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Rachael has been a writer, editor and marketing communications specialist for some 18 years, writing about all things tea and lifestyle for her blog "Tea with Rachael" for over a decade. She loves tea and enjoys trying different types of tea, as well as pairing teas with food and fun things to see and do.
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Rachael has been a writer, editor and marketing communications specialist for some 18 years, writing about all things tea and lifestyle for her blog "Tea with Rachael" for over a decade. She loves tea and enjoys trying different types of tea, as well as pairing teas with food and fun things to see and do.
Keep up-to-date with all things tea and lifestyle-related on Rachael's blog, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and discover some new tea blends that might just become your new favourite!
"There are so many different types of infusers available - from shaped silicone infusers you can use in your mug or cup, to traditional teapots with a modern twist, and a range of materials and styles to choose from. I personally go with what looks good, what matches my teaware, and recommendations from tea experts, such as the team at T2, who are always happy to demonstrate infusers and how they work best."
"They also make great gifts for tea lovers - I have received many over the years! They are also handy if you like to make loose leaf tea in the office, providing a little break from the hustle and bustle of the day."
Cast iron: These offer a traditional Asian-style aesthetic and will keep tea very hot, but they won’t be difficult to pick up as the handles are usually made of plastic or wood.
Glass: Glass looks sleek and modern, allowing you to watch the infusion process; a beautiful sight! They need extra cleaning, however, as they’re prone to streaks.
Stainless steel: They may look trendy, but they can risk over-steeping the tea as the water remains very hot for prolonged periods. Their exceptional heat-retention can also make them tricky to pick up – so take extra care!
Plastic and glass tea infusers are quite easy to clean - most have plastic or metal steepers inside and are quick and convenient. I have a variety of similarly styled plastic infusers from T2 and We Are Tea, as well as a stunning glass infuser with a metal basket from Capacitea, and many glass teapots with metal infusers from Bodum and Laura Ashley.
Whittard of Chelsea makes lovely porcelain teapots with plastic or metal detachable steeper baskets, which are great to look at, as well as very effective for steeping loose leaf tea. I have several of these and you can easily buy replacement tea steeping baskets if needed. Some of these baskets also fit my other china or porcelain teapots, which is very useful.
A teapot that comes with a strainer reduces the stress of hosting and improves the strength and flavour of your tea. We know more about the types of teapot, but what about the infuser itself? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of each type.
The good thing about the majority of teapots using these strainers is that they can be easily replaced if they become damaged or magically disappear from the kitchen.
Some tea snobs believe that the process of allowing the water to circulate through the metal infuser can affect the flavour of fine loose-leaf teas, but unless you're serving the Queen, it shouldn't make too much of a difference!
I have never found metal infusers to interfere with the taste of my loose-leaf tea. In fact, if you think back to the days of traditional tea making, either in metal pots across Asia, or using a metal strainer to strain the loose leaves from the teapot before they reach the teacup in an old fashioned afternoon tea, this is the way tea has been brewed for centuries!
So I'm not convinced this makes a noticeable difference. It certainly wouldn't put me off buying a metal infuser.
A second, more modern type of infuser to consider is a mesh press infuser which functions much like a cafetière.
When you’re ready to stop brewing, you press down the plunger which seals all the leaves into the bottom of the filter, pausing the brewing process. Infusers like this are great for avoiding waste, as you can easily re-use leaves with a top up of hot water.
Using metal press infusers in much the same way you make coffee is a good idea. If there is a function there to shut it off once your tea is brewed, you can be sure that your tea is brewed to your preferential satisfaction and it keeps things clean and tidy.
It also makes it easier to clean the infuser after use. You could potentially also have multi-use and multi-purpose presses in the home if you are also a coffee drinker, or indeed, if you live with one!
Lastly, we'll share a couple more features we think are worth considering before you buy. Looking out for both of these will make a small but noticeable difference in not only the taste of your tea, but how easy it is to serve.
Other removable infusers come with a lever, which makes it super-easy to grab hold of, though non-metal materials are even better as they won't get as hot! Either way, a handle is certainly worth looking for.
Having a handle on an infuser is definitely handy, especially if it's a metal infuser that gets and stays very hot. Those infusers with a plastic lip or rim to hold when removing from the hot water are also handy and save you from burning your fingers.
Having something specific to rest your tea infuser on or in once you have brewed your tea is also a useful feature, to avoid spills and stains wherever you are taking your tea.
In addition, you may want to opt for a teapot with an infuser made of an extra-fine mesh, so that no bothersome flecks of leaf can make their way into your brew.
Some infusers are like a little bucket with small holes in, which can give a decent flavour to each cupful, but won’t strain finely-blended tea leaves as effectively as a mesh-style infuser will.
Fine mesh is very important, particularly when brewing high-quality tea leaves, so you don't get leaves poking through the infuser and ending up in your teacup or pot. Fine mesh is also important when you have tea containing different flowers and herbs that you don't want to find their way into the final product. Wider infusers allow the tea leaves to infuse properly in the water and therefore provide a better strength and quality of brew.
With its generous 1.4 litre capacity (that's 6-7 cups!), this pot is perfect for tea-loving households, afternoon gatherings with friends, or any occasion when you fancy more than a single cup. Though narrower than some, the strainer has a fine mesh and is large enough to ensure a well-infused brew. There's a handle for convenience, too.
The pot itself is made from high-quality ceramic for good heat retention, and features a specialised non-drip spout and an ergonomic handle that promises to stay cool.
Secondly, place your infuser into the pot (if it’s not inside already) and pour over the water. For black tea, opt for boiling water. If you’re serving up a more delicate tea like green or chamomile, use water that has been boiled but given a chance to cool slightly, thus preserving the fine flavour of your leaves.
Now you can let your tea steep. Regular tea leaves can be left for between one and four minutes, while herbal blends may need a little longer. Check the package for a recommended brew time.
Finally, remove your infuser (or push down the plunger) to avoid a bitter-tasting drink. Save loose leaves; they’ll be good for one more brew! Pour into cups and add milk, sugar or honey according to your tastes. Delicious cuppas all round.
Now that you've decided on the perfect teapot, you know what you need to think about next – what kind of tea you're going to be making! From green teas to herbal blends, we've already found some of the yummiest choices available online, so you'll be missing out if you don't take a look. And that's the tea!
So, now you know what to look out for in your search for a teapot with an infuser. Here’s hoping our guide has helped you narrow down the kind of teapot you need, so you can serve the hot drinks you love to the people you care about, all from a pot that’s exactly your cup of tea!
Author: Annie Hopkins
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