Brewing loose leaf tea is easy once you have the right tool. The best infuser gives the leaves plenty of room to open up and release their flavour, and makes it easy to take them out when your tea is ready. Here are the main options, and how to choose between them.
What to look for in a tea infuser
- Room to expand. Loose leaves can grow to several times their dry size as they brew. A roomy infuser gives a better-tasting cup than a small, tightly packed one.
- A fine mesh. This stops small pieces of leaf escaping into your cup.
- Food-grade stainless steel. Look for 304 (often sold as 18/8) or 316 stainless steel, which resist rust and don't affect the taste.
- Easy to clean. Simple shapes that you can rinse out quickly are best for everyday use.
The main types of infuser
Tea balls
A mesh ball on a chain that you fill with tea and clip shut. They're cheap, simple and perfect for a single cup. Just don't overfill them: leave room for the leaves to expand. Our stainless steel tea ball infuser is ideal for one cup or a small pot, and a free infuser comes in the first box of our tea subscription.
Basket infusers
A wide mesh basket that sits inside your mug or teapot. It gives the leaves the most room to open up, so it's the best choice for whole-leaf teas like oolongs and large-leaf black teas.
Filter teapots
A teapot with a built-in mesh infuser that you can lift out when the tea is ready, so it doesn't over-brew. Glass teapots are lovely for watching the leaves unfurl.
Tea presses
These work like a cafetière: add the leaves and hot water, then press the plunger down when your tea is ready. They're quick and easy for making a few cups at once.
Paper tea filters
Empty paper bags that you fill with loose leaf tea. They're handy for taking tea to work or on holiday, and they go straight on the compost.
Automatic tea makers
Machines that heat the water to the right temperature, then lower and lift the leaves automatically. They're a luxury, but they take the guesswork out of brewing.
How to brew loose leaf tea with an infuser
- Add about 1 teaspoon of tea per cup to your infuser.
- Pour over water at the right temperature: just off the boil for black tea, and cooler (around 70 to 85°C) for green and white teas.
- Brew for the time on the pack, usually 2 to 5 minutes.
- Lift out the infuser, and enjoy. Many teas can be brewed again with the same leaves.
For more tips, read how to brew the perfect cup of loose leaf tea.
A little tea history
Legend has it that tea was discovered in 2737 BC by the Chinese emperor Shennong, when a few leaves blew into the pot of water he was boiling. Whether or not the story is true, people have been finding better ways to brew tea ever since.
Discover new teas every time
A Blue Coffee Box tea subscription brings rare and single-origin loose leaf teas through your letterbox, with a free infuser in the first box. From £9.99 with free UK delivery, and you can skip or cancel anytime.
