Tea is a love, a passion. Whether it is Japanese matcha green tea, Nepali chai, Turkish tea or South American yerba mate you must know the right way to brew your tea if you want to have the real taste and flavor. This process for proper brewing requires some useful tools. Tea strainer or infuser is one of these tools. In this section we will know about some good qualities of tea strainer or infuser.
A tea strainer and tea infuser have some differences. First let us know about that.
Tea Strainer
- Design: A tea strainer typically consists of a small sieve or mesh basket attached to a handle. It is designed to catch loose tea leaves while allowing infused liquid to pass through.
- Functionality: After steeping loose tea in a teapot or cup, a tea strainer is placed over the cup or teapot opening to strain out the leaves as the tea is poured.
- Versatility: Tea strainers are versatile and can be used with various sizes of teapots and cups. They are especially useful for serving multiple cups of tea at once.
Tea Infuser
- Design: A tea infuser is usually a small perforated or mesh ball, basket, or other container designed to hold loose tea leaves.
- Functionality: It is put directly into a cup or teapot to steep the tea leaves in hot water, eliminating the need for a separate straining step.
- Control over Steeping: Tea infusers provide control over the steeping time, allowing users to customize the strength of their tea by adjusting the duration the infuser remains in the water.
- Ease of Cleaning: Infusers can be easier to clean than strainers, as they are often designed to be opened or emptied for thorough rinsing.
What to Check When Buying Strainer or Infuser
- Easy to load: Whether a mesh ball or basket or handled strainer it should be easier to load the tea leaves. From fine-leaf tea to flower bud tea, each tea type must easy to load into these strainer or basket. In case of mesh ball it should be easier to close and it should stay closed during steeping.
- Fine tiny holes: The strainer or infuser should have fine tiny holes. No tea leaves whether fine leaves tea, whole leaves tea or flower buds should not pass through the wholes.
- Size and Length: Considering the size and length is important. It should be easier to set the strainer or infuser into the teapots or cups. Besides it must be removed from teapots or cups easily.
- Handle and Chain: The handle or chain attached to the strainer or infuser should be easy to touch and hold. Some have plastic handles and chains which remains cool when deepened into boiling water.
- Steel Quality: The quality of steel for a strainer should ideally be corrosion-resistant, durable, and food-grade. It should withstand prolonged exposure to liquids and maintain its structural integrity over time, ensuring efficient filtration without compromising safety or functionality.
- Cleaning Process: When buying a strainer or infuser, look for ones with parts that you can easily take apart for cleaning, or ones with wide openings that are simple to rinse out. Choose options that are dishwasher-safe or can be easily cleaned with a brush or sponge to make you’re cleaning routine hassle-free after each use.
Tea infusers and strainers have revolutionized the art of preparing tea by offering convenience and versatility. With their ability to contain loose tea leaves while allowing for optimal steeping, they simplify the process of brewing a perfect cup of tea. Whether it’s the elegant design of a traditional infuser or the practicality of a modern strainer, these tools enhance the tea-drinking experience, making it more accessible and enjoyable for tea enthusiasts worldwide.