Is loose leaf more expensive?
Per packet, usually. Per cup, often not, and the calculation people do is the wrong one. Per packet it usually is; per cup it often is not, and the comparison people make is the wrong one.
tea
What is being compared
Point by point
| Aspect | English Breakfast | Tie Guan Yin |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per 100 g | Higher than supermarket bags. | Higher again. |
| Cups per 100 g | Around 40 at 2.5 g a cup. | More, because it gives several infusions from one measure. |
| Infusions | One or two. | Six or more brewed gongfu. |
| Real cost per cup | Comparable to mid-range bags. | Often lower than a supermarket bag, once infusions are counted. |
The short answer
For teas that give multiple infusions, loose leaf is frequently cheaper per cup than bags. The packet price is a misleading comparison.
Not a ranking. TeaHQ publishes no ratings and does not know your occasion.
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