While some people’s idea of an invigorating cup of tea involves store-bought tea bags that may or may not have grown stale in overstocked warehouses, I like to take another approach. A soothing cup of tea is one of my most anticipated indulgences after a long day at work, and that’s especially true in the chilly autumn and winter months. Since the quality of that finished product means so much to me, there’s really no substitute for loose leaf tea.

The debate between tea bags and loose leaves continues to rage in beverage aficionado circles, but I made up my mind long ago. When the leaves are broken down and stuffed into little sacks, they lose the flavorful oils that make tea such a delicacy. Tea leaves also require space to expand and contract, which just isn’t an option when they’re restricted within a bag.