Using a tea infuser allows you to easily steep a single cup of tea, or an entire teapot. The best tea infuser allows you to control the infusion time to prevent the over-extraction of tannins, which results in a bitter cup.
TEA HOW-TO
How to Use a Tea Infuser
Step By Step
Step 1 - Heat water
POUR FRESH WATER INTO A KETTLE AND HEAT TO EXACT TEMPERATURE.
We would recommend using low mineral, low chemical, spring or glacier-fed water.
To find the full water temperature instructions please refer to our Steeping Chart.
Heat the water by boiling it. Please do not microwave it, no matter what your Great Aunt Josephine says, as it results in unevenly hot water. Take care not to over-boil or re-boil your water, which results in stale-tasting tea from an imbalance of elements in the water. Water temperature also has a profound impact on infusion quality; for example, unfermented (green) teas can be easily bruised by overly hot water which extracts too many tannic acids, rendering a bitter palate.
Step 2 - Add tea into the infuser
PICK YOUR FAVORITE TEA AND PLACE INFUSER INTO THE TEACUP.
Add 1 tsp of tea leaves per 1 cup of water directly into the infuser. Rooibos is a particularly good fit for the infuser basket, because the basket catches all small needle-like rooibos particles that would otherwise escape into your cup!
TEA STORAGE 101
Store tea and herbs in a cool, dark, and dry (low humidity) place. Proper storage of tea lowers the deterioration rate of the fragile essential oils – hot, humid conditions with exposure to UV destroys tea. Once opened, we recommend consuming the tea within the year.
Step 3 - Steep precisely and remove infuser
POUR HOT WATER OVER LEAVES AND STEEP PER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.
To find the detailed steeping instructions please refer to our Steeping Chart.
Following the steeping instructions for the different tea types will yield the difference between a proper balance of flavors, as our blenders intend, and incorrect emphasis on certain flavor profiles of different ingredients.
Step 4 - Savor the moment
TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THE CHARACTER AND AROMA.
We recommend tasting the tea first on it's own, so that you may appreciate the flavor profile as our Master Blenders intended. Then, from there, if you are craving a drop of local honey, a dollop of raspberry jam, or a splash of your favorite milk option, be our guest! Find peace in a teacup.