Tea Bags and Loose Leaf Tea

The invention of the tea bag is said to have resulted from the small silk bags sent out to potential customers in 1908 by Thomas Sullivan, a New York City tea importer. Since then, the use of tea bags has grown substantially. However, world-wide, the preference is for loose leaf tea, with only small percentage being made in bags.

Generally, tea bags are chosen for its ease of use and disposability. In brewing, though, too much tannin can be released too quickly, giving a harsher brew. Bags also loose their freshness more quickly, staying fresh, under ideal conditions, only six months, whereas, loose leaf tea will last for up to two years. However, for those who wish to keep tea bags for occasions when time is short, some producers and blenders are preparing quality, specialty teas in bags.

Although there are times when a teabag is a necessity that allows us to carry on with our work without stopping, it does not carry the benefits of reducing our stress and calming us down in order to take on the challenges of our life. Taking that few extra minutes to make a pot of tea, or even just one cup, with an infuser and a quality tea, in itself, helps to bring us back to our centre, allowing us to look at our work from a more grounded perspective