Question regarding tea bags/infusers

[swampdonkey]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum, and in a way, to tea as well. Granted I've been drinking it for years but rarely ventured out from the safety of my white peony. I have what may be a basic question that I'd appreciate opinions on. If there is info on the site already, just kindly say so and I'll search a bit deeper. Having just read the following thread
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=6922 I can see that the punishment for not searching rains down swiftly.

Q: is there a method used by the majority of you for steeping tea, as in tea bags or infusers or...? For my loose leaf tea I've really only ever used your basic tea bag which I purchase in a 1000ct box. Is is just a preference thing or are there benefits to different methods?

Thanks...

[Chip]

Never never never hesitate to ask a question. Searches are great, but if you have a question, fire away!!!

Infusers, pots, gaiwans, bags. A lot will depend on what works for you in a particular situation. Most TeaChatters have learned it is best to give the leaves as much room as possible to expand, thus the fill your own bags are not the best option.

Infusers are generally better than the bags. But if you want to maximize the room permitted for expanding, then a gaiwan or teapot (often with a screen at the spout) are best.

But sometimes, ya gotta do, what ya gotta do.

[Salsero]

I can see that the punishment for not searching rains down swiftly ...

Q: is there a method used by the majority of you for steeping tea, as in tea bags or infusers or...?

Mmmm, sorry about that. That thread represents an unfortunate, but rare alignment of the stars. No one was really wrong and I'm sure everyone felt bad afterward. You won't see it often, and most of us are thick skinned enough that we just declare an "oops, my bad" moment, apologize, and move on.

I love infuser baskets because they give the leaf lots of room and they're easy to clean. They, do, however, lack portability. There is an article HERE about halfway down the page about infuser baskets.

The little teaballs are a no-no as the leaf doesn't have enough room to interact freely with the water, my same complaint about most bags, unless they are very large. But sometimes the need to carry a pre-measured dose is paramount.

[swampdonkey]

Great info....thanks. I am eagerly looking forward to trying out some of these methods. With a birthday coming up soon and Xmas, the odds are good that I can secure some new teaware.

[stanthegoomba]

An infuser basket that fits snugly into a coffee mug makes delicious tea all the time. No compromises, no hassle: you'll find it's ideal. Almost... too ideal.

And one thing will lead to another, and you WILL end up with a teapot addiction. I promise.

[trallis]

Depending on my mood I use a gaiwan, teapot, or just mugs with baskets.

If you are using a basket, i've found the best way is not the regular simple put the leaves in the basket, basket in the cuo, and pour in water.

try this:
preheat the cup you want to brew in by pouring hot water in it and pour it out
put the leaves in that hot cup(standard 1-2 tsp for 8 oz. cup)
pour the boiling water in the cup.
put the basket in another mug
when you decide the tea is ready pour it into the other cup and instantly remove the basket.
repeat with same leaves until you're making colored water
i do this because preheating is extremely important for good tea, and if you preheat a cup and then pour water through a cold steel basket you're being counterproductive.

[wyardley]

I think most people here prefer the method which allows the leaves the maximum room (for the size of the vessel) to expand. In other words; simplest is best. There's no real benefit gained by an infuser basket or tea bag, other than I guess avoiding getting tea leaves in your mouth if you are brewing and drinking out of the same thing, or (arguably) ease of clean up. It's ideal to have some sort of way to separate the steeped tea and the tea leaves, usually by decanting from the brewing vessel into something else. If you're brewing for yourself a lot, and don't want to get all crazy with the teaware, one of the Korean or Chinese style infuser mugs can be pretty handy.

I usually brew in a small pot or gaiwan, and then pour into something else (either a serving pitcher or tasting cups). If I'm traveling or at a restaurant, sometimes I'll just put (a smaller amount of) loose tea leaves in a cup or pot of hot water.

[Salsero]

I'll just put (a smaller amount of) loose tea leaves in a cup or pot of hot water.

Yes, I have had good success with this method too. It is especially appropriate since restaurant hot water is usually far from boiling when it arrives at your table. I guess this often amounts to GLASS BREWING.

And then of course, there is MOUTH BREWING for the chronically silly among us.

[TaiPing Hou Kui]

Swampdonkey--First of all, welcome! In my experience I have not been a fan of infuser baskets....this is not becuase they dont work, but rather becuase I enjoy using a gaiwan, small kyusu or yixing to do my brewing, depending on the type of tea. That being said, I don have several infuser baskets, BUT they are not the metal mesh screen infuser baskets....they are ceramic infuser baskets, personally I dont like putting metal into my teacup....I have had this discussion with others who are quite knowledgable and just as much a tea guru as I am and they think that I am crazy....well most of them at least, but I think I can tell a difference in taste with the metal.....it is probably all in my head but that is just me. I also think ceramic infuser baskets are more aesthetically pleasing as well. This being said, I have never come across a ceramic infuser basket that can fit "any old cup" I have always had to buy things like this: http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/teaware_ ... Koryo.html
It is pretty portable and works well in a pinch, though not quite as convenient and affordable as a metal mesh infuser basket! Anyway, I hope my insight hasnt confused you further! Most importantly, if you enjoy it and it brews a good cup of tea, than keep doing what you do....just dont be afraid to experiment and expland your horizons!

-Nick (TaiPing)

[gingkoseto]

I'll just put (a smaller amount of) loose tea leaves in a cup or pot of hot water.

Yes, I have had good success with this method too. It is especially appropriate since restaurant hot water is usually far from boiling when it arrives at your table. I guess this often amounts to GLASS BREWING.

And then of course, there is MOUTH BREWING for the chronically silly among us.

I love glass brewing, without infuser! Glass allows you to see movement of tea leaves and that's a lot of fun. Most of the time I don't find infuser necessary. Even for Keemun black tea with small shredded tea leaves, eventually the leaves will go down to the bottom. What I have difficulty to brew with a glass is genmaicha, since the rice grains don't sink. For everything else that is non-oolong non-puerh, I use a glass most of the time and the tea leaves will stay put without infuser.

[swampdonkey]

I can see how teaware could become an unruly hobby. Just from this short thread there are several items I'll likely obtain in time. The item that TaiPing linked to http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/koryo-teacup-jade.html is quite appealing just for its simplicity and design. However, for now I don't feel that I am ready for mouth brewing...that's too advanced a technique for me at this moment.

[edkrueger]

If you like that have a look here: http://www.hankooktea.com/