Why do tea grades matter? The larger the leaf, the greater its surface area for steeping and the more complex the infusion. Numi uses only hand-plucked, fuller leaf quality tea for a pure taste that balances depth and nuance. Many bagged teas are machine-picked and use low-quality fannings and dust. Smaller grades release tannins more quickly, leading to a dark, bitter-tasting cup. When you drink our tea, you’ll immediately taste the difference.