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Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of some of the more Frequently Asked Questions?

Where does "the UK loose leaf tea company" source its tea?

We source our teas from the finest tea producers and wholesalers around the world. We work with tea growers from around the world and keep adding new tea products to our collection. Where our teas are certified organic within their growing region we have added them to our organic selection at http://theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk/collections/organic-tea. Our tea comes directly from the tea growers, and approved quality suppliers, so each and every product is of the highest quality.

What makes theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk different from the other tea companies?

The quality of our tea is the most important feature. The teas and herbs used in our blends are chosen for their high grades, specific origins, freshness, natural flavours, and appearance.

Are your teas organic?

Yes! Where they are certified at source, we offer them as organic at http://theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk/collections/organic-tea

What if I want to buy a larger quantity of an item than the website currently allows?

You may contact us by Tel.: 020 8798 0580 or by email: sales@theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk and we will help place a large order. Alternatively you can place multiple orders directly on our website.

Can the water effect the taste of my tea?

Yes. Soft water can enhance the flavour of your tea, while hard water can flatten its taste.  Always use fresh drawn water as this contains air and helps enhance the flavour.

I live outside the United Kingdom. Can I still place an order?

To all of our international friends, we appreciate your interest in theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk. All our exports are priced per package, please get in touch with us at sales@theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk

How long does it take to ship an order once it is placed?

We ship retail orders within 24-48 hours of receiving them. If an item is out of stock, we will contact you immediately. National holidays will also delay shipments 1-2 days. Some of our teas are held by our suppliers, so these may take up to 14 days to arrive with you, but these delivery times are clearly stated on the tea page.

How long does your tea stay fresh?

To maximise freshness, all of our tea is blended in small batch quantities. Although tea does not go bad, it does become stale over time. We generally recommend drinking any of our teas within one year of purchase. Once the teas have been opened it is best to consume them within a few months. Be sure to keep the teas airtight, dry, and out of direct sunlight. All our teas have a “Best Before Date”.

What kind of packaging does your tea come in?

We now try to use 100% plastic free packaging where possible. The very strong aroma teas and coffee beans will still go in our traditional looking bag made of brown craft paper with a clear cellophane liner and ziplock closure. As soon as you receive your products please transfer then to an airtight container and keep them cool and out of direct sunlight.

What is your return policy?

We accept all returns and exchanges within 14 days of sale. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. Learn more about our returns and refunds please check http://theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk/pages/returns-and-refunds

What are the postage costs?

All our products are securely packed to arrive safely and in top quality condition. Packages are sent Royal Mail 1st Class post or carrier depending on the size. Please check the postage cost details at http://theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk/pages/postage-costs

Do you supply Lady Grey Tea?

No! We do not supply Lady Grey tea since it is a registered trade mark of Twinings Tea Limited. But we do supply our own version of it which we call "Princess Grey", we believe it to be more rounded and subtle, give it a try at: http://theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk/products/princess-grey?

Do you offer free Shipping?

Yes, on orders with a value over £35.00 after any discounts have been applied.

Do you offer Tea accessories?

Oh yes! We offer a full range of accessories to suit every need. Tea caddies to keep your loose leaf tea safe, infusers to brew your tea with, strainers to use over cups, teapots to brew in and sugar in case you love it sweetening. Check our tea accessories at http://theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk/collections/Accessories

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept various forms of payment like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Payment via PayPal.

How many times can I infuse the same tea leaves?

As a guide, we suggest the following as a maximum:

  • Black tea: one or two infusions
  • Jasmine tea: two or three infusions
  • White tea: two or three infusions
  • Oolong tea: two or three infusions
  • Green tea: three or four infusions
  • Fruit Teas: one or two infusions
  • Herbals: one infusion
But it really is to your own personal taste. If using your tea leaves more than once, it’s important not to let them dry out between infusions. Also remember that the flavour of the tea will become weaker with each infusion.

How many cups of coffee will I get out of your 250g bag?

We are often asked this question, all grinding machines give a different return but you would expect the following:

Brewing Method  250g bag
Espresso (single shot) 35
Filter 25
Cafetiere 17
Percolator 20
Turkish 25
If you request your coffee ground by use we offer 3 different grinds:
Coarse: Plunger Pot, French Press, Percolator, Vacuum Coffee Pot.
Medium: Drip Coffee Maker with flat bottom filters (Bunn, Bloomfield, etc).
Fine: Drip Coffee makers with cone shape filters (Krups, Cusinart, etc), Espresso (pump or steam), Moka Pots.
We use a burr coffee grinder, as we believe this gives the best taste. The burr grinder works slower causing less heat when grinding to ruin the flavour of your coffee, it also gives a better consistency to the grind.

How many cups of tea will I get out of your 25g bag?

A normal teaspoon of tea is between 2.5g and 3g, so this equates to:

25g bag = 8 cups of tea

100g bag = 33 cups of tea

500g bag = 166 cups of tea.

Why can't I pay with my Credit Card?

The simple answer is you can and we accept all major credit cards and PayPal. The problem occurs when your browser does not sink correctly with our website. This can be sorted by:
a: clearing your cache
b: using a different browser
c: or trying again in a few hours.
One of these would normally sort the problem, if they don't just email us and we can send you over a proforma invoice for payment.