Tea Bags Recipes Food Cooking International Guide

Tea Bags Are For Convenience

By Fiona Harker

Tea comes in many different varieties and has been a primary drink in many cultures throughout the ages, but it’s only in the last century or so, that tea bags were introduced to quickly brew a cup of tea and make it fast and easy to clean up.

The majority of tea bags have strings attached for easy removal from the tea pot or tea cup and are designed to hold the tea vertically suspended in the hot water to seep thoroughly so that the most flavor possible is released from the tea leaf.

One key point to a good tea bag, and therefore a good cup of tea, is that the bag has enough room so that the enclosed leaves are able to swirl somewhat in the water in order to release the full flavor. A poorly designed bag that is too small will result in very little taste.

Some Tea Bags May Contain The Poorest Quality Tea

For some who are true tea lovers, there are concerns about any mass manufactured tea because such tea bags are said to be filled with the poorest quality of tea from a batch and contain the smallest pieces of broken leaves and even dust of the leaves, sometimes called floor sweepings.

Teas of this quality release the tannin faster resulting in a final cup of tea with a harsh and bitter taste, rather the a rich smooth flavor which is preferred. Another reason for manufacturers to use the small, broken tea leaf is because a tea in such a condition takes less time to brew, which seems to appeal to the consumer who is always in a rush and impatient for things like steeping time.

High–End Product

With that in mind, it is interesting that in the marketplace, tea bags are often perceived as being the more high–end product. However, it is the convenience, not the taste that stands out.

While loose tea leaves enjoy a wide base of loyal consumers, who mostly consider themselves tea connoisseurs, the tea bags are marketed more toward the professionals and middle and upper middle class who prefer the convenience over the taste.

Handmade Gourmet Tea Bags

However, a good compromise is developing because more of the gourmet tea companies are finding ways to bring handmade gourmet tea bags into the market that allow for proper steeping, are filled with good quality tea leaves, and offer a whole new experience in flavors for tea drinkers, both in the quality of the taste and in the variety of blends that can be enjoyed at the gourmet level.

Better Quality Tea With Triangular Tea Bags

One of the newer developments for delivering a better quality cup of tea, has been bags that are triangular in shape, as opposed to the common square variety and the less common round bag.

The triangular shape allows for packing larger tea leaves and also including flowers which are common to many herbal tea blends and this shape also is said to allow for a better flow of water around the leaves and resulting in a better brew.

While these are positive steps, for the real purists who want to enjoy the best flavor they possibly can, the only way to go is loose leaf teas, instead of tea bags.

For many, there is a ritual to the leaves that is part of the tea drinking experience, while for others they simple prefer the control they feel they have over the end result by being able to adjust the amount of tea in the infuser.

About the Author:
Fiona Harker has written a number of articles on tea and food including Black Tea, White Tea, Green Tea, Tea Set, Tea Maker, Tea Kettle, Tea Party, Tea Cup.
Keep a lookout for more articles on this website.

Did You Know?

What is green tea?
Green tea is a popular tea beverage that has recently received a lot of attention because it has been found to have many health benefits for those who drink it regularly.

It comes from the Camellia sinensis plant that is primarily grown in China and other Asian countries and it differs from black tea, that also comes from the same plant, in that it is less processed and is not fermented.

It is believed that this lack of processing helps to retain many of the nutrients and anti–oxidents found in green tea and makes these components more readily available to the body, helping to boost the immune system and prevent many diseases and even prevent tooth decay.

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