At work, on-the-go, or just relaxing at home, an infuser cup or refillable tea bags are best when you want a well-brewed cup of tea with the least possible time and effort.
Infuser Cup
The infuser cup allows one to brew a flavorful cup of tea with a minimal amount of effort and accessories. Consisting of a cup, infuser, and lid, each of its three components is highly functional and observes the principle of small brewing.
Just make sure the holes or slits of the infuser are fine enough for the size of the intended tea leaves.
To brew with an Infuser Cup:
Add tea leaves. Remove the lid and add the tea leaves to the infuser. The correct amount of tea leaves to use depends on the type of tea being prepared.
Rinse and pre-moisten the tea leaves. Using the correct water temperature for the tea, pour enough water to cover the tea leaves, then immediately remove the infuser and discard the rinse water. The tea leaves should not be in the water for more than 2-3 seconds 'this is a rinse, not a steep. This step helps to warm the cup to maintain correct water temperature and encourages the leaves to open evenly when the tea begins to steep. It is an optional step, but will make your tea taste better.
Steep. Place the infuser back into the cup and pour hot water to cover the leaves. Add enough water to reach the top of the cup. Replace the cover and allow the tea to steep. The correct steep time depends on the type of tea being prepared.
Drink. Remove the lid and infuser from the cup. Place the infuser on the overturned lid, which acts as a plate to store your leaves while you drink your tea. Simply drink and enjoy.
Repeat. Re-infuse your tea leaves for additional cups of tea, as long as your tea yields flavor.
Fillable Tea Bags
Fillable tea bags are the most convenient way of making a cup of tea when you are travelling or on-the-go. You can prepare any of your favorite teas in this manner, though it should be noted that some of the larger leaf teas might not have enough room to fully unfurl.
To use, simply add the appropriate amount of tea leaves to the tea bag and fold over to close like the old-style sandwich bags. Remove the bag after your tea brews to the desired strength.
