Quick Answer
Bubble tea shops commonly use three tea formats: (1) loose-leaf tea, brewed and then strained, suited to batch brewing with freely adjustable strength; (2) no-filter tea bags, with leaves sealed in a filter bag that you simply lift out, skipping the straining step; and (3) tea extraction bags, small portions used with a tea extraction machine to brew cup by cup, suited to shops that promote “freshly extracted” tea. Choose based on four things: your equipment, staffing, cup volume and how much consistency you need.
The Three Formats Compared
| Comparison | Loose-leaf tea | No-filter tea bags | Extraction bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing | Batch brew, then strain | Brew with the bag, then lift it out | Single-cup extraction with a machine |
| Equipment | Tea brewer or water boiler, strainer, insulated tea barrel | Tea brewer or water boiler, insulated tea barrel | Tea extraction machine |
| Labor | More (straining, cleaning) | Less | Little, but every cup needs handling |
| Consistency | Depends on SOP discipline | Fixed portions, more consistent | Fixed portion per cup, most consistent |
| Freshness | One batch at a time, used within its holding time | Same | Extracted fresh per cup |
| Best for | High-volume, experienced shops | Shops wanting a simpler workflow | Shops promoting fresh extraction, moderate volume |
Tang Sugar’s Tea Pack Sizes
| Format | Specification (per Tang Sugar product list) |
|---|---|
| Loose-leaf tea | 600g per bag, 20 bags per carton |
| No-filter tea bags | 60g per bag, 50 bags per set, 10 sets per carton |
| Extraction bags | 8g per bag, 50 bags per set, 10 sets per carton |
Most teas (black tea, Ruby Black, Earl Grey, Assam, Ceylon, Four Seasons Spring, charcoal-roasted oolong, Tieguanyin, jasmine green tea and Thai tea) come in matching formats, so you can mix them to suit your equipment.
How to Choose: 3 Questions
- Do you have a tea extraction machine? If so, consider extraction bags; if not, loose-leaf tea or no-filter bags fit better.
- How many cups do you sell? At high peak volumes, batch brewing is more efficient; moderate volumes can use single-cup extraction.
- What are your staffing and training costs? No-filter and extraction bags have fixed portions, so new staff learn faster.
Whichever format you use, follow the pack’s recommended water temperature, time and dosage and write them into your store SOP. For equipment, see How to Open a Bubble Tea Shop.
Products in this article
All 8 Tea Leaves →
FAQ
What is a no-filter tea bag?
Tea leaves sealed in a filter bag that you lift out after brewing, so there are no leaves to strain.
What is the difference between extraction bags and no-filter tea bags?
Extraction bags are smaller portions for single-cup extraction with a machine; no-filter bags are larger and usually brew a whole batch at once.
What are the advantages of loose-leaf tea?
Loose-leaf tea suits batch brewing, lets you adjust strength and dosage freely, and is efficient for high-volume shops.
What tea pack sizes does Tang Sugar offer?
Loose-leaf tea in 600g bags, no-filter tea bags at 60g each, and extraction bags at 8g each.
Further Reading
- Which Tea Is Best for Milk Tea?
- How to Open a Bubble Tea Shop
- How Much Caffeine Is in Bubble Tea?
- Milk Tea Powder or Freshly Brewed Tea?
- Bubble Tea Ingredients List: Supplies, Packaging and Equipment
Sources
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
- Tang Sugar: Tea Shop Opening Services
