What Is A Tea Infuser?

Without a tea infuser when brewing loose tea leaves, the tendency is that it goes all over the place. This is not really good for tea when it is steeping and brewing. This can be especially cumbersome because you will have to strain all of the leaves out before serving. Tea infusers are used to hold the leaves so that they are contained in one space while brewing and steeping. This allows them to totally infuse their flavor to the water. They also lessen the chance that you will have to strain the tea before serving. There are a lot of tea infuser designs and the compartment for the tea leaves are only partially filed so that the tea leaves have room to expand and release their flavor.

The tea ball and tea egg type infusers are the traditional form. They are either ovoid or spherical, and are halved. The “ball” or “egg” is where the tea leaves go. They are clamped together to prevent the tea leaves from going all over the place. A chain is attached to the ball so that you can easily take it out when you’re ready to serve the tea. Some tea balls and eggs are made out of metal, however, mesh is often used for finer tea leaves as they cannot go through the small holes of the mesh. Some come with larger holes, and are not really intended to eliminate straining afterwards. They also come in a lot of designs, ranging from classic to modern.

Infuser cups are also a form of tea infusers. In this method, the tea is steeped directly on the cups. A ceramic infuser is fitted inside of the cup, where it will steep. The set usually comes with a lid, which helps steep the tea even better. A special cup usually comes with the set and it is especially popular in Asian stores. These sets are ideal for single-serve tea, but are hardly convenient when preparing big batches of tea. Tea infuser pots are more suited to serving and entertaining with tea.

Many people believe that the right tea infuser can make or break the taste of the tea, but it really comes down to a lot of factors. The first is the temperature of the water, like green tea, for example, doesn’t really need boiling water. On the other hand, black tea needs boiling water in order to steep properly. Furthermore, you need to remember never to let your tea leaves steep for a very long time. It only needs a few minutes, depending on the kind of tea as any longer will make your tea taste too bitter and unpleasant. Green tea needs to steep only for three minutes and black tea needs to steep for about five minutes. For herbal teas, you need about fifteen to twenty minutes to fully infuse the flavors and nutrients. As you can see, you don’t need to let it steep for a very long time. So consider these things as it is a common mistake by first time tea drinkers.

	HIC Brands that Cook Snap Mesh Tea Ball Infuser Sale Price: $0.99
	Most people use teabags, because they're convenient. But, most unique and distinguished teas come in loose leaf form. By using loose leaf tea you also get the freshest tea, without bleached bag packaging (the classic tea bag)...

	FORLIFE Brew-in-Mug Extra-Fine Tea Infuser with Lid List Price: $16.10 Sale Price: $14.99
	The Brew-in-Mug Extra-fine Tea Infuser with Lid, is complete with an easy grip silicon rimmed stainless-steel lid. The infuser gives you a perfect even brew every time, and enables you to brew fine teas such as Rooibos tea to large whole-leaf teas like Oolong tea...

	Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler with Infuser List Price: $35.00 Sale Price: $15.50 Used From: $13.15
	Virtually unbreakable, this lightweight, vacuum-insulated thermos travels to work or your favorite recreation spot. On arrival, and for hours afterward, coffee, tea, or soup will still be hot. Or lemonade, pasta salad, or a sports drink will still be chilled...

	G&H Tea Services Paris Tea-Cup Strainer List Price: $8.90 Sale Price: $8.50
	Mesh infuser suitable for all teas.

	Standard Tea Infuser Mesh Spoon Sale Price: $0.01
	The RSVP Standard Tea Infuser Mesh Spoon features a spring closure that seals in the leaves while brewing.

	Dci Tea Rex Tea Infuser List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $6.50
	Have a wild cup of tea with this Tea Rex Tea Infuser! This prehistoric fellow is ready to eat your tea leaves and brew you the perfect cup of tea. Simply put loose tea inside Tea Rex, close and hang from your mug...

	RSVP Just Ducky Floating Tea Infuser List Price: $15.35 Sale Price: $5.25 Used From: $7.12
	Enjoy preparing a delicious cup of tea with this fun floating ducky tea infuser from RSVP. Fill this little ducky's mesh infuser halfway with coarse tea leaves and place in your tea cup. Once the tea leaves are saturated the duck will float upright...

	FORLIFE Extra-fine Tea Infuser and Porcelain Dish Set List Price: $12.65 Sale Price: $11.95
	The infuser that will fit a wide variety of teacups and teapots! The Extra-fine Tea Infuser with Porcelain Dish Set is complete with unique designed handles that allows you to steep all varieties of loose-leaf tea in your favorite teacup or teapot.

	Kikkerland Robot Tea Infuser and Drip Tray Sale Price: $11.00
	Use this charming robot stainless steel tea infuser to prepare your favorite loose tea. His arms and hands move to create a custom fit to your favorite tea mug. Rest him on the included drip tray when your tea is steeped...

	Adagio Teas PersonaliTea 21-Ounce Ceramic Teapot with Infuser Basket List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $6.07
	Enjoy loose tea anytime with this elegant ceramic teapot. A large infuser basket provides ample room for the leaves to unfurl and infuse fully.