Today there are many ways to infuse your tea. With so many different ways there is still a large number of individuals that still use teabags. Some of those are pyramid teabags. Are pyramid tea bags safe? Is there a difference between natural or organic tea bags? What about pyramid tea bags that are made of certain materials and held together in a unique way. Let’s learn.
Tea Bag History
The first commercial appearance of the tea bag was in 1904. Credited is Thomas Sullivan an American for bringing the tea bag to the world in 1908.
The pyramid tea bag was created in 1996 by PG TIps. PG TIps had been experimenting with different shapes. The pyramid shape seemed to give the right amount of water flow needed to produce a great cup of tea.
Our teabag first began as a tea sack used for delivery. From a sack to a bag. From silk to paper.
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It was an accidental discovery as Thomas used silken bags to deliver his tea to customers. The customers used the tea inside the bag to brew but complained that the silk was too fine. Thomas created the first purposeful tea bag out of gauze. But several years prior Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren of Milwaukee filed for a patent for a “tea leaf holder”. The design (like Sullivans) was made of the same stitched mesh fabric.
The rectangle bag we see more commonly today was not created until 1944. Before 1944 tea bags were like sacks or “bags”. In 1952 Lipton tea created the flow-through tea bag. The bag had four sides and in 1992 Tetley introduced a round teabag.
After gauze, came paper teabags. The tea bags are the same we see today. They came in two sizes and contained the familiar string with a tab at the end for easy removal.
One of the founders of Technical Papers Corporation of Boston is William Hermanson. Hermanson invented heat-sealed paper teabags. William sold his patent to the Salada Tea Company in 1930.
In 1996 the people from PG Tips created the pyramid tea bag. They decided on the pyramid shape because of its ability to allow the tea leaves 50% more room to steep. That much-needed room allows the tea to steep and releases more flavor, naturally.
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The purpose of the pyramid tea bag revealed
While the purpose of the tea bag may seem simple. That wonderful idea did not sit well with everyone. While created by chance the teabag solved a few problems:
- Messy tea leaf removal
- Easy cleanup
- Easy compact storage
- Better brewing efficiency
While it seemed like such a great idea, some things had to change in order for the tea bag to be so successful. In order for the tea leaves to work, they had to be cut. Most tea leaves were too large to expand well in the tea bags. This created a tea known as CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea. CTC teas are a lower grade of tea.
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To a true tea connoisseur, a tea bag is out of the question. A tea bag goes against the grain of their idea of a great cup of tea. They believe the teabag restricts the natural beauty of the tea leaves’ flow. They believe the tea bag can change the aroma and flavors of the tea. As mentioned earlier the appearance of the tea itself changes.
There is yet a good use for tea bags according to tea lovers. With the introduction of herbs and spices, that are infused with tea. The tea bag makes it possible to measure the ingredients. Teabags can keep the ingredients contained inside the bag while brewing.
With the Pyramid tea bag, there is even a great use. Growth. As the tea leaves grow and expand inside the tea bag they are releasing more flavor. More flavor than any other tea bag. The shape itself offers a unique fit into the teacup or much.
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Extra fine mesh holes are designed to hold tealeaves, particles or grounds intact while allowing the flavor to drift out
The nature of Pyramid tea bags
Do tea bags expire?
A concern would be the toxicity of the teabag. Another concern can be the process in which the tea bag is made and the materials used. Once heated the concern is if any toxins leach into the teacup? That is a lot to consider. Teabags should be used within a year. While they may be used after that time they may change the color or flavor of your tea. What we will look at is the bag itself, the material, and the sealant used. We can discuss what is the safest product to brew our tea in.
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What are pyramid tea bags made of?
Paper – Teabag papers are made of cellulose and cotton. This type of paper is treated with a chemical to help hold the bag together. The chemical is epichlorohydrin. As the tea bag heats those chemicals can leak into your tea.
Plastic -Well, they’re made of plastic and we all should know by now that hot water and plastic do not make a good outcome. They are also not biodegradable. The plastic used is a viscose rayon, PVC, thermoplastic, or polypropylene. The plastic or silken tea bags are made of nylon or polyethylene terephthalate. These materials are not biodegradable. But have a higher heat tolerance and do not leach as fast in the hot water. This in-depth study shows the concerns of plastic within tea bags.
Nylon – Nylon is not biodegradable. There is a temperature at which Nylon and plastic start to break down. That point’s called the glass transition. For these materials, it’s generally around 169 degrees (for PET) And 116 degrees for nylon. which is much lower than the temperature I use for my teas. The boiling point of water is 212 degrees. I think you can see the problem with these materials.
Corn-based plastic bags – Made from GMO corn and no one wants that. Some argue this bag can be biodegradable. It is not recognized as such and considering it’s a source who wants to put it BACK into the earth.
Silk – Today’s silk or silken bags are made with plastic. About 20-30% of the bag is plastic. The plastic can be food-grade nylon or plant-based plastic that is from corn.
Cotton – Cotton has no plastic. Having no plastic makes cotton safe and fully biodegradable. Some cotton tea bags can also be reused. Most cotton tea bags are not pyramided tea bags. They are more like. small sack with a drawstring on the top.
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How is the tea pyramid tea bag sealed?
The sealant is something that needs to be considered. The way a tea bag is sealed is still important information to know. Teabags can be sealed with glue, staples, heat, and sewn by hand or machine. This information is not shared by tea manufacturers. If you are curious about the structure of your tea bag, ASK!
Most pyramid teabags are created out of paper with a small mix of polypropylene. Polypropylene is used to assist in the sealing of the pyramid teabags.
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Are pyramid tea bags good?
Pyramid tea bags are efficient. Of course, it’s always been a matter of opinion on what you think is best in your cup. Tea drinkers have choices. The way the tea bags are made in a pyramid shape allows a better flow of water. Better water flow allows the tea leaf to expand. Expansion of the tea leaf allows for a faster infusion of tea or herbs into your cup. With other tea bags, the infusion time can be dragged out. There are times that the tea leaf is still dry and not even infused. This happens when the tea unfurls and there is no room for it to grow.
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The bottom line on pyramid tea bags
Tea drinkers are a unique group. We range from “drop a tea bag in there” to “I’d never drink that”. Teabags have their place in our lives. For me, it is convenient at work. At home, rarely do I use one. There are people who believe tea drinkers do not care what their tea bags are made of. I beg to differ on that opinion. Tea drinkers can be fussy. We care. We want to know what is in our teas. We most certainly care about what our tea bags are made of and how they are put together. We love the idea of the pyramid tea bag and its usefulness. We worry about plastics in our cups, kettles, and teabags.
Organic pyramid teabags can make a difference. But how much? Up to now, the pyramid tea bag may allow our tea to flow faster, smoother, and more effectively. But at what cost? Those bags are not silk, but a combination of microplastics that do leach into our tea. There are reports of companies working on a better pyramid tea bag. Unfortunately, until that time comes the pyramid tea bag is at risk. How many microplastic particles be released by a single pyramid tea bag? How about 11.6 BILLION according to researchers at McGill University.
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Conclusion
While some feel we as tea drinkers do not care. I believe that we do. we research to find the tea bags that work best. Remember to ask when purchasing your teas about the material and substances holding your teabag together. When in doubt, don’t! That’s what my father always used to say. Pyramid tea bags are convenient, no doubt, but at what cost?
Best choice of all, none. But that is for another day and another article. Questions? Please ask away, I always respond.
6 thoughts on “Pyramid Tea Bags, Are They Better Than What You Are Using Now?”
A great read with good information. Thanks. I would like to see the data on the flow and other claims so I know it is not all just a marketing ploy. Where can I find such data? Thanks again, B.
Great suggestion, I will look into this and get back to you. What’s your favorite tea, B?
Why are the bags called “pyramid”? This has been annoying me since they first appeared, they are tetrahedrons not pyramids.
Absolutely correct. I think in some cases a tetrahedron is called a triangular pyramid. So as to simplify a pyramid name it was given.
Excellent article, thank you! I just emailed the Loyd Tea company to ask what their “pyramid” tea bags are made from, but I wanted info sooner. Google showed me your article. Looks like I will be cutting the tea bags open and putting the tea into my stainless-steel infuser. Not convenient, but healthier!
Hello Oksana,
It is one of the ways around having those pesky chemicals in our tea. I like the way you think. Let me know what Loyd tea replies.
Enjoy the day and be safe!