“We don’t make mistakes. We just have happy accidents.” Just like this quote of Bob Ross, today we are going to talk about one such happy accident: TEA BAGS.
You must have come across and used over a few teabags in your lifetime, isn’t it? That little bag of enticing flavors that turns simple hot water into something so savory. Ever wondered where did it come from, what are its different types, and what else can this little bundle of taste be used for? Let’s talk TEA BAGS!
THE HISTORY OF TEA BAGS
Teabags have been used for a few centuries now. They were initially developed during the 8th century under the Tang Dynasty. They were made of paper that was folded and stitched into square little bags.
Talking about the western hemisphere, they were used as early as the 1900s. Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren made the patent of ‘tea leaf holder’ theirs. The stitched mesh fabric that made brewing more convenient and let tea leaves expand was their style.
One more of the first manufacturers of tea bags was known as Thomas Sullivan. Initially, he used silk before turning to gauze, which infused tea leaves more effectively.
Teekanne became one of the first companies to manufacture tea bags using machines in 1929, Germany. William Hermanson in 1930 patented the heat-sealed paper tea bag. In 1944, rectangular tea bags made a debut. Till this point, all the tea bags had no shape and were nothing more than shapeless sacks. It was Tetley, a British tea company that began to produce tea bags in huge numbers.
POPULARITY OF TEA BAGS
Teabags are enormously popular all over the world contrary to what some people believe. Surveys show that the people who prefer tea bags can go up to 98% of Americans and 96% in the UK. Moreover, tea bags are used regularly in India, Japan, and many places.
Initially, these were popular only in the United States, partly because these were invented there and also because Americans love to save their time and effort. Widely they were available in the U.S by 1920 and didn’t reach the UK till 1953 when Tetley launched them in the market for the first time.
WHY TEA BAGS?
Tea brewing and drinking are extremely convenient when it comes to tea bags. All one needs with them is hot water and there, tea is ready! One can make tea as strong as they desire and then remove the bag and keep it aside.
SOME COMMON USES OF TEA BAGS
As one might guess, yes it is used to make the favourite brew. But there are a few more uses that are more common than people know. Listed down are a few:
– They help remove dark circles
– They can help deodorize places like the home or office
– They are used in cooking
– They are also used in decorations
TEABAG MATERIALS
Commonly made of filter paper, cotton muslin, or food-grade plastic, tea bags are then sealed with glue. Often they also have bleached or unbleached strings with a paper indicating the company name in which they have been manufactured.
The default tea bag material is said to be filter paper. It is environmentally safe relatively and not toxic. As for food-grade plastic aka silken tea bags, they are popular because they have two benefits. First, they are semi-permanent hence one can see what they contain. The second one is that they infuse tea better.
Till now, everyone must have used a few hundred of tea bags in all households. Isn’t it sad that these little bags are used only once and then find a place in the bin? Well not anymore! Here’s why! Now for the surprise element of this blog. Ready! We all know the common uses of the little bag of magic, but let’s know a bit more about the uses of it, shall we?
INTERESTING USES and FACTS ABOUT TEA BAGS
1. Make your carpets new: Let the tea bag dry up, remove the leaves and mix it with baking soda. Sprinkle it over the dingy spots and let it rest for 20 minutes. Voila! A new smelling carpet.
2. Rehydrate skin: Let the tea bag dry up, remove the leaves and mix it with baking soda. Sprinkle it over the dingy spots and let it rest for 20 minutes. Voila! A new smelling carpet.
3. Get rid of grease: Place a tea bag and fill the vessel with water. Leave it overnight and done!
4. Can be used to start a fire
5. Treat rashes: Use a damp, cool tea bag and put it on the affected area.
6. Use it for compost
7. Treat swollen gums: Keep a cool tea bag in the affected area for 5 minutes.
8. Protect plants from fungus
9. It helps soothe sunburned skin
10. Use it as mouthwash: Peppermint tea bags can be made a quick mouthwash
11. Use it to relieve razor burn
Did you know these little tea bags were so darn useful? Well, now you know!
Now that we have covered so much about these little marvels, don’t you want to just sip some tea? Go ahead! It’s always tea time!