Supermarket Green Teabags Tested: Best Buys, Dusty Disappointments, and Brewing Secrets

Green tea can be a mixed bag, and many supermarket teabags are filled with dust and fannings left over from whole leaf production. In a blind tasting of major UK supermarket green teas, only one contained whole leaves—and the difference was hugely noticeable. Brewing method matters: use 80°C water (quarter cold, top with just-boiled) and steep for about 90 seconds to avoid bitterness. The best bags delivered sweet, nuanced notes of kelp, edamame, and toasted straw, while others were flat or overly astringent. Organic and single-origin options performed well, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune for a decent cup. For tea drinkers seeking quality without the fuss, this guide reveals which supermarket brands are worth boiling the kettle for—and which to leave on the shelf.