A closer look
One curious misunderstanding can change the way the world sips its tea. In the early 1900s, an American merchant sent out samples tucked into dainty little silk bags. Customers, rather than cut them open, dipped them straight into hot water—and to their surprise, the flavor streamed out! What might have been a shipping trick suddenly became a global habit. With one simple plunge, tea time became faster, fuss-free, and portable. The tea bag is a perfect reminder: sometimes innovation doesn’t come from grand plans, but from the small delights of everyday accidents.
