Fresh ground coffee is a world of difference from instant, and similarly, whole, unbroken tea leaves provide a distinct aroma and flavor that you just can’t get from tea bags. In fact, once you have tried premium, whole-leaf loose tea, it is hard to go back to tea bags that have already been pre-ground into “fannings” and “dust” for you. And this is where the comparisons to coffee end, because just as every great meal is made from scratch in a kitchen, every great cup of tea is made from scratch as well, one perfect pouch at a time.
At Faith and Family Coffee Company, the same values that lead to some of the best coffee online and higher quality coffee at a coffee shop are carried over to their tea collection. Faith and Family Coffee Company is a veteran-owned and family-operated business based in California. They pride themselves on every item in their store having intention, care and high-quality craft put into it. Their coffee and tea online store aims to deliver the same in every resealable pouch that is sent through the mail to customers all over the country.
Why Loose Leaf Tea Delivers a Better Experience
Tea bags that are sold in stores contain the lowest quality of tea leaves. These tea leaves are called “fannings” and “dust” and are the smallest pieces of tea leaves that have been sorted out of higher quality teas at tea wholesalers and tea importers. These small tea leaves are perfect for making tea quickly and for mass producing tea, but they do not make good tea. The small tea leaves lose their volatile oils and aromas very quickly, which means that the tea that is made with them tastes flat and astringent, peaking in the first minute and then falling off very quickly.
Loose leaf teas are typically made up of whole or large-cut leaves that maintain the tea’s natural oils, flavor compounds, and complexity. These teas are typically Steeped in hot water allowing the leaves to unfurl fully releasing the full character of the tea leaf. The teas range from fresh, vegetal, and sweet green teas to rich, warm, spiced chai blends to complex, fresh and fruity herbal teas.
But most importantly, the ritual of making and drinking tea changes. The act of measuring out the leaves, watching them unfold in the water, and adjusting the steep time to your liking creates an experience that is far more than just incidental consumption of tea. It is an experience that is worth having, and one that the staff at Faith and Family Coffee Company can help you have by selecting the best teas for you to order online from a coffee and tea online store.
Three Teas From the Collection That Define What Premium Means
Masala Chai
Our selection of Masala Chai - A Powerful and Inviting Aroma - is the best of the best loose leaf teas. Masala Chai is a powerful and inviting aroma that will draw people to you. This thick and full-bodied Chai is brewed from a robust black tea that is mixed with the warming spices of Indian cuisine. A perfect loose leaf tea for those who enjoy to have Chai tea with milk. This is the best Chai tea for the money and the best loose leaf chai for the money.
This is by far the most intense tea that we carry. It has a strong following so if you have tried Chai at a coffee shops before this will most likely be a much stronger and more robust version. Typically Chai is a strong black tea mixed with milk and sugar to create a sweet creamy drink. Our Masala Chai is made with a strong black tea mixed with a blend of 16 different spices to create a very strong and warming tea perfect for cold days. We would not suggest adding sugar or milk to this very healthy pick me up which has no calories and no caffeine.
Matcha
Matcha - highest quality Matcha Green Tea - best for preparing Matcha in the traditional style. By refining the very best of green tea leaves into a fine powder and then whisking with the very hot water in a circular motion, the end result is a very healthy and delicious beverage that is enjoyed by people all around the world.
Matcha, in its finest powdered form, is refined to the highest degree possible from the best of the green tea leaves. It is a very complex tea that is traditionally mixed with very hot water and whisked in a circular motion with a lot of emphasis to dissolve the entire powder in the water, making a perfect “suspended tea drink” to consume. It has a strong earthy taste but sweet notes also emerge. The after taste is crisp and clean, leaving no astringent taste behind, which is the hallmark of premium Matcha green teas. Our premium Matcha has a huge following as it is indeed the best loose green tea for most enthusiasts of Matcha. As it has so much energy and power, it can be consumed at any time of day. For most people, it makes a perfect and healthy addition to their morning routine as a coffee substitute to keep them alert throughout the day. Also, it can be consumed in the afternoon to get a focused mind to complete any strenuous task for the rest of the day. Thus, this is the best loose leaf green tea for all Matcha enthusiasts online from a renowned coffee and tea store.
Moroccan Mint
Some teas are more versatile than others and none is more so than our Moroccan Mint Tea. This is the smoothest of teas, the most vibrant, the most refreshing tea that there is. It is enjoyed by almost every person that tries it. You can make a warm and very aromatic hot tea with it, or a very strong tea that you can pour over ice to make a very cool and refreshing iced tea, one of the best iced teas available.
While it is true that the fresh coolness of the mint is prominent in this delicious and refreshing tea, it is completely integrated into the tea so that you can also clearly taste the individual characteristics of the tea in each sip. As a result, this is one of the smoothest, most vibrant teas that are available on the market today and is enjoyed by almost everyone who tries it as a hot or iced tea and as a result, it will easily become your ‘go to’ tea to serve in your kitchen all year round.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea for the Best Results
To make the perfect tea, you must understand the three critical components that affect how it tastes. The temperature of the water, the quantity of the tea leaves, and the length of time you allow the tea to steep. None of these require specialized equipment. Simple.
Green teas and matcha have to be made with water that has been heated to between 160°F and 180°F to bring out the best flavor. Adding boiling water to either of these can burn the leaves and draw out a host of harsh tannins resulting in a bitter tasting tea. On the flip side, for black teas and for most spice tea blends, water that is boiled is just fine. In fact, it will bring out the most depth and body in your tea.
For the perfect cup of tea we recommend using 1 teaspoon of tea leaves from our top quality tea leaves per 8oz cup of water. Green Tea, Matcha, and Mint Tea blends typically require 3-4 minutes of steep time to get the perfect flavor from your tea. Black Tea and Chai blends typically require 4-5 minutes of steep time and a masala chai made with milk can be simmered on the stovetop for as long as required to get the deeper flavors from the spices.
The Right Tea Collection for People Who Take Their Cup Seriously
The tea collection at Faith and Family Coffee Company has a range of teas in their selection of teas from the bold and spicy to light and floral. Other teas in the collection are: Earl Grey tea, English Breakfast black tea, Jasmine tea, Hojicha tea, Hibiscus Berry Tea, Apple Cider Rooibos, Mango Treat, and Peach Paradise tea. Each of the loose leaf teas in the collection are great to have on hand for everyday consumption as well as for gifting.
Why Online Tea Buying from a Coffee and Tea Store is Better than a Big Online Store. Most online stores simply carry all kinds of teas. The teas are chosen by a company that does not have values to match the type of products that they carry. All of the teas that we carry at Faith and Family Coffee Company online store have been chosen by us for our customers. Part of the proceeds from the sale of every item that we carry goes to local charities. That is something that you will not find in every online tea store. We also carry a variety of coffee too! And, we offer FREE SHIPPING on every order. All orders are shipped within 24 hours of when they are received. We ship to anywhere in the U.S. In addition to our loose leaf tea online store, we also carry bagged tea. And, we have a full coffee online store with ground coffee, coffee beans, French press coffee, and more. In fact, we have the best online coffee store as well as the best place to buy loose leaf tea online.
The full tea collection is available at faithandfamilycoffeecompany.com/collections/tea. Whether you are stocking your kitchen with everyday loose leaf staples or searching for the best loose leaf chai tea to add to a morning ritual, the selection reflects the same care and quality that defines every product on the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is premium loose leaf tea and how is it different from tea bags?
Premium loose leaf tea uses whole or large-cut leaves that retain their natural oils, aromas, and complexity. Standard tea bags typically contain small broken fragments and dust that brew faster but deliver far less flavor. The result in the cup is noticeably richer, more aromatic, and more nuanced when you brew with whole leaves.
2. Where can I buy premium loose leaf tea online?
You can order directly from Faith and Family Coffee Company, a veteran-owned coffee and tea online store based in California. The collection includes a range of artisan loose leaf teas with free shipping on all U.S. orders. Visit faithandfamilycoffeecompany.com/collections/tea to browse the full selection.
3. What is the best loose leaf tea for someone new to brewing?
Moroccan Mint and Earl Grey are both excellent starting points. They are forgiving with water temperature, brew clearly, and have a flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates. Moroccan Mint is especially versatile since it can be enjoyed hot or iced with great results either way.
4. What is the best loose leaf chai tea for brewing with milk?
Masala Chai is the standout choice for milk-based brewing. Its bold, spiced black tea base holds up beautifully when combined with whole milk or a dairy alternative, and the traditional Indian preparation — simmered together on the stovetop — draws out a depth of flavor that steep-and-remove methods cannot fully achieve.
5. Is matcha considered a premium loose leaf green tea?
Matcha is a specialized form of premium loose leaf green tea where the entire leaf is stone-ground into a fine powder rather than steeped whole. Because you consume the full leaf in powdered form, the intensity and concentration of flavor is much higher than a standard steeped green tea. High-quality matcha is one of the most refined expressions of green tea available.
6. How do I store loose leaf tea to keep it fresh?
Loose leaf tea should be stored in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture. A cool, dry pantry away from the stove is ideal. Avoid clear glass jars on countertops where sunlight can degrade the leaves over time. Properly stored, most premium loose leaf teas maintain their quality for 12 to 18 months.
7. What loose leaf teas are caffeine-free?
Several options in the Faith and Family Coffee Company tea collection are naturally caffeine-free. Hibiscus Berry Tea and Apple Cider Rooibos are herbal-based blends with no caffeine, making them excellent evening options or alternatives for those sensitive to stimulants. Always check the product description to confirm caffeine content.
8. Can I brew loose leaf tea without a special infuser?
A basic mesh infuser or tea ball is all you need, and both are inexpensive and widely available. You can also use a French press, which works especially well for larger batches. Some teas like Masala Chai are often brewed directly in a pot and strained before serving, which requires no special equipment at all.
9. Does buying from a coffee and tea online store mean the tea is still fresh?
Quality depends on the sourcing and packaging practices of the store. Faith and Family Coffee Company prioritizes freshness and ships directly to customers across the U.S. with free shipping on every order. The small-batch, direct-to-consumer model means what arrives at your door is genuinely fresh rather than sitting in warehouse inventory for months.
10. What makes loose leaf tea better for iced tea than tea bags?
Loose leaf tea brewed for iced applications stays cleaner and brighter over ice because the larger leaf structure releases less of the fine particulate that makes iced tea from bags turn cloudy and bitter. Teas like Moroccan Mint, Hibiscus Berry Tea, and Peach Paradise are particularly excellent as cold brews or hot-brewed and chilled, holding their flavor profile far better than bagged alternatives.