Teamaking has been a part of many cultures for thousands of years, and today it's a part of our daily routine. Hot water, lea leaves, perhaps a dash of milk or honey--tea is both healthy and flavorful, and the best way to take advantage of this is by ensuring a good infusion. Infusers are tea accessories used to hold dried tea leaves while they steep in hot water. They come in many different varieties, and this guide should help pick out the perfect one.
For modern tea drinkers
Infusers come in one-use and reusable varieties. Disposable infusers, also called tea filters, are much like the ubiquitous tea bag. They hold the tea leaves in place while the cup brews, and tea drinkers can discard the filter after use. Look for tea filters that use no glue or odor and are still sturdy enough to use without falling apart in hot water. A string attached to the bag will make retrieval easy after use.
Reusable tea infusers come in a variety of shapes. They are typically metal or silicone containers with wide mesh panels that allow brewing to occur; they are good to wash and reuse later. One should select infusers made of corrosion-resistant, easy-to-clean, and non-toxic materials, like food-grade stainless steel. The mesh should also be dense enough to stop bits of tea leaves from entering the infusion.
Sustainable practices
The use of tea filters, while convenient, also promotes a "disposable" culture that can have harmful effects on environments around the world. To minimize this damage, make sure to pick up completely biodegradable filters, usually made of corn fiber or wood pulp. Using metal tea infusers are much more eco-friendly, as they last a long time with proper use and maintenance.
Tea for all, all for tea
The choice of tea infuser will also depend on the amount of tea made at a time. Tea filters are great for cups of tea prepared one at a time. Infusers come in a range of sizes, from small ball-shaped "tea eggs" to large cup-like devices, so they work well for single mugs and whole pots of tea.
Categories Simillar to Tea Accessories includes Tea Filters, Burr Coffee Grinders and Coffee Percolators