If you like to make a good cup of hot tea using loose tea leaves, then you definitely need a tea strainer. Tea strainers are designed to keep tea leaves out of the tea you intend to drink. Using a tea strainer lets you use loose tea leaves without a lot of extra trouble. Strainers come in a variety of materials. The following article takes a closer look at this essential tea drinking accessory.
Sometimes the best tea doesn’t come in a teabag. Many specialty teas only come in the form of loose tea leaves. Even normal tea tastes better if you can make a using loose tea leaves. However, tea leaves come with a problem. If you add loose tea leaves boiling water, you have to figure out a way to get them out after the infusion process is complete. I’ve heard that some Asian cultures simply drink the tea through their teeth. However that doesn’t sound very attractive or effective.
Most tea strainers are designed to fit onto the lip of your teacup. Then you pour the tea from your teapot through the strainer. As you fill your cup of tea, tea leaves are collected in the tea strainer. Once your cup is full, you simply set aside the tea strainer and enjoy your tea.
Tea strainers are available in a wide variety of materials. The earliest and most traditional tea strainers are made from bamboo. However, as tea drinking has become more sophisticated and ceremonial, tea strainers have been introduced in other materials. You can find them made from ceramic or fine bone china. There also made of stainless steel and even sterling silver.
Don’t let the problem of tea leaves keep you from enjoying a good cup of tea. You can find all sorts of decorative and useful to you strainers at your local tea shop or online. Once you experience the flavor of tea made from loose tea leaves, you may never want to use a teabag again.