Tea Tools: Infusers, Sieves, and Strainers
Loose teas need a hand when it comes to serving. Yes, you can add tea leaves to a teapot or pot on the stove and steep it, but you will want to strain it into your cup. Here are a few tips & tricks for brewing your perfect cup:
Choose how you want to heat your tea, but remember that loose tea is best steeped with the heated water poured over the tea leaves. Vessels for steeping tea can range from a single cup to a teapot and beyond.
Teapots - some have straining holes for the spout. Look inside your teapot and see if there are holes to catch the tea leaves before they enter the spout. Some tea blends have tiny pieces, so not all may be caught. It is your choice if you want to do an additional strain into the cup.
Teacup strainers rest atop the individual cup. These strainers are a nice touch for table service to insure your guests have their tea strained as it is poured.
Tea infusers are often finely-perforated holders that separate the tea from the heated water. Infusers may nestle into a teapot (some come with them). Some are cute tea balls, cylinders, etc. that are filled with tea and used to dunk or stir the cup as they steep. There are others you may place in a cup before pouring the heated water over the tea leaves, then steep for the desired amount of time before removing the infuser.
No teapot? Do not be discouraged! As your love of tea grows, your tea accoutrements may as well. In the meantime, placing a pot of water on the stove, heating it to the recommended temperature, adding tea leaves, then straining (or use a sieve) into a cup is just fine.
Wonderfully yours,
