Tea 201 - Tea and the 20th Century

🌍 The 20th Century Boom of Tea

While tea has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the popularity of tea really began to rise.

📜 The Birth of the Tea Bag

This was the century that the all-too-familiar tea bag came into existence, thanks to the creative mind of Thomas Sullivan.

He was a tea merchant from New York who used to send tea samples in silk bags to his customers.

This intriguing invention dramatically lowered the cost of tea, making it more accessible to the masses.

It also eliminated the need for extra and complicated utensils, making tea even easier to enjoy.

🌱 Expansion of Tea Cultivation

During this period, tea cultivation expanded beyond its traditional Asian origins.

Our beloved Camellia sinensis found new homes in Africa and South America.

📈 The 3 Major Reasons Tea Grew in Popularity in the West

1️⃣ The "Back to Nature" Movement 🌿

• The rising trend of leading a simple and healthy lifestyle played a key role.
• Tea, being a natural beverage with many health benefits, fit perfectly into this trend.

2️⃣ Asian Immigration 🌏

• A massive wave of Asian immigrants brought their love of tea with them to the West.
• This cultural exchange introduced new tea traditions and increased demand.

3️⃣ Western Travelers to the East ✈️

• As more Westerners explored Asia, they returned home with a newfound love for tea.
• This exposure helped popularize various Eastern tea customs and flavors.

💰 The Tea Industry Today

The result?
Tea has exploded into a $3 billion a year industry, producing over 2.5 million tons of tea annually in more than 20 countries! ☕🚀

Phew—what an industry! 😲