The 17 Best Loose Leaf Tea Brands in 2025

When you consider just how much joy and relaxation a perfect cup of tea can bring to your day, finding the best loose-leaf tea is truly an act of self-love. Not only do the best loose-leaf tea companies make their blends from higher-quality ingredients but the leaves themselves are larger and more potent, which makes for a richer, more flavorful brew. 

Let’s not forget that many store-bought tea bags contain wasteful materials like plastic, staples and string, which you won’t find in a biodegradable loose-leaf tea collection. But enough about why loose leaf is the better choice for, let’s explore some of the best loose-leaf tea brands to help you find your next favorite blend.

Jump to Section

• Best Quality Loose-Leaf Tea
• Best Loose-Leaf Tea for Health
• Best Organic Loose-Leaf Tea
• Best Loose-Leaf Tea FAQs

Best Quality Loose-Leaf Tea

1. Piper and Leaf

Piper and Leaf is a family-run tea company that specializes in gourmet tea blends that are simply delightful. If you’re ever in North Alabama, you can find their teas at local farmer's markets or stop by one of their cozy Tea Shops in Huntsville for the full experience. 

For those who love a little surprise in their tea routine, Piper and Leaf offers a loose-leaf tea subscription where you can choose from some of their best loose-leaf tea blends. One muslin bag contains 15 servings of loose-leaf tea, so you get plenty to enjoy.

2. Plum Deluxe

Whether you’re into bold black teas, soothing herbal infusions or rich, spiced chai, Plum Deluxe has a little bit of everything. Their selection of flavored black teas is especially impressive, featuring floral notes, seasonal twists and creative combinations you won’t find just anywhere. 

If you’re new to loose-leaf tea or just love variety, the Plum Deluxe Variety Pack is a fantastic way to explore their best loose-leaf teas. This sampler includes five blends: Crème Brûlée Earl Grey, Peaches and Cream Oolong, Porch Sipping Pecan, Citrus Mint Green and Floral Black. Each one is smooth, aromatic and downright decadent.

3. The Republic of Tea

The Republic of Tea is all about quality and they source the best loose-leaf tea leaves from some of the world’s most renowned tea gardens, from China and India to Japan and Kenya. Their teas come in thoughtfully designed, airtight tins that keep everything fresh, whether you’re using their full-leaf loose teas or their signature round, unbleached tea bags. 

One of their most popular blends is the Honey Ginseng Green Tea; a smooth, well-balanced green tea with just the right touch of natural sweetness. It’s the best green tea for newbies but still flavorful enough for seasoned tea drinkers. It also makes an excellent iced tea.

4. Art of Tea

If you’re wondering what is the highest quality of tea available, Art of Tea likely has the answer. Art of Tea crafts some of the most delicious loose-leaf blends out there, with a fantastic selection across multiple categories, including green and black teas, herbal teas and caffeine-free blends. 

Their Earl Grey Crème blend is a luxurious twist on the classic two-century-old recipe, featuring a sweet, creamy French vanilla flavor that doesn’t overpower that signature bergamot kick. It’s the best loose-leaf tea for an afternoon tea party with friends or family.

5. Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons is a household name for serious tea drinkers with over 300 varieties of the best loose-leaf tea. Sourcing from the best tea-growing regions, they offer Fair Trade Certified™ teas, supporting sustainable and ethical practices across the industry. 

Some of their fan-favorite blends include the bold and spicy Hot Cinnamon Spice, earthy Hojicha and classic Earl Grey. But if you love floral teas, their Dragon Pearl Jasmine is a must-try.

6. Vahdam

If you’re looking for an authentic chai experience, Vahdam is the way to go. While there are plenty of masala chai variations out there, Vahdam sticks to the classic, time-tested recipe with just five simple but high-quality ingredients: Assam tea, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper. 

The result is a perfectly balanced cup that’s sweet, spicy and malty, just the way a great chai should be. This blend is fantastic on its own but also pairs beautifully with milk and sugar if you’re in the mood for a cozy chai latte. 

But chai is just the beginning, as Vahdam has an incredible lineup of some of the best loose-leaf tea blends, from Vanilla Chai and Earl Grey Chai to Turmeric Spiced Chai and beyond.

Best Loose-Leaf Tea for Health

7. Teapigs

Teapigs takes the art of loose-leaf tea seriously, with blends that feature top-quality tea leaves, whole herbs, whole berries, whole spices and whole flowers. Aside from being delicious, their teas are kind to the planet, too, and come in plant-based packaging, including a compostable inner bag made from wood pulps, an outer carton made from recyclable cardboard and roomy tea temples made from biodegradable mesh bags.

A standout in their collection is the Teapigs Peppermint Tea, which is made with just one ingredient — pure peppermint leaves. It’s the best loose-leaf tea for health when you’re looking for something to wind down before bed or, according to Healthline, ease your digestion. Each box contains about 50 servings, offering plenty of fresh, high-quality tea.

8. Dobrá Tea

Dobrá Tea offers some of the best loose-leaf tea online and shopping on their website is a breeze. You can choose teas by taste, country, type, benefit or even collection, with options ranging from medicinal mushrooms to ceremonial cacao.

One of their best loose-leaf tea is Honey Oolong, a rare and unique tea from Taiwan with a complex, honey-like flavor.

9. Jade Leaf

While there’s no shortage of matcha leaf providers out there, Jade Leaf is one of the few loose-leaf tea companies that offer high-quality ceremonial-grade matcha. It has a smooth, slightly sweet and grassy flavor without the usual bitterness of regular matcha. 

This versatile powder is perfect for whisking into a traditional cup of matcha tea or blending into a creamy hot or cold matcha latte.

10. Taylors of Harrogate

For those who love a full-bodied, traditional cup of tea, Taylors of Harrogate delivers in spades. This long-standing English brand is known for its black, green, fruit and herbal teas, all carefully sourced, picked by hand, dried and blended. 

Among their best offerings is Yorkshire Gold — considered by many to be some of the best loose-leaf teas for health. This go-to breakfast tea is smooth and malty, rich and flavorful without being overpowering and it pairs beautifully with milk and sugar.

11. Full Leaf Tea Co.

For high-quality loose-leaf tea with a focus on wellness, Full Leaf Tea Co. is a fantastic pick. This small Oregon-based brand is all about the best organic loose-leaf teas and authentic Japanese matcha that’s non-GMO certified and crafted with intention. 

Their wellness blends are designed to support everything from better sleep to a stronger immune system, making them a great option if you’re looking for the best loose-leaf tea for health. 

One standout is their Organic Throat Clarity, a soothing blend of organic cloves, ginger, chamomile and peppermint. It’s the best tea for a sore throat, offering a naturally sweet, earthy flavor with a refreshing finish.

Best Organic Loose-Leaf Tea

12. Davidson's Organics

Davidson’s Organics is one of the best loose-leaf tea options for organic tea lovers. This family-run brand has been growing USDA-certified organic teas for three generations and is known to source non-GMO, pesticide-free tea while supporting small farmers through fair trade practices. 

Their Gunpowder Green is particularly special and made with Chinese green tea leaves that are carefully withered, steamed, rolled into small, round pellets and then dried to perfection. Its taste is bold yet mellow, with a deep, smoky flavor profile that's simply divine. 

Beyond their impressive tea selection, Davidson’s Organics also offers a tea subscription box, perfect for anyone looking to explore new blends of organic loose-leaf teas.

13. Numi

Whether you prefer bagged or loose leaf, every single one of Numi’s teas is 100% organic, with no artificial or "natural" flavorings — just real fruits, flowers and spices. Numi is all about quality and transparency, using only hand-plucked, fuller-leaf teas for a more refined and complex infusion. And you can taste the difference in every single sip. 

One of their most popular blends is the Breakfast Blend, a rich and well-balanced take on a classic English breakfast tea. Instead of the usual Kenyan tea, Numi blends Darjeeling, Assam and Ceylon, giving it a slightly sweeter twist while still delivering a bold, full-bodied depth that makes it the best loose-leaf tea to jumpstart your morning.

14. Tea Forté

Tea Forté is one of the best loose-leaf tea companies for beginners, thanks to their impressive tea samplers. They’re the best way to test different varieties and blends you might be curious about and each box contains 28 packets of loose-leaf tea, individually portioned to brew a single cup. The convenience is similar to tea bags, but the quality is better, making this the best loose-leaf tea online to go along with the tea party food at your next gathering.

15. Rishi Tea & Botanicals

With teas sourced from all over the world, Rishi Tea offers the best quality loose-leaf tea for every tea lover, whether you're just starting out or you've been sipping for years. One of their most notable offerings is the Nishi First Flush Sencha, a premium green tea that packs a rich, umami punch. 

Grown on an organic tea farm in Japan by the Nishi family, this first-flush sencha is a real gem. First-flush teas are known for having a vibrant, lively flavor and this one is no exception. It’s the kind of tea that shows you exactly why choosing the best loose-leaf tea is worth the extra effort.

16. Tealyra

When it comes to premium organic teas, Tealyra has it all. From raw and cooked pu'erh to black, green, oolong, white, matcha, rooibos and even kid-friendly fruity blends. A highlight in their collection is their Silver Needle White Tea, one of the lightest and most delicate teas out there. 

Silver Needle is made from only the fuzzy white buds of the tea plant, giving it a smooth, complex flavor that’s reminiscent of dried apricot and it’s some of the best loose-leaf tea for a refined palate.

17. DAVIDsTEA

With over 100 loose-leaf blends from around the world, DAVIDsTEA offers something for every tea mood, whether you’re craving a classic Vanilla Matcha or a wellness-boosting blend like Headache Halo, packed with willow bark, lavender and rooibos. 

If you find yourself searching for the best tea for sleep, be sure to check out their organic chamomile tea, made with whole, fragrant chamomile flowers sourced from Croatia. It steeps into a beautiful golden cup that’s smooth and naturally sweet, especially with a drizzle of honey.

Best Loose-Leaf Tea FAQs

Is Loose-Leaf Tea Healthier Than Bagged Tea?

When it comes to quality, loose-leaf tea has the upper hand. It’s made from whole leaves or large leaf pieces, which means better flavor and more infusions per brew. The more intact the leaves, the richer and more complex the taste and the healthier the tea.

How Do You Avoid Heavy Metals in Tea?

One of the best ways to avoid heavy metals in tea is to limit steeping to two to four minutes. This helps reduce metal transfer into your brew. You should also choose the best loose-leaf tea from transparent brands that test for toxins and avoid microplastics from tea bags.

What Is the Best Way to Brew Loose-Leaf Tea?

Once you’ve found the best quality loose-leaf tea, the way to make the most of it is by brewing it correctly. Start by heating water to the right temperature: 180-212°F for black teas, 150-180°F for green teas and 212°F for herbal teas. For best results, use two to three grams of leaves per cup and pour the hot water over them.

So, what brand is the best loose-leaf tea? Well, it all depends on your preferences. Whether you’re on the hunt for the best loose-leaf tea brands that prioritize quality and sustainability or you're looking for something specific like the best loose-leaf tea for your health, there’s a perfect brew for every tea lover. 

As you experiment with different brewing methods and discover new favorite blends, you'll find that the best loose-leaf tea is more than just a beverage choice but a mindful ritual that adds an element of self-care to your busy day. 

To learn even more, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!