2015/12/22 - Gaëlle
Tea infusers have a little broken history. Dynasty after dynasty, China did not think about it. Necessity being the mother of invention, it appears that the Chinese did not need it: they just poured their hot water over the tea leaves, leaving the leaves swell and infuse water from the teapot. Instead of infusing, the Chinese invented accessories to remove the leaves.
It was in Britain that the infusers emerged and their popularity exploded in the late 19th - early 20th century. However, when a merchant named Sullivan sold tea in silk bags, disposable tea bags were invented and gained popularity in the market.
Disposable bag or infuser?
Teas sold in bags have mixtures and pre-decided amounts, and most of the time, these individual disposable bags comprise venting tea rather that the leaves themselves. It is possible to buy individual disposable infuser paper ... but with the return of loose tea, Chinese or here, infusers are increasingly fashionable. They control the desired quantities and produce a well-brewed tea - without having to sift, sort, or provide issues fishing the floating particles following the infusion. Practical and useful!
Freedom of Choice
Another reason behind the new "boom" of tea infusers: the impressive array of shapes and different looks. Although tea infusers may be very common (metal mesh balls, for example), you will find fun and original variations. Infusers surmounted by shark fins or by a plastic duck with infusers having the effigy of animals or humans taking a dip in your cup, these infusers are not only useful: they are pleasing, perfect to offer as a gift. Who would not melt immediately in front of their unusual charm?
When talking about tea Accessory, talking about a teacup is obvious, unmistakable, it even creates expressions around the subject ("It's not my cup of tea") whose origin is then forgotten.
Yet, there are several characteristics to that cup of tea! Its forms and materials have evolved since the first models were fashioned in clay, a marvel of Oriental pottery dating back centuries before the year 0.