Get the perfect cup of tea with these strainers and infusers
- jul
- 03
There's certainly nothing wrong with buying convenient and inexpensive pre-bagged tea. But for an excellent taste experience and less packaging waste, loose leaf tea is the way to go. You just need an infuser or strainer, and you can brew fresh hot or cold tea anytime. Here are some of the best infusers you can buy.
Mighty fine
HOUSE AGAIN Extra Fine Mest Tea Infuser
Staff Pick
This simple stainless steel mesh strainer has extra-fine holes to minimize debris at the bottom of your cup. It's large enough for the tea to move around freely as it brews and sized to fit most mugs, cups, or even teapots. The collapsible arms keep the infuser stable; the included silicone lid keeps the tea warm as it brews and acts as a saucer when you're done brewing.
Big ball
HOUSE AGAIN Tea Ball Infuser
If you prefer a ball-style infuser, make it a big one like this. It's perfect for brewing in a tall container like a pitcher. Place the tea inside, screw on the lid, and then you can hang it from the edge of your pitcher to brew in hot water. After the brew time, remove the infuser, add ice and water, and you've got a pitcher full of fresh iced tea.
Ingenius
Adagio Teas ingenuiTEA Bottom-Dispensing Teapot
This clever little BPA-free Triton plastic teapot has a built-in stainless steel strainer. Place your loose leaf tea and hot water inside. When the brew time is up, place the teapot on top of a mug. This causes the valve to release, and your perfect tea will pour into the mug. Choose a 16-ounce or 28-ounce version.
Disposable option
Tiesta Tea - Loose Leaf Tea Filters
If you prefer a disposable option, these unbleached, chlorine-free filters are biodegradable. Measuring three by six inches, each filter holds up to two ounces of tea. There are 100 filters in a package.
Functional and decorative
Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid
This 15-ounce porcelain mug includes an extra-fine mesh stainless steel tea infuser and a porcelain lid. All of the pieces are dishwasher-safe, and the mug can go in the microwave as well. Choose from nearly a dozen gorgeous colors; it even comes gift-boxed.
Tea to go
Teabloom - The Wayfarer All-Purpose Beverage Insulated Glass Flask
This double-walled travel tumbler comes with a stainless infusion basket. Place your tea (or fruit) into the basket, fill the tumbler with water and affix the lid. Your hot or cold beverage will brew until you remove the infuser. A removable sleeve protects the glass and keeps your desired temperature longer.
Which should you choose?
Any of these are going to infuse your tea the way it was intended, with plenty of room for the Brownian motion you need for optimal brewing. Personally, I'm not a fan of those little tea ball strainers, since they are too small to let the tea move around and brew fully. I like the HOUSE AGAIN Extra Fine Mest Tea Infuser because it's simple, inexpensive, and it works. A quick rinse in the sink, and it's ready to go for your next cuppa. The arms on the sides mean you can use it even in a very wide-mouthed teacup or mug. The dual-purpose lid serves to keep the steam in while brewing, and a place to put the infuser when you're done. If the extra-fine mesh isn't fine enough for you, choose the extreme fine mesh version instead.
If you're looking for an all-in-one solution, the Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid is a beaut. Frankly, the rainbow of available colors is what caught my eye; it would fun to buy several that match the kitchen decor. The lid helps keep your tea hot while brewing and also works as a saucer when you're done.