So I've been looking around online for awhile for a good personal mug and/or infuser, and have found a couple so far, but I'm wondering what you guys would recommend. Unlike my weekends, during the week I just don't have time to sit down and really enjoy multiple steepings, so I just make one cup of tea. Right now I just have a regular mug and the ingenuiTEA, but I'm finding that I would like to get a nicer mug and get away from the plastic in the ingenuiTEA.
I know I'm not supposed to post links, so I'll leave it to people to c&p (and let me know if I should remove these). These are a few that I've found so far online that seem feasible- let me know what you think:
shop.samovartea(dot)com/Product.jmdx?action=displayDetail&id=184&searchString=infwhi
(www)adagio(dot)com/teaware/glass_mug_and_infuser.html?SID=6512fa4a34efe8c25361e5296d537a9f
So if you know of any good cups/mugs, infusers, or an everyday teapot for one, please let me know!
I'm also on the lookout for a new tea mug, after breaking the second of a pair purchased more than 25 years ago at a art fair. They were tall, hand thrown ceramic mugs that got HOT when you poured in hot beverage and stayed hot after a microwave reheat.
I have a large china mug purchased some time ago. Its the heavy weight type you find in restaurants, except that its a nice dark blue glaze with copper bits in it. While it works as eye appeal, it's lousy at keeping beverages hot. Doesn't absorb heat, the shape is wrong, and my tea is cold long before I am ready to finish it.
It will go back into my cupboard once I find a replacement.
Take a look at a website called MugHeaven (dot com). They have handsome, hand thrown ceramic mugs that range in size from small to very large and should be ideal for keeping liquids hot so that you needn't quaff it immediately.
You can find Brown Betty teapots in a variety of sizes that should suit. While you're at it, find a pleasant tea pot cozy to fit it. Both can be found by simple web search.
I have a large china mug purchased some time ago. Its the heavy weight type you find in restaurants, except that its a nice dark blue glaze with copper bits in it. While it works as eye appeal, it's lousy at keeping beverages hot. Doesn't absorb heat, the shape is wrong, and my tea is cold long before I am ready to finish it.
It will go back into my cupboard once I find a replacement.
Take a look at a website called MugHeaven (dot com). They have handsome, hand thrown ceramic mugs that range in size from small to very large and should be ideal for keeping liquids hot so that you needn't quaff it immediately.
You can find Brown Betty teapots in a variety of sizes that should suit. While you're at it, find a pleasant tea pot cozy to fit it. Both can be found by simple web search.
Jan 4th, '09, 17:50
Posts: 132
Joined: Sep 15th, '08, 21:01
Location: Millerton, NY
Contact:
toastedtoads
bcos:
I like both mugs you posted, although I'm not quite sure how warm the glass one will stay.
My personal favorite brewing method (besides gong fu) involves basically a thermal teapot that keeps the tea HOT, and pouring into a 4-6oz cup when I want to cool some down to drink.
It's not sealed like a thermos, the spout doesn't close, but it stays hot for hours and the base is silicone/rubber so it doesn't slide about. The only trouble is the basket is hard to get out when it's full of hot water, but once you pour out your first cup it doesn't contact the water so much after that. A serious bonus is it doesn't drip when you pour, like at all, so no messing up your desk.
I like both mugs you posted, although I'm not quite sure how warm the glass one will stay.
My personal favorite brewing method (besides gong fu) involves basically a thermal teapot that keeps the tea HOT, and pouring into a 4-6oz cup when I want to cool some down to drink.
It's not sealed like a thermos, the spout doesn't close, but it stays hot for hours and the base is silicone/rubber so it doesn't slide about. The only trouble is the basket is hard to get out when it's full of hot water, but once you pour out your first cup it doesn't contact the water so much after that. A serious bonus is it doesn't drip when you pour, like at all, so no messing up your desk.
As sad as it might sound, right now I do all teas with one steep unless I have the time todo multiple steeps and experiment since I'm new to tea. Should I only do one steep with blacks and save the rest for multiple steeps?
Last edited by bcos on Jan 4th, '09, 23:00, edited 1 time in total.
Jan 4th, '09, 22:58
Vendor Member
Posts: 2084
Joined: Sep 24th, '08, 18:38
Location: Boston, MA
I use gaiwan for black tea as well, as long as the tea leaves are of good quality and don't contain many stem pieces.
But I kind of agree with intuit that if just for black tea, a mug is ok. I often use a regular mug (the kind of coffee), without a strainer. And if tea leaves don't sink soon enough, or for CTC black tea, a strainer or tea ball will work well. But of course a nicer mug or cup will always be good
But I kind of agree with intuit that if just for black tea, a mug is ok. I often use a regular mug (the kind of coffee), without a strainer. And if tea leaves don't sink soon enough, or for CTC black tea, a strainer or tea ball will work well. But of course a nicer mug or cup will always be good
By sitting in peace and doing nothing,
You make your one day worth two days.
You make your one day worth two days.
Okey dokey. I found nice china mugs with infusers, plain or ornate.
Go go upton teas
Accessories > Teaware > Mugs > Bone China
The mug web page for bone china mugs will have what you want, methinks.
Standard cautionary: bone china is a bit more delicate than stoneware (ceramic 'pottery') or porcelain. Typically, its hand washed, and doesn't tolerate microwaving for reheat (some may cringe at the thought of reheating tea).
Go go upton teas
Accessories > Teaware > Mugs > Bone China
The mug web page for bone china mugs will have what you want, methinks.
Standard cautionary: bone china is a bit more delicate than stoneware (ceramic 'pottery') or porcelain. Typically, its hand washed, and doesn't tolerate microwaving for reheat (some may cringe at the thought of reheating tea).
