How do you use a tea infuser?
Hey Folks!
I always find myself going between using a teapot and an infuser depending on how much tea I prepare, but lately I have been using an infuser more often. However, I have never been fond of the experience or the design of the apparatus.
Coffee usually gets spoiled with beautiful tools. Tea needs the same kind of love! As a designer, I wanted to put an idea to the test.
Here is a design concept that I am trying out: www.feelazu.com
I am testing materials like a wood top (making sure it doesn’t affect taste) and a stainless steel perforated bottom.
What do you think? Would love your two cents, tea experts!
A
I prefer the basket-style infusers as they allow more room for the tea leaves to expand during steeping. :)
That makes sense. So more space is needed inside the infuser. It also depends on the type of tea too, right?
Yes, some teas expand to am amazing extent, particularly rolled teas like oolongs and gunpowder green. Others barely expand at all.
My favorite steeping basket is just a plastic frame with a fine mesh attached. It’s cheap but works well!
I haven’t actually tried that style, but I imagine it would work perfectly well as long as there aren’t small particles in your leaf.
One other thing, the basket style is also very easy to clean because it’s so open. No tiny recesses for spent leaves to hide in.
Ok! Do you ever travel with it? I wanted one to be portable in some way. Thats why I opted to a smaller and slender design.
I haven’t used the bamboo ones either – I would be worried that the bamboo would leave a taste in the tea. I know my bamboo steamers add to the food that’s cooked in them – that’s fine for dim sum, but not sure about my tea. I also agree with Cameron about small particles getting through.
Yep, I’ve traveled with it before. I have the medium-sized basket so it’s only about 3 inches tall or so. I could even fit it in my purse easily if I so desired.
Dexter, that was precisely my thought with bamboo. I have been finding some woods that won’t affect the taste, but not a good solution for the bottom since it has to be perforated.
Cameron, ah ok. I am going to give it a try. Do you ever feel that you don’t use all the space inside it? I am trying to optimize for the ideal cup size of tea.
How are you going to open the cavity to put the tea in and empty? That’s a big problem for me with the average “tea ball” style (that and they are too small). The clasps are either awkward or they dont stay closed. Functionality is always more important to me than pretty – if it functions well and it’s pretty then that’s just a bonus.
100%. If it is not useful, it has failed. Form alone never wins.
I am imagining the top and bottom separating like this: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104550746/IMG_0570.JPG
I think the only teas that really use all of the inside space are rolled oolongs and sometimes leafy white teas such as Bai Mudan. I generally make 8 ounce cups so I suppose those who prefer larger cups of tea (10-12 oz.) would require more space.
Right. You both have been so helpful. Would love to get your info on the website and learn from you both to make a better product!
Happy new year, Cameron and Dexter! :)
OK – that works. re comment above – please though keep an open mind about size. “I am trying to optimize for the ideal cup size of tea.” Your ideal cup size may not be mine – my favorite mug is 14oz. For me to steep a green oolong in my 14oz mug – I need quite a bit of space. I carry this in my purse all the time – everyday to work. If I loved your infuser, I would find a way to carry it – maybe it comes in a fun box?
http://www.davidstea.com/tea-perfect-infuser?&TF=384C2498270F&DEID=
Just another thought – I also like the basket style because I can put a lid on it while steeping. This looks like it is meant to just sit in a cup uncovered…
I agree, my plastic basket has a lid that then doubles as a coaster for the basket once steeping is done. Handy!
Totally, in my concept, I was imagining the rounded bottom holding the leaves and the top part would be an elongated handle, so it would be covered.
A coaster is definitely needed! Cameron, I think I found the one you are referring to. Is this it? http://thesweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/finum_brewing_basket.jpg
Lately I’ve been using a steeping mug from Teavana my aunt sent me for Christmas. The porcelain steeper is wide and lets the tea let its hair down, so to speak, and is so easy to clean. Lets some leafs and bits into the brew, but I don’t care.
I have a lot of metal steepers – use the baskets. Had a few catered to teapots I bought. My favorite is a large one I bought from Starbucks that hangs on stuff, it fits one of my main teapots perfectly. I never use the balls, hate them.
Nice. The balls definitely suck. They are hard to open, close and always feel flimsy.
If you had adequate space inside the infuser, do you find my concept useful?
I never use any kind of infuser. I prefer to put the leaves directly in the pot and pour it through a small strainer. Maximum leaf expansion space, maximum leaf to water contact and minimum fuss. In short, ideal conditions.
The thing about many of these fancy infusers is not only the fact that they severely limit how much your leaves can expand when wet, but depending on the design they also sometimes make it very difficult for the water to get in. I’ve seen any number of cutesy tea balls with just a few holes at the bottom and the rest solid metal or plastic. It means the water has a very hard time reaching the leaf in the middle of the infuser, especially once the leaves start expanding, so you really aren’t getting the best of your leaf.
Hi Angrboda,
Thanks for the feedback! That’s an interesting point. Increasing the number of holes and increasing internal space seems to be the most popular requests.
I have revised my earlier goals with everything said above. How would you prioritize/order the list below depending on how you make your teas:
- Easy to open and close
- Internal space
- Easy to clean
- More holes for infusion
- After-use storage
- Being able to stir with it
Hm, let’s see.
1. Internal space + more holes for infusion (I count these equally important)
2. Easy to open and close
3. Easy to clean (dishwasher safe?)
4. Storage
5. Stirring.
Awesome! Thank you.
Hmm. I made some design tweaks. Check this out: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104550746/Screen%20Shot%202015-01-01%20at%2010.50.16%20AM.png
Widened out the top for more leaves. More holes on top part. Cut the top and made it hollow for flowing water in to clean. Bottom still opens up for easy disposal of leaves.
Thoughts?
Almost every cup of tea I make is 8oz and I use a basket style infuser in my cup. For a long while I was just borrowing the basket from my teapot, but I’ve switched to a medium Finum filter.
The things I love about it are the super fine mesh, how much space the tea has to expand, how good for water flow through it is and that it comes with a lid.
The things that I don’t love so much are the aesthetic of the plastic frame, the fact that it’s plastic, and that it doesn’t come with a sealable container, so if I want to take my steeping basket with me, I need to put it in a ziplock bag.
I’m very happy with the Finum baskets, but I would totally consider buying something that included the features I love about them, and improved on the things I don’t love.
Anlina, thank you so much for your feedback! If not plastic, what is a material that would feel comfortable with?
Would love to get your information on the website to improve the product and keep you updated!
I like porcelain and stainless steel, for aesthetics, food safety and neutral taste.
I tend to be pretty picky about aesthetics when choosing tea ware, unless the functionality is exceptional. A stainless brew basket with a white porcelain lid and holder would make me pretty giddy with delight.
Looks like you have great feedback and you are on to a versatile new product. The shape is attractive, similar to other comments the size of the basket and the mesh size will be important considerations but wanted to bring back the aspect of use for travel. Your design makes me think of two infusers that both have lids that you can rest the basket after infusion.
http://everythingfortea.com/ttig
http://everythingfortea.com/product/sweet-leaf-tea-infuser/
However — I think it would be great to have an infuser that you had the option of “capping” totally to prevent leakage if a trash receptacle was not convenient. For instance a lid or cap that would screw on or off. Having to balance and hold the infuser on the lid on the way to the sink or trash can be messy, especially if you didn’t drain the ball enough. Hence, the Tovolo infuser holds liquid a little better than the Sweet Tea Leaf infuser.
Much good luck in the development of your product! You seem to be on your way to an attractive and functional design for the tea aficionado.
Hi,
Thanks for your response! For sure, I think I have plenty of feedback to go off of.
Those infusers definitely are in the right direction, but having used them both, the plastic feel of it makes it feel cheap. I really wish more care and better materials were used to build these.
Thanks again for your thoughts!
There are multiple with similar designs, made from everything from metal to plastic to silicone to ceramic. The prices vary on Amazon, I’ve mostly avoided those designs for the increased cost and low reviews. I feel like the pincer style tea balls work the same way- something small to hold the tea leaves and comes with a handle.
To be fair though, I like the pincer tea balls for when I’m brewing really really lazily for teas that don’t expand much, but I know that I’ll be dealing with a messy cleanup and a small amount of escaped tea leaves in my cup. But they run for about $1.50 locally, so I put up with it.
That being said, at home I like gravity steepers and brewing baskets. On the go I prefer a steeping thermos or a tea sock.
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