Tea Bags

Buying Guide

Choosing tea bags starts with the type of tea and flavours you enjoy, but there are a few other useful differences to consider. Caffeine content, ingredients, organic certification, pack size and brewing style can all help narrow down the range. Tea bags are already portioned for convenient brewing, making them an easy choice for a single cup at home, at work or when travelling.

Choose the style of tea you enjoy

Tea bags cover everything from traditional green and black teas to herbal, chai, tulsi, rooibos, fruit and floral blends. If you enjoy fresh flavours, you might gravitate towards mint, green tea or citrus. Warming blends often feature ginger, cinnamon, cardamom or other spices, while hibiscus, berries and flowers can produce brighter, fruitier or more aromatic cups.

Blended teas can cross several of these styles, so ingredients are often a better indication of flavour than the product name alone. Once you know the general style you enjoy, individual blends let you narrow your choice by the botanicals, spices and flavours that appeal to you.

Decide whether caffeine matters

Green tea, black tea and other teas made from Camellia sinensis naturally contain caffeine. Many herbal and rooibos teas are naturally caffeine free, making them useful choices when you prefer to avoid caffeine or want a tea for later in the day.

For blended tea bags, check the ingredients rather than relying only on the flavour or style. A herbal, fruity or spiced blend can sometimes include green or black tea alongside its other ingredients.

Look for organic tea bags

If buying organic tea is important to you, look at the certification and product information for the individual tea. Some tea bags in our range are certified organic, while others may contain a combination of organic and non-organic ingredients or make no organic claim.

Think about how you like to drink your tea

Most tea bags are designed for straightforward hot-water brewing, but your preferred way of drinking tea can help you choose between blends. Robust herbal and spiced teas can suit a warming cup, while mint, fruit, hibiscus and some traditional teas can also be refreshing when brewed and chilled for iced tea.

Brewing time and water temperature vary between tea styles. Green tea generally benefits from gentler brewing than many herbal infusions, while roots, spices and other robust botanicals may require a longer steep. Follow the directions for your chosen tea as your starting point.

Compare pack sizes for everyday and occasional teas

Pack quantity is worth considering if you drink several cups a day or are trying a new flavour for the first time. A larger pack can make sense for an everyday favourite, while a smaller box gives you the opportunity to try something different without committing to as many cups. Compare the number of tea bags rather than box size alone, as quantities vary between brands and products.