When we are out at our markets, we are frequently asked questions, and one of the top questions are always about our tea infusers. Top two questions: What are these for? and What is this? So we find it fitting to start off with an explanation of what exactly a tea infuser is/does. The easiest, shortest answer is: infusers/bags/strainers are all the same when using them with loose leaf teas. No matter what form you use, they are simply your new tea bag that you were formally used to. You just measure the tea into the infuser, close it up, and there you go, your new tea bag ready to brew your tea!

There are as many ways and forms of infusing tea as there are personalities, which I believe actually shows up in which method a person chooses to brew/infuse their tea! Like myself, many people like to choose different ways to brew their tea depending on what day it is, what mood they are in, and how they are going to be using the tea (as in if it is going to be used in a latte or other recipe).

Let's explore some of the many ways to infuse and brew loose leaf teas!

Mesh Tea Ball

The tea ball in various forms has been around since the 19th century. It is one of the simplest infusers to use and is perfect for beginners and seasoned tea lovers alike, which is why we have so many customers that come by to grab them when theirs go missing (they are the proverbial missing dryer sock of the tea world!).

Silicone Tea Infusers

Food safe silicone infuser or 1/2 silicone and half stainless steel are popular choices and are super easy to clean as well. These are simple to add the measured amount of loose leaf tea into and empty after brewing.

Paper Filters/Cloth Bags

Paper disposable filters and reusable cloth bags are a great choice for teas such as Rooibos to keep the small particles out of your cup. They are also the perfect choice for allowing the leaves to have more room to expand for a fuller more flavorful brew.

Tea Infuser/Strainer (Over the Cup)

This method is a wonderful way to allow your tea leaves the optimal way to expand and move while infusing a single cup. It is super easy to add your tea and clean as well.  

Tea Pot with Infuser/Strainer

Perfect for brewing larger amounts of tea, but the same method as the strainer/infuser over the cup, just on a larger scale. You get plenty of room for your tea leaves to move around. Just scoop your tea into the strainer part, pour the hot water over, steep for the required amount of time, and depending on the type of teapot, either pour out your tea to serve or remove the strainer to stop steeping. Of course, electric teapots are also under this heading as well and are the same concept, and some can be much more advanced with timers and buttons for exact temperature steep times and types of teas!

French Press

A method coffee lovers are probably familiar with, this has become popular with tea lovers. The method is the same, add your loose leaf tea, pour your hot water over, steep as required and press the plunger to filter.

Grandpa Style

This is the brewing method used by many purists (and Grandpas). If you aren't bothered by leaves or particles floating in your tea, this one is worth a try at least once! For this method, you add the leaves directly to your cup, pour over the hot water, steep until it suits your taste and drink, letting the tea leaves settle to the bottom, drink 2/3 of the cup, then refill with water until tea is too weak for your taste. Really couldn't get any easier than that, right?

Cold Brewer

This one is one of the easiest methods of brewing. Simply add your tea to the strainer basket, pour over cold water, place in refrigerator over night and your tea will be ready when you wake up the next morning!

These are some of the most common ways of brewing/infusing loose leaf tea, but not all. Keep an eye our on our blog for more interesting ways of brewing tea and some recipes to go along with them as well!

For more tips on teas brewing, visit our other 101 pages for more in depth information.