Paper filter issues

[TeaElf]

Hello everyone,
I am new to Adagio and this forum, but I've been a "tea person" for many years. I'm a black tea drinker usually, but I also love green teas and anything with Jasmine.
I recently made my first purchase of the paper filters from Adagio. Previously, I have been using a tea ball that I've had for a few years that is getting rusty and, frankly, I don't think allows the leaves to fully bloom for utmost flavor character. I also have a glazed ceramic teapot, not sure what variety, just something a friend bought for me. I only really use the teapot if I'm brewing for more people than me, or if I have time or am in the mood to rinse it out after I'm done. I usually just (per Alton Brown's advice on Good Eats) pour my tea leaves straight into the pot and filter through a tea strainer on its way out into my teacup, which always yeilds the best results. I bought the paper filters because a friend recommended them, saying they are tasteless and scentless.
I was surprised, however, to find that, when place in hot water, the paper filters yield a strong odor, and I believe they are affecting the taste of my tea. I have tried two completely different teas using the paper filter, and each time get a strange taste backing the flavor of the tea. It kind of reminds me of a faint honey taste, which, however not off-putting, is irritating because I don't want that flavor in every tea I drink.
Have I gotten a bad batch of the filters, or has anyone else had this issue?

Solutions? What kind of filter method should I go with as opposed to my tight little rusting teaball or the skunky paper filters?

(P.S. - I bought the Raja Sampler from Adagio and I love the teas so far! It's just the filters I'm having issues with.)

[Chip]

An infuser basket or pot with either an infuser basket or screen at the spout would be much better than either option you are currently using. This will allow more room for the leaves to expand and interact with the water.

Welcome to TeaChat!

[Victoria]

Welcome! You said it yourself - "pour my tea leaves straight into the pot and filter through a tea strainer on its way out into my teacup, which always yields the best results."

Save your bags/paper filters for travel if you must. But throw away the tea ball.

[TeaElf]

Thanks so much. I'll continue using my teapot and external strainer, and look around for an infuser basket when I'm feeling too lazy to clean many tea utensils! Bags, I'll save you for travel.

[Leafbox Pete]

I'm not familiar with Adagio's paper tea filters, though I imagine they are the same as all the other brands out there. I've been using various German branded tea filters for years. I don't think I ever noticed the scent and smell issue with them.

I did stop using them earlier this year when I switched to preparing tea in a French Press. This is something you might consider. French Presses offer the space for brewing tea, but they have the built-in strainer.

The upside of the French Press is that it lets you keep the leaves in the pot in case you want to rebrew, but it also makes for really simple clean up.

I just spray some water in to break up the damp leaves and then either pour them out into a houseplant for composting or down the garbage disposal.

[skarphedin]

Welcome! You said it yourself - "pour my tea leaves straight into the pot and filter through a tea strainer on its way out into my teacup, which always yields the best results."

Save your bags/paper filters for travel if you must. But throw away the tea ball.

+1. Good advice.

[TwoPynts]

Welcome! You said it yourself - "pour my tea leaves straight into the pot and filter through a tea strainer on its way out into my teacup, which always yields the best results."

Save your bags/paper filters for travel if you must. But throw away the tea ball.

+1. Good advice.

+2. Though I've never noticed and issue with the filters I bought from Adagio.