If you are interested in loose leaf tea, but unsure how to go about brewing it. Let us assure you it really isn’t all that complicated, and can be a healthy, fast, alternative to coffee. Here are a few easy ways you can brew your perfect cup:

1. Tea Infuser/Strainer

Tea infusers or strainers, keep tea leaves from floating freely around in your cup. There are many different types of infusers that come in various shapes, sizes, and styles. Depending on what is more convenient for you, we highly advise starting with a few basic infusers first before exploring to more complex vessels.

For new comers to loose leaf tea Paper Tea Strainers are probably the best way to brew tea. Simply scoop some tea into the pocket and dip it into hot water. Easy, and you can just toss your used tea once you are done. Paper strainers are also best because they do not add any additional flavoring to the tea leaves. However because of the open top to this infuser, it should not be completely submerged into water. Tea will float out from the top unless properly knotted. But for general use in pots, mugs, cups, and thermoses we would recommend this as a “go to” infuser because of its simple easy design.

Your other option would be a reusable metal (stainless steel) or silicone (food grade) infusers. These normally come in many different unique shapes, sizes, and colors and are very fun to play around with. Each vessel has its own way of loading tea into it, and some styles can be harder than others to load and clean. No matter the style, all good infusers should seal tight to not allow tea to float out and can be easily be removed from your cup, mug, pot, or thermos.

Suggestions:

• Paper Pocket Tea Strainer
• Metal Heart Strainer
• Silicone Leaf Strainer (more color options available)

2. Teapot or Tea Mug

Some tea mugs and pots have built in infusers that are excellent because it is even less of a hassle. Just keep in mind that some of the built in strainers do not work well with all tea types. Specifically Rooibos tea, because of its fine grain like texture. Rooibos tea will easily slip out of larger strainer holes and float around in your tea cup.

Instructions

1. Boil water

2. While waiting for water to boil, add the suggested or your preferred amount of loose leaf tea to your tea infuser. Place the tea infuser inside your teapot or mug.

3. When the water reaches the desired temperature, pour it over the tea infuser. This will allow the water to circulate through the leaves.

4. Steep tea for suggested time and add or decrease time to taste preference. More steeping time will make tea stronger, but may make it bitter if steeped for too long. Less time will make the taste weaker.

Tip: When resteeping tea, add more time to the steep because the tea needs to brew longer to draw out flavor.