The evolution of the tea market, from the leaf to packaging

Tea time: a tradition that should be “kept” well

Green, black, white, or red, yellow and blue. It could almost be a painter’s colour palette, but what we’re talking about is tea, that colourful Oriental custom and the drink made with the leaves and leaf buds of the Camelia sinensis, the China tea plant.

In terms of global consumption, tea comes second only to water thanks to its wide variety of flavours and fragrances, from fruity to flowery.
Consumers all over the world associate a pleasant “warming” moment that might start with a fine earl grey for breakfast or teatime, or end the day in the best possible way (with a light green tea).

To increase its purchasing power and presence on ever-growing markets, tea is sold in a multitude of different formats, the most common of which is of course the tea bag: a practical, “user friendly” solution that’s easy to use and ready for the cup. A teabag is certainly practical and fast to use as all you have to do is remove it from its packet and drop it into the cup to make your favourite brew. But is it really such a “friendly” choice in terms of taste and cost?

The difference between teabags and loose leaf tea: a question of taste and packaging!

A question of taste but also quality: a teabag, the most practical solution that’s fastest to use, in most cases contains powdered tea and small fragments of leaves. So what does that mean in terms of taste? The tea will have a higher concentration of tannins and a more astringent flavour, so you’re more likely to add sugar.

Loose leaf tea might be less practical and take longer to make, but it’s also more of a ceremony and it certainly has a lot more “romantic” appeal. It’s definitely a higher quality infusion than one made with teabags, considering the pleasure of watching how the leaves change their appearance while the tea is brewing, producing that unmistakable aroma (because you can use exactly the right amount for the flavour you prefer) but above all your tea will contain more antioxidant properties and be more beneficial for your health.

The pack containing fine loose leaf tea also has a part to play in the ritual and the right packaging will keep and preserve all the organoleptic qualities and give you all the principal benefits of the very best tea. A pack that hasn’t been carefully designed or that can’t be closed again properly will let air and heat in, so the tea loses its flavour.

Loose leaf tea is often sold in tins or paperboard packets; the latter certainly contain more product, meaning lower costs for both the tea producer and the consumer. Our company created a closing and dosing system for these packets that keeps the tea fresh and fragrant, and it’s also practical to use: the Pac Spout.

Thanks to this solution that’s suitable for foodstuffs and recycling, the packet can be properly closed again, and the tea inside can be easily poured and dosed without wasting any, while keeping the flavour intact.