What did they use before tea bags?

Loose tea:

* Teapots: The most common method was to put loose tea leaves in a teapot and pour hot water over them.

* Tea strainers: These were metal or porcelain strainers placed inside a cup or teapot to hold the loose leaves, allowing the tea to brew while preventing the leaves from entering the drink.

* Tea balls: Similar to tea strainers, these were small balls with holes that held tea leaves, allowing them to steep in hot water.

* Infusion bags: These were small bags made of muslin or other fabric that contained tea leaves and were submerged in hot water to steep.

Other methods:

* Boiling tea leaves directly in water: This was a common practice in some cultures, but it resulted in a stronger and often bitter tea.

* Using a tea caddy: Tea caddies were small containers used to store loose tea, often made of porcelain or silver.

* "Tea bricks" or "tea cakes": In some parts of Asia, tea was pressed into solid bricks or cakes that were broken apart and brewed.

The invention of the tea bag in the early 20th century revolutionized tea consumption, making it much more convenient and portable.