Rose Tea Cottage

Where tea is served at half past four




Teabags were accidentlally invented in 1904 by a New York tea merchant named William Sullivan, who stumbled upon the idea of sending tea samples to customers in handsewn silk bags, rather than the common bulky tea tins. He was soon flooded with orders for tea in the convenient little bags.

Many tea aficionados disdain the teabags as inferior at best and sacrilegious at worst. The tea particles in bags are smaller and therefore brew more quickly; if the bag is left to brew as long as one normally allows loose tea to brew, the tea will turn out to taste bitter and flat. Used properly, however, teabags make an acceptable cup of tea.

37 comments:

Teresa's New Life said...

Love the post today. Tea bags are life savers when time is short. The teabag holder is too precious. Is it yours?
Yesterday's post is so beautiful. It really inspires one to grow tomatoes. My I can't wait to make tomatoes and mozzarella with fresh basil and olive oil YUM!

parTea lady said...

I used tea bags for many years in Canada (Red Rose and Tetley) before trying loose tea. I still use tea bags every day, as well as loose tea.

Your photos are lovely. I really like that pretty tea bag holder.

ProdigalWife said...

Welcome back--we missed you too! Your friend's tomatoes look fabulous (and you know we love the name Kate!). Oh--no need to apologize, most people use teabags, at lest sometime--even the old Prodigal (English though, of course)!

Anonymous said...

Tea bag is the only way I've ever had my cuppa...my fellow Red Hats say one day they'll need to remedy that, but so far they haven't...LOL!

Mimi said...

HI!!!
I love tea, but only cold for some reason, if I'm sick, I love hot tea with honey and lemon, my MOm drinks hot tea every single day!!!!
I wanted to tell you the little Josef figurine that holds your tea bag, I have collected those for years!!! Not anymore as I have so many!!! I will have to send you one of mine!!!!! As a gift from one friend to another!!!!!
Hugs,
jamie

Miss Matilda said...

adorable, we use a tea ball in this house xx

love home|life|style said...

I've just popped by for a swift cuppa, and how nice, you have teabags on the go. Milk and one sugar please ma lady. x

Anonymous said...

Oh Duchess such a wonderful post. I love the sweet little tea bag holder and the collection of teas is awesome. Thank you so much for partisipating in 'Tea and friendship Tuesday's' I hope you have a lovely day ♥

Snigdha said...

your blog is totally wonderful ,the pictures are great and the music so soothing.Thanks for visiting my blog and thanks for the encouragement

Anonymous said...

Thank you Duchess, my tuesday was great! :)
I hope your wednesday is just as great. Thank you for stopping by, always nice to hear from you.

Girl With One Eye x

Wendy said...

Loose, bags, tins.... everything stops for it!
Wx

Madeline's Album said...

I love the little tea bag holder. Love all the information about tea bags. Have a great Tea and Friendship Tuesday.

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

I ♥ this post!!!!!

Thanks so much for your sweet visit. I'm going to love coming here for refreshment.

ashsdelicacies.blogspot.ca said...

Excellent post dear...The fotos are just amazing...Your blog is so different dear...

debi said...

I enjoyed your post...wonderful! Love the beautiful teacup and that adorable tea bag holder.

Julie said...

Hi Duchess such a wonderful post...
I have an award for you , so please stop by ....http://workingonadream-julie.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-first-blog-award.html

debra@dustjacket said...

It's funny how things like teabags started. Thank you for clueing me in my dear.

Thanks for your lovely comment, made me laugh, your too nice Duchess ;)
xxx

Eileen said...

I love the tea bag holder. :) I have several of those from my grandmother's china.

Eileen said...

I am in awe of your blog! I've been reading some of your post, it's really so beautiful! One of the prettiest and most interesting I've seen.
I love all the pictures on your side bar too. All the work you must put into this is mind-boggling. Your enjoyment for this, and your wonderful knack for decorating, and your love of life just exudes.
I'm really impressed!

Oh, and I had home-grown tomato, basil, mozzarella, and sweet peppers drizzled with olive oil for dinner tonight! It is one of my most favorite dishes!

Wonderful blog!
And thank you for stopping by mine and leaving your kind comments.
All the best,
Eileen

Rose said...

What an interesting post duchess. Thats amazing that tea bags were a mistake invention! I dont drink plain tea unfortunately, i always go for the herbal delights :)
I love that little tea bag holder in the first picture, and the tea cup next to it too.
Hope you have a lovely week :)

Rose

debra@dustjacket said...

just got your comment, made me laugh again.

I love the little teabag holder in your picture too :)
xoxo

Faiza Ali said...

Nice post about tea bag. And nice clicks as usual. That tea bag holder is so cute ans pretty .

Unknown said...

I never knew this about small tea bags!Beautiful pictures!!! It inspires me to have a beautiful tea party. Thank you for the beautiful post!

Dumbwit Tellher said...

So informative Duchess. I would love to take the time to learn more as to how to make that perfect cup. It's like coffee, an art. Thanks for the lesson, so fun. I do hope you are doing well this week dearest?

Xxxdeb

Yankee Girl said...

I'm back from my trip and trying like crazy to get caught up! It's proving to be difficult though because my reader is acting up.

I tried using loose tea once and it proved to be so much more difficult than tea bags. It was almost hard for me to enjoy my tea, so now I'm back to the bags.

Melissa said...

I adore you and your lovely blog.

Thank you for being so kind.

Love Melissa

Pomona said...

It's the pot what makes all the difference, Your Grace. And never squish the bag in a mug with a wooden spoon.

Pomona x

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'm no expert. So teabags work the best for me. I have some really nice loose tea, but can never seem to make it just right.

Sierra said...

Tea bags are the best, they are wonderful for iced tea and hot tea at the same time!

Mary said...

Great information. I recently learned of the differences in brands of tea as well. I suppose tea is like coffee, in that there are different tastes between them. Where did you find the little lady teabag holder...is it vintage? Just a lovely post. Thank you!

My Passport to Style said...

Beautifully evocative post, I could smell Italy!Adorable favourite things,glad you were able to respond to my tag and thanks for the post re My Passport to Style.xxx

Lynn said...

Thank you, great post on tea and tea bags :)

Joshy and belle said...

hello
i have just found your blog, its lovely, i live in a little cottage in england and love drinking milky tea whilst crocheting!!! fliss xx

koralee said...

So lovely...your posts are always inspiring and I so enjoyed this one because I was able to find out a little more about you! Thank you for the history behind the tea bag...I don't drink coffee just tea and don't know what I would do without it!!!! What type of tea was in those beautiful packages?

COUNTRY MOM said...

You have a beautiful blog. I enjoyed this post. Congratulations on your awards. Blessings,

Poppy Cottage said...

Oh I just love the sweet little tea bag holder! She is too cute.
I just love a good cup of tea ;)

Sharon

Anne said...

I just loved that little dish, "Your tea bag please." So cute. I have to admit. I use tea bags all of the time. I have to admit that I have never tried loose tea leaves before. I just like the convenience of the tea bags. I hate how long it takes to brew tea though. I want my tea NOW I tell ya (lol)!

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