Once I started using loose leaf tea, I fell in love with it.

I rarely used tea bags for many years thereafter, even though some tea bags have very high quality tea (despite what some tea lovers will tell you). I never looked down my nose at tea bags. I did, however, appreciate the beauty of the whole tea leaves that I more often found in loose leaf. I also loved being able to admire the leaves and the aroma more clearly without the barrier of a sachet between the tea and me. And, the ritual of preparing loose leaf tea is typically a joy for me.

I’d often have some of my extended family members’ favorite tea bags on hand. Occasionally, I would buy tea in sachets for travel days–packing loose leaf for our destination. But, I didn’t think much about making sure to have tea bags in my cupboard. I think very differently now.

As I’ve written about before, there are pros and cons of loose leaf and tea bags. Making loose leaf tea takes more steps and more physical exertion. You need to reach for, carry, and manipulate more teaware–a teapot, cup, possibly a strainer, maybe a scale to measure the leaves. And, there are more things to clean up after. As a usually able-bodied person, the difference doesn’t typically have much impact on me. What’s more: I usually find the extra time well worth the effort. Still, there are times when the extra work can be a barrier to enjoying tea.

For example, last year I had my appendix removed. The first week after surgery was much more difficult than I imagined. My husband and my daughter took excellent care of me. But, after a few days, they had to work (albeit my husband worked from home for a while stay close during those early days) or go to school. Although they would have made me loose leaf tea had I asked, they were juggling meetings, deadlines, bus schedules, etc. I didn’t want to ask them to make me loose leaf tea.

After surgery (and for several weeks thereafter), it was really painful to change positions, walk, and reach for things. I really wanted to spend time with my dear friend tea. Having tea bags in my cupboard made it easier for my family to make me tea those first few days and then for me to make it for myself the next few weeks. Without this option, tea would not have been accessible to me.

It doesn’t take surgery to impair our strength! And, you can’t always foresee when you might become impaired. For example, the flu, or a bad cold can strike without warning, too. As folks who have chronic conditions or occasional physical flares ups know, anything that makes things easier can be a godsend.

I now make sure that some tea bags stay in my cupboard. A number of companies, I’m happy to report, offer their high quality teas as loose leaf or in sachets. For example, I have *really* enjoyed the sachets from Té Company and Den’s Tea. (They specialize in Taiwanese and Japanese tea, respectively.)* If you are a loose leaf afficionado like I am, you might want to consider keeping some tea bags on hand, too.

*This post is NOT sponsored. I’m simply sharing my experience with companies that have tea bags that I love to keep handy.

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