loose leaf are so superior.
Walden, could you tell us more about your new loose-leaf-tea-friendly technology?
I couldn’t agree more. We need to take the time to relax – to stop our frantic lives and breath. Loose leaf tea encourages us to do just that. What does it say about our culture if we can’t take that brief period of time and prepare a beverage that is so healthy and delicious? I think your point Diane is well taken – why is it acceptable that coffee preparation takes a serious amount of time yet I never hear anyone complaining about it? Perhaps it’s because tea in this country began with the tea bag while coffee began with more effort and over the years evolved with technology like MR Coffee that made it quite easy. Although it’s gone gourmet – one needs only to step into a coffee shop on any corner and the server does the rest. One pays top dollar for it, but it’s easy…….if the line isn’t too long.
I believe that using loose leaf tea is also be a more sustainable way to enjoy tea. No need for tea bag materials (bag, string and sometimes metal staple).
I appreciate your company’s mission. Let’s slow down and really see and smell the tea leaves.
I agree that there are benefits that can be recognized in the preparation and drinking of loose-leaf tea.
But also feel there is no reason why we should have to continue to use difficult or hard-to-use equipment (unless it is part of the traditional tea ceremony, which one explicitly wants to experience).
I have designed a tea infuser that makes it easy to make a cup of loose-leaf tea. Whilst at the same time, allows one to still experience the spiritual aspect of tea and the tea making process.
(Disclaimer: My response focuses primarily on the statement of, ‘Some people say making loose-leaf tea is a little difficult.’ As I understand that you are advocating and wishing to promote the spiritual aspect of drinking tea. Although on this note, I feel one’s motivation toward preparing and drinking tea can be of more worth, and benefit, than simply following a tea ceremony procedure. Although recognize that following a procedure can assist with this.)