The choice between loose and bagged has become pretty much academic in my area, as I've been unable to find any local source that still stocks loose tea, and my rate of use does not support purchasing in quantities appropriate for minimum economical order sizes from the few reasonably convenient web/mail order sources.

My observation some years ago when I actually did drink a fair amount of tea was that "I can taste the paper" when bags are used. While this may convey the "effect," I believe it's really the result of poor packaging by the remaining suppliers. The loose tea I once could get easily came in a "sturdy" container that was virtually air-tight when opened and reclosed. The bags may come in a "cello" bag, but often are in a simple cardboard box. The bags are intended to look like they protect the contents, but are seldom "hermetic," so they might as well package the bags in an old sock.

My conclusion is that anything available in my area will be SWP - Stale When Purchased, and if it's lain around loose on the floor long enough one might as well boil a piece of paper. It tastes about the same.

Small remnants of some loose tea in tins that I purchased "a while back" still make a reasonably decent cup. (I don't have enough of any of it left to make a pot.) I believe these were purchased ca. 1980 and are still "good" although not really fresh.

I've tried removing the contents of a few recently purchased bags to see if the brewing made a difference and find nothing to brew that resembles tea. Looks like floor dust. Not identifiable as a vegetable product. Tastes the same as if the bag is soaked (with or without the contents).

A sad situation, that hopefully is somewhat a local thing; but as long as the retail market is patronized by those who think a pretty package and an extortionate price means it has to be good and they must have it - there's little hope of change here.

A "certain other person in the house" drinks a lot of iced tea, from "instant powder." It is becoming increasingly difficult to find even that, since all available sources stock only the "with lemon flavor" which she detests. (The "lemon flavor" conceals the absence of "tea flavor" and permits a cheaper grade of floor sweepings - and a better profit - in the product, apparently. By pricing the "lemon flavored" $0.10 more - on a $3 jar - the yuppies think it must be better so that's the only thing they buy.)

I guess I'll have another cup of coffee.

John