At $12 a box, the innovative Freeleaf is a seemingly expensive alternative to traditional teabags. However, each artisan-made flowering tea can easily be reinfused four times, reducing the cost to around 31 cents per cup. Personally, I think Freeleaf teas are much closer in style and quality to premium flowering teas, which retail for about $3 a piece -- double the price of Freeleaf.
Packaging
Each box of Freeleaf contains eight hand-tied blossoming teas, which are individually wrapped in foil to preserve their flavor and aroma. There is no plastic involved in the foil wrapping or the brewing method. I find that the foil wrapping makes Freeleaf especially well-suited for travel.
The exterior of the packaging features easy brewing instructions and plenty of details about the product.
The exterior of the packaging features easy brewing instructions and plenty of details about the product.
Quality Tealeaves Make Quality Tea
Unlike most teabags, this product flaunts the beauty and quality of its tealeaves. As it brews, tea buds and leaves unfurl around a red clover blossom for an appearance akin to "display teas" (a.k.a. "flowering" or "blossoming" teas). Each infusion reveals different flavors and aromas, and (unlike lesser jasmine teas) the brew doesn't get bitter when it's oversteeped.
Multiple Infusions
The first infusion of Freeleaf Jasmine White Tea has a rich jasmine aroma that's not at all bitter or overpowering. The brew is pale yellow. The highly sippable flavor is smooth, sweet and mellow. It has a delicate jasmine aftertaste. There's none of the astringency that so many jasmine ready-to-drink (bottled/canned) teas or teabags have.
The second infusion I brewed had some leaf breakage, which is completely safe, but could be unappealing to some drinkers. (In China, many people simply drop tealeaves into a glass to brew, never filtering the leaves. There's nothing wrong with a few leaves in your cup.) As it infuses, the leaves open into a spray that surrounds a red clover flower. The flavor is fuller than the first infusion, with a slightly woody taste like fresh-cut bamboo.
The third infusion has a subtler aroma with hints of dewy meadows. It has a greener, less floral taste and is still very enjoyable.
The fourth infusion is paler, like the first. It has a flatter, less engaging flavor that previous infusions, but it's still better than most single-serving teas on the market. Oddly, there's a slight baked note to this infusion that would pair well with cookies.
The second infusion I brewed had some leaf breakage, which is completely safe, but could be unappealing to some drinkers. (In China, many people simply drop tealeaves into a glass to brew, never filtering the leaves. There's nothing wrong with a few leaves in your cup.) As it infuses, the leaves open into a spray that surrounds a red clover flower. The flavor is fuller than the first infusion, with a slightly woody taste like fresh-cut bamboo.
The third infusion has a subtler aroma with hints of dewy meadows. It has a greener, less floral taste and is still very enjoyable.
The fourth infusion is paler, like the first. It has a flatter, less engaging flavor that previous infusions, but it's still better than most single-serving teas on the market. Oddly, there's a slight baked note to this infusion that would pair well with cookies.
Overall Opinion
This is a fantastic product for anyone who loves premium tea, but needs the convenience of a teabag. I'm thrilled to hear that it's served on some Virgin Airlines flights. I look forward to seeing it (and products like it) appear in more service situations that require convenience and ease of preparation, but still value high quality. I especially recommend it to anyone who is avoiding the use of plastics for food or otherwise.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
