Q: Members of my family are all avid tea drinkers, especially at breakfast. My mom likes to brew loose tea in a thermal carafe and bring it to the table for everyone. The trouble is, the loose tea keeps getting stuck in the pour holes and makes a mess.

Do you or your readers know of any thermal teapots that solve this problem?

Sent by Bengi More

Sometimes we're not into heavy desserts but we still want something sweet to close out a meal, especially at the end of the day. Forget heating up the oven or fighting the parchment paper to line a pan, though: all you need for this recipe is a small sauce pot and a little spring rhubarb. More

One place I wouldn't expect to find my new favorite tea is my hair salon. But that's what happened last time I stopped in for a trim. And as it turns out, it's no supermarket variety tea blend. More

Lately afternoon tea has been on our mind. Why? Maybe it has to do with the lovely ritual, the slow deliberateness of it, or just the pretty dishes and respite from the day it provides. More

Are you a tea drinker? Do you ever wish for a floating tea ball? Well, here's your chance. This is a 5-minute, $2 craft, but it will bring you hours of joy. More

Here's one of the more beautiful things I've seen so far at the 2011 Housewares Show: A stovetop set of tools for making hot tea and espresso. The photos don't do them justice; they just stopped me in my tracks. More

Matcha, a powdered form of green tea found mostly in Japan, is usually associated with intricate tea ceremonies where the tea is whisked and served in a special tatami-floored teahouse. It's a beautiful tradition but it has also kept many people from enjoying this delicious, creamy, slightly bitter/sweet beverage. It is possible to enjoy a bowl of matcha in your own kitchen using just a few key ingredients and utensils and a little less formality. Read on for instructions and a short little video I made showing how to whisk the tea. More

Perhaps even more so than with black tea, there's a world of difference between loose leaf green tea and the stuff that comes in a tea bag. While it's brewing technique a little fussier than dropping a tea bag into some hot water, the subtle, yet complex, flavor profile of a quality green tea is well worth seeking out. Read on for my method. More

These sparkling homemade sugar cubes flavored with rosewater, Meyer lemon or orange flower water are so lovely, we're thinking about hosting a tea party just so we can make them. Even better: the recipe is surprisingly easy and the flavor possibilities are endless. More

Brewing up a pot of good quality loose leaf tea is a kitchen ritual that has saved my sanity more than once. There's something about taking the time and care to do it right that soothes my soul and encourages contentment. Read on for my rather detailed step-by-step method for brewing a proper pot of black tea. More