The Cost of True Tea: Why Some Leaves Are Worth More

Estimated read time: 6 minutes.

Not all teas are created equal.
Some are picked by hand, rolled slowly, fired with precision, packed in small batches. Others are machine-harvested, cut, dried, and bagged by the tonne.

The price tag reflects that.
But more importantly, so does the cup.

If you’ve ever wondered why premium loose leaf tea costs more—or whether it’s worth it—this is a quiet look behind the price.

The Myth of Cheap Tea

Most supermarket tea is cheap.
It’s made to be. The goal is volume, not character.

What’s inside the bag is often the lowest grade of the leaf: dust and fannings. Broken particles. Fast-steeping. Bitter. Lifeless after one brew.

To keep costs low, these teas are:

• Grown on vast industrial farms
• Harvested by machine
• Processed quickly
• Blended without origin transparency
• Packaged in mass for long shelf life

None of this is inherently wrong. It simply has nothing to do with quality.

Why Premium Tea Costs More

Truly premium tea is made differently.
It takes time, technique, and care that cannot be rushed.

Here’s where the value comes from:

1. Hand Harvesting

Many premium teas are picked by hand. Not just any leaves—the top two leaves and a bud, chosen at the perfect moment of growth.

Hand-plucking ensures quality. But it also takes time, skill, and human labour—often from tea masters with years of experience.

2. Low-Yield Production

Smaller gardens. Limited harvest windows. Teas crafted in small batches.

Like wine, scarcity and seasonality play a role. A specific style might only be made once a year, or in quantities small enough to sell out within weeks.

3. Artisanal Processing

From oxidation to rolling, drying, and roasting, the process is often manual. Adjusted by feel, not machinery. Every step influences the final character of the tea.

This kind of detail isn’t found in high-volume production.

4. Freshness and Storage

High-quality tea is stored with care. Airtight, protected from moisture, light, and scent. It’s packaged to preserve—not just to sell.

This attention adds cost. But it preserves clarity in the cup.

Multiple Infusions = Better Value Than You Think

Premium loose leaf tea isn’t just more expensive per gram—it’s also more giving.

Many high-quality teas can be steeped two, three, even four times.
Each infusion tells a new part of the story. Each cup costs less than it first appears.

Bagged tea, in contrast, is often flat after a single steep.

So while the initial price may seem higher, the price per cup is often comparable—or even lower.

What You’re Really Paying For

Not just tea.
Not just flavour.

You’re paying for:

• Craftsmanship
• Integrity
• The absence of shortcuts
• The quiet luxury of knowing what’s in your cup

You’re paying for a ritual that hasn’t been rushed.
And a brand that respects your attention.

Final Thought: Cost vs Worth

The question is never just, “How much does it cost?”
The better question is, “What does it offer?”

When a tea is made well, stored properly, and steeped with care, the value is clear—warmth, depth, clarity, and time well spent.

And for that, some leaves are worth more.