Q: I'm a tea enthusiast and stock up on loose leaf teas. However, I'm also a student and like to take my loose leaf with me to class. My favourite tea mug is one of those ceramic ones with the silicone lid, but I don't like to taste the paper in those "fill it yourself" tea bags.
Is there any tea infuser that a) is portable b) can fit in a variety of travel mugs c) won't cause my mug to leak and d) isn't paper based?
Sent by Becca
Editor: Becca, you may want to consider a full tea-brewing system, with a mug that has an integrated tea infuser. This is probably the best way to make sure that everything works together well. Here are a couple options:
• Eight Cranes PPerfect Steeper Portable Loose Leaf Tea Brewer, $29.99 at Amazon
• Stainless Steel Loose Tea Travel Mug, $21.95 at Mighty Leaf
But also check out this infuser:
• Tovolo In-Mug Tea Infuser, $10.71 at Amazon
Readers, any suggestions or good ideas?
Related: How to Brew Loose Leaf Green Tea
(Image: via Amazon)
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DAVIDsTEA is one of my favourite shops. here's the link to their selection of travel presses. (ranging from $9.50 to $29.50). http://www.davidstea.com/accessories/tasse-de-voyage
I've seen this one on the stores a lot lately. They're BPA free and really cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Copco-2510-9937-Tea-Thermal-Green/dp/B001WAKADY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1314300507&sr=8-10
I used to use the Aladdin tea infuser mug, which I initially liked because the basket for the leaves can be flipped upwards, clear of the water level, so that you don't over-steep your tea. But over a few months of use, the flipping mechanism stopped working so well. The clear plastic of the mug stained easily and started to look gross (I didn't have a dishwasher at the time). I ending up ditching it and still haven't found a better solution for loose leaf tea on the go-- looking forward to seeing some more comments on this!
Get a tea ball, like this one. The chain is meant to be hung over the rim of a mug, but you could just chuck the whole thing in your travel mug or remove the chain. You could also use this to steep your tea before class, then leave the ball at home.
I don't like the bodum travel press. It is terrible for letting tea leaf bits into the rest of the tea. I have used the Copco and like it. The best option probably is a tea ball though. I don't like the ikea tea ball with a handle though because it is hard to clean and it also lets tea leaf bits into the tea.
I really love this tea infuser mug from REI. Keeps the tea hot for many hours.
I LOVE my IngenuiTEA 16 oz infuser that I purchased from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Adagio-Teas-16-Ounce-Ingenuitea-Teapot/dp/B000FPN8TK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314304452&sr=8-1
I use it at work every day. They also come in a 32 oz size.
Gregg
Despite the bad reviews, I love the floating stainless tea ball from Stash. http://www.stashtea.com/products/Floating+Stainless+Steel+Infuser+Small.aspx
I love one I've had for years; I picked it up at Teaism in DC and use it all the time. You can buy it online if you'd like: http://www.teaism.com/TeaShop/ProductDetails4-234.html
I bought my boyfriend the DavidsTea Travel Press a while ago and he loves it! Could work for coffee too.
Crate and Barrel sells these two:
scissor handled tea infuser
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/tea-and-coffee-accessories/scissor-handled-tea-infuser/s545252
and
tea infuser stick
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/coffee-and-tea-utensils/tea-infuser-stick/s625216
Does anyone have a good online source for loose tea?
I just use a mesh strainer ball, thrown in the mug while i'm getting ready and then taken out and left at home. No mess during class.
@mrmts our local tea shop Gong Fu has a pretty good selection at their online store. http://www.gongfu-tea.com
I have an aquaovo
http://www.aquaovo.com/gallerie/NewPhotos/Thermo.jpg
I got it from davids tea, and I love it, I tend to use it "Wrong" though, I put the tea on top of the little strainer and fill the water so it steeps the tea, then once it's properly steeped I pull the little basket out and toss the tea.
:)
If you have any local tea houses I'd try them. I know that here in Seattle the Crumpet Shop [in Pike Place] has some amazing travel tea infusers; but alas no website.
@mrmts: www.gongfu-tea.com
Thermos Tea Tumbler with Infuser. You can get it in a tea shop or online. Double-walled, keeps tea hot for about 8+ hours. The lid that comes with it covers both the tea strainer, and the sipping lid vacuum seals so you don't get spills. Turn upside down to infuse, right side up when finished. Best thing I've purchased in the past 4 years!
I use the Harmony Glass tea Tumbler with Infuser from Teavana. I also bring loose leaf tea to work and the tumbler is convenient, not to mention gorgeously crafted. They have a bigger version of the cup as well. Hope you find what you're looking for.
http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea-cups-mugs/travel-tea-cups/p/harmony-glass-tea-tumbler-with-infuser
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! I've tried the tea ball suggestion without the chain and it seems to work the best for my favourite tea mug (similar to http://www.davidstea.com/accessories/the-iconic-mug) and there's little to no water displacement that I find I get with the fill-able paper tea bags. But I'm loving all the links you have all sent me! Thanks so very much!
Becca
@mrmts: http://www.teanzo.com
I would check out the Finum infuser. That might work.