These smaller pieces are called "fannings" or "dust." The tea in regular tea bags is often lower quality than loose-leaf tea because it is made up of these smaller pieces, which can be less flavorful and aromatic than larger tea leaves. Regular tea bags are also often treated with chemicals to help preserve the tea leaves and give them a longer shelf life.

Tea has been consumed for thousands of years, and the earliest recorded use of tea dates back to ancient China. Loose-leaf tea was the only way that tea was consumed for centuries, with the tea leaves being brewed in pots and poured into cups. It was not until the 20th century that tea bags were invented, and they quickly became popular due to their convenience