Many of us use tea bags as a convenient way to make either hot or iced tea. However this item that we take for granted was discovered by accident. It is said that an individual who imported the product to the United States placed various samples of leaves into a sachet. This was a convenient way to carry them and show them to interested customers. However a few unknowing customers placed the entire bag with the leaves into the pot thinking that was the correct way to use it. Eventually this idea became quite a hit with tea drinkers.
Tea bags were initially marketed with a silk wrapping but eventually they were made with paper and then gauze. The paper used for the bags is the same type used to make filters for coffee and milk. The fibers for this type of paper come from pulp derived from abaca hemp which is a type of tree found both in Columbia and the Philippines.
Single Cup Coffee Brewers
It wasn't until the beginning of the 20th Century that single bags were available for individuals to buy at the store. This was quite a switch from working with flaky leaves and consumers loved the single bags instantly. Today you can get up to 80% of the various types of tea in this form. There are still some true tea lovers that will only use fresh leaves for their drink though.
Some people say that they can taste a huge difference between a drink made from fresh leaves and tea bags. However the majority of people simply say they can't taste any difference at all. It is believed the quality of the brew makes a difference though and that is why many consumers prefer a specific brand of individual bag.
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Tea bags are very simple to use and they are very inexpensive. They also last for a very long time so you don't have to worry about them going bad. Several people take them to work in their purse so they can just heat up water and enjoy a nice cup while they are at the office.