Tea bags have a fascinating backstory: Here’s what you didn’t know
A morning cup of tea is an indispensable part of our daily life. Most of us can’t do without it. Tea has been part of various cultures all across the world. Okay, but when did it first emerge? Well, legends have it that tea was discovered by Shannong, a Chinese emperor of the ancient Shaang Dynasty, almost 4500 years ago. As it happened, one fine day, he inadvertently tasted and enjoyed a cup of this freshly brewed hot drink, when some dried tea leaves accidentally fell into his cup of boiled water. Initially, tea was not consumed extensively as it was believed that it only had medicinal qualities. However, two millennia later, people began to realise that tea could be consumed regularly. This resulted in a surge in its usage across China during the rule of the Qin Dynasty. Over time, it became customary to offer tea to guests as a mark of respect, and slowly tea moved from the confines of pharmacy counters, to kitchen shelves. The growing popularity of tea was noticed by the British, who then began to import it and popularise it in their colonies.
What’s fascinating here is that, just like tea itself, tea-bag too may has an interesting backstory. Well, tea bags ensure convenience. They are easier to use than tea leaves, especially outside home, be it in office premises or during commute (in airports and railways). Maybe that’s why most people consider it as a travel companion. But how did teabags come into being? Interestingly, there are two origin theories associated with teabags. Let’s explore them as we trace their evolution with time.
World welcomes tea leaf holder
It is believed that in the early 20th century, two American women, Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren invented and patented what they called a “tea leaf holder.” This is identical to the modern-day tea bags. Their goal was to brew just a single cup of tea at a time, instead of making tea for many using a teapot. They described their creation as something that will be used to hold the leaves together, that would only disperse through small infusions, yet fully exposed to the boiling water. Unfortunately, they failed to launch it successfully.
Tea bags take off accidentally
With the turn of the century, tea was largely becoming popular worldwide. But the process of preparing tea was quite tedious. Consumers had to use teapots, strainers and tea caddies to make themselves that cup of tea. Amidst such a situation, in 1908, an American tea and coffee importer named Thomas Sullivan decided to launch samples of tea in small quantities, packed in silk pouches. However, what he didn’t expect was that the tea lovers would directly dip the pouches into boiling water. As fate would have it, many found it convenient to do so, not to forget it meant minimal wastage of tea leaves combined with perfect neatness. This practice became quite popular. Sullivan too didn’t miss this opportunity to further his sales of these popular silk pouches. Eventually, realising that silk was too costly, he shifted to gauze to make his pioneering tea bags more affordable. Smart, isn’t it?
Filter paper replaces fabric
The use of fabric, be it silk or gauze, was discontinued in the 1930s in the US and filter paper took its place. While loose leaf tea was also available, tea bags started becoming a more popular choice on American store shelves. From the USA, it gradually shifted to the UK in the hands of Tetley in 1939. However, years later in 1952, the practice of using tea bags actually kicked off among British tea lovers when Lipton introduced their “flo-thru” teabag.
But it wasn’t before another turn of the century that almost everyone in the country was using tea bags in their homes. With time, they spread to other parts of the world too.