Today, tea bag consumption accounts for around 95% of all tea sales in Europe. The tea bags commonly found in supermarkets typically contain the cheapest tea available, resulting in low-quality tea.

The truth is that tea bags are a relatively new invention, as tea has been served loose for thousands of years, allowing for a variety of different methods to separate the leaves from the water. Several ancient books have been found that provide detailed instructions and advice on how to enjoy loose tea . The most famous of these teachings was written around 800 AD by the Chinese philosopher Lu Yu, called the Ch'a Ching.

The History of Tea Bags

The first tea bags were actually an accidental invention (as many are). Thomas Sullivan, a tea and coffee merchant in New York City, tried to reduce sample costs by shipping loose tea in small, hand-sewn silk bags instead of the expensive tins most other merchants were using at the time.

Potential customers, confused by this new packaging, poured the bagged tea directly into hot water, and Mr. Sullivan began receiving numerous requests for these "tea bags." He realized there was a new market for this new form of tea, thanks to its quick and easy preparation. With the use of silk tea bags, he made this method of preparing tea seductively convenient.

Tea bags began appearing on the market around 1904 and quickly spread throughout the world. Unfortunately, this convenience comes at a high price today, as the use of bags created a problem with undue leaf expansion.

For a tea leaf to fully release its flavor, it needs a lot of space. Because tea bags have less space, the quality has declined, and to solve this problem, the answer was to make smaller leaves. This way, less space is needed to expand during infusion. And, since the tea is almost hidden and barely visible to the end consumer, it is difficult for people to check the tea's quality.

Because leaf size no longer matters, merchants can purchase much cheaper grades of tea, known as "fannings" or "tea dust." These are the lowest grades of tea. This tea certainly adds color to your cup, but almost no flavor. Consequently, companies begin packing tea leaves in paper filters, which is a much cheaper alternative but allows water to flow through the tea bag just as easily, further reducing quality.

Most supermarkets still offer only low-quality, bagged tea products, leaving most consumers with the belief that nothing better is available. But this is a far cry from the abundance of flavor and aroma found in a cup of premium, full-leaf tea.

At Tetique, we have the perfect teas for your bakery , restaurant, or cafe! We offer a wide variety of carefully selected flavors and aromas to please your customers. Our expert team is ready to provide personalized advice. Make your business stand out with Tetique's delicious teas!

Modern alternative to tea bags

Recently, tea manufacturers have begun to brainstorm new ways to address this problem, asking themselves, "How can we maintain consumer loyalty without sacrificing quality?"

One of the responses that has emerged is larger leaves and larger tea bags. And thanks to modern technology, new manufacturing methods are now capable of using higher-quality bags, such as organic tea pyramids that allow more water to flow through, resulting in a more flavorful cup.

Discover the variety of tea options we offer at Tétique, satisfying all your tastes and needs! Our catalog includes a wide selection of formats, from practical individual tea bags to elegant pyramids and eco-friendly single-serve options.

If you're looking for convenience and comfort, our tea bags are ideal. Each bag contains the perfect amount of tea for a delicious cup, making them a perfect option to take with you anywhere or enjoy at the office.

If you prefer a more indulgent experience, our pyramid teas are an exceptional choice. These silk pyramids are filled with high-quality loose tea leaves, allowing for a full infusion and optimal release of flavors and aromas.

We're also proud to offer organic single-serve teas , perfect for those who value sustainability and respect for the environment. These biodegradable single-serve teas contain carefully selected teas from organic crops, ensuring a pure and natural tea experience.

At Tétique, our passion for tea drives us to offer you the best quality and the widest variety of options. We are suppliers of organic teas for businesses. No matter the format you choose, we invite you to enjoy excellence in every cup. Discover our extensive catalog and let yourself be captivated by the captivating flavors and aromas of our teas.