Tea On-The-Go: Is It Really So Difficult...?
Hi guys! This is my first time posting here.
I’ve been browsing around for a long time in attempts to find a particular product that I’d like to think exists, but which for some reason I haven’t been able to find. It would combine the idea of a glass thermos:
http://i.imgur.com/ntu3ImV.png
with something like this leak-proof lid:
http://i.imgur.com/1dxUG8P.jpg
We’d have a glass thermos that doesn’t harm the tea with metallic flavour and scent, BUT which doesn’t have a crappy sippy-lid (http://i.imgur.com/gT9CAQc.jpg) that’s bound to leak. I would like to be able to literally place the thing in my bag among papers and electronics and not have to worry about leakage, and enjoy reasonable insulation to boot.
I’ve had metal thermoses before:
http://i.imgur.com/2Pm8dYt.jpg
…which kept tea hot for several hours and never leaked, but which always tended to smell and taste metallic. I’d rather not use those.
I’ve had traditional travel mugs, but the lids are never any good. If I put them in my bag’s bottle-holder side-pouch thingy:
http://i.imgur.com/H93JZ6F.jpg
…all it would take is me bending down to tie my shoe to receive a jet of hot tea down my shirt, which is really unacceptable.
Now, I’m aware that there is a drawback from going with the thermos-style lid in that it’s not easy to sip from. You have to unscrew the thing, and drink straight out of the wide-mouth bottle. That’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for leak-proof status. Ideally though, we’d see something like this design (or equivalent):
http://i.imgur.com/YOhULkf.gif
…where what you get is actually leak-proof BUT you can still sip from it easily due to the push-button/valve-system setup.
The last ideal would be if there were an infuser insert built right into the product, like this:
http://i.imgur.com/oEoxELK.jpg
I know that’s a lot of features to ask for, but I’d think that these would be pretty standard, sought-after features. My question to the community is, does anyone have any recommendations of such a product, past experience, or solutions for dealing with the issue of drinking good, hot tea on-the-go? At this point, I’d accept far less than the ideal so long as it were glass and leak-proof, and could keep a drink hot for at least three hours (which I’d hope wouldn’t be that difficult, given that even cheap metal thermoses hold heat for eight hours). Quality is what counts for me most.
Thank you for reading.
I haven’t seen any lids exactly like what’s in your picture. But if your just looking for something that doesn’t leak, there are plenty of glass thermoses with lids that don’t leak(wouldn’t leaking defeat the heat-preserving function of a thermos amyways?). Have you looked at LibreTea’s infuser or Adagio’s ActiviTea?
Also, I’m curious at to what type or brand of metal thermoses you’ve used in the past. As I understand it, stainless steel is totally inert and shouldn’t affect the taste of the water in any way. If you’re getting a metallic taste from water in a stainless steel bottle, the bottle wasn’t manufactured properly.
Upon further research it turns out SS does leech trace amounts of metals, it doesn’t seem like it would be in amounts that would be taste-able though.
Hi there, thanks for your reply. The brand I used was a DavidsTea leak-proof metal thermos. I actually linked a photo of it above. Here it is again:
http://i.imgur.com/2Pm8dYt.jpg
Because such a large part of taste is also aroma, it might have been the steam coming out of the metal bottle that created a metallic taste more than anything else. Nevertheless, that’s still relevant to me, so I’m continuing to seek a good non-leaking glass thermos.
I’m of the blind persuasion so can’t appreciate your pictures, but I know that david’s tea recently released a double-walled glass thermos that also has a steeping basket (the basket isn’t deep enough, in my opinion, but you could always use a filter and steep upside-down).
http://www.davidstea.com/double-wall-travel-mug
Hello, thanks for the suggestion! Sorry about the pictures, but I’m glad you still made it through. I have had my eyes on that particular thermos, but I don’t know how good the lid is. I wonder if it’s actually leak-proof, like, I can turn it upside-down and give it a shake leak-proof. I also wonder whether or not the seal will wear out. It seems to be a pop-top model. It might be worth a try.
I have two TEAVANA stainless steel insulated timbers that I received in a gift set. (Oh. I love my daughters!) They close very, very tightly and I have never had the slightest spill even when in my purse. They stay extremely hot. I know you said you didn’t like metal but I have never tasted any metalish taste. It has a comfortable lip for drinking. There is supposedly a place under a seal in the lid to stash a little tea. I’ve never used it but it looks very small. I enjoy mine tremendously!
I feel your pain, and have to say no, there is no perfect tea to go bottle that I have found. My list of specifications is much like yours, and everything is problematic in some way. The closest I’ve seen is some from China (I think ifjuly and TastyBrew have some that look good, but I don’t know exactly how they came across them).
My main problem with the various double-walled glass tumblers out there is that there is no insulation on them and thus the tea gets cold really fast. I need some kind of silicon sleeve or perhaps a tumbler that is glass on the inside but stainless steel on the outside. Also they tend to leak, or shatter unexpectedly because they are made of poor-quality glass.
Actually the closest I’ve seen is actually this prototype: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joeylandford/easy-steep-the-to-go-tumbler
Which was unfortunately not successfully funded.
And for those who have no problem drinking out of stainless steel: consider yourselves lucky! I can only drink tea out of ceramic or glass. Everything else imparts nasty off tastes (paper, stainless steel, plastic).
This isn’t glass, but it’s incredible for me. : http://www.gocontigo.com/mugs/travel-mugs/16-oz-autoseal-west-loop-stainless-travel-mug.html
The contigo brand traveler mug doesn’t leak, is drinkable with the lid on, keeps my tea warm all day, and happens to fit this tea strainer JUST right (obviously you can’t put the lid on with the strainer in though) : http://www.adagio.com/teaware/stainless_steel_infuser.html
It is stainless steel though. I USUALLY have funky tastes from metal, I know exactly what you mean. But I don’t have any trouble with this. I will say, I don’t use dairy in my tea (aside from butter). I think Dairy tends to react worse.
Would LOVE if someone had a nice glass version.
You might want to check out aliexpress for possibilities.
http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=glass-tea-travel+double+walled&catId=&initiative_id=SB_20140206042641&isPremium=y
I occasionally troll aliexpress for mugs, and I did again after you posted this.
Te3k: you might like this one:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Green-beads-double-layer-glass-cup-tea-travel-cup-tea-cup-sets-661/1058164337.html
Which is glass but appears to have a leak-proof sip lid, as well as a compartment for steeping tea (and stopping steeping once you are done). I may actually order that one (I want the neoprene sleeve too, haha!).
I found this site in looking for the same thing! I am a proud tea “snob” and hate the taste of tea from paper, metal or plastic. What is the advice for the best from what’s out there?
I have the answer!!! It’s really new – I stumbled upon your thread while researching for a new travel mug, ceramic or glass, and spent several hours searching. BUT – I think I have found somewhat of a solution!
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/276797-bubba-tasteguard-16-oz-travel-mug.html
It’s just recently been released – and here’s a review of it: http://rantingchef.com/2015/04/17/product-review-bubba-tasteguard-travel-mug/
I have not yet purchased it, but – I think it might fit all of the specifications! The only downside is the plastic lid – but I’m willing to take that for it staying hot, being ceramic inside, and keeping the taste!!
That looks INTERESTING! The details are conflicting though, cause who would make a vacuum seal cup and then say it’s dishwasher safe? I would be interested to know if this was a double-wall stainless with ceramic coating or a Ceramic inside with a stainless outside (like how old thermoses use a glass liner).
This one is similar, with a bamboo outside (though prettier) : http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/gift/bouteille-a-the-en-bambou-porcelaine
They used to make a glass liner version, but they don’t seem to carry it anymore
I know you were looking for glass, but I use one of these and I’ve never noticed a metal taste to it. Zojirushi is high quality.
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SM-KB48TM-Stainless-16-Ounce-0-48-Liter/dp/B00B1KVCEQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432854236&sr=8-3&keywords=Zojirushi+Thermos+16oz
Zojirushi is high quality, I will back this claim up :)
I have their 32ounce that I keep water at 205f in so I can preform multiple infusion at parks. I never thought I would put water that is 200f in a thermos and use it the next morning to brew some sencha… but, I did exactly that in Tokyo. Nice brand with a cool elephant :)
I can speak to this one too. I have a 16oz and a 20oz. It keeps liquids super duper hot. The size of the bottle is also very nice for more petite hands, but be aware that the larger sizes just get taller, not wider. The cap is very easy to disassemble and clean, but designed more for sipping than gulping the liquid. They also make an even larger one that’s more designed for cold liquid, the air flow hole is larger.
Vouch.
I’ve got one and have no issues with it imparting any taste, and it keeps the water piping hot for hours. They’re very well designed, and I have nothing but good to say about them. =)
http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-12-Ounce-Stainless-Steel-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00004S1CV/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1432856623&sr=8-11&keywords=thermos+12+ounce
Been using this for two years now. It has gone to Belize, Japan, and many different parts of the US on roadtrips… even made a semi-illegal stop in Canada (I forgot my passport). No metallic taste, cleans easy, and I’ve brewed everything from silver needles to black dragon pearls in it with no problem. I already used it twice today. Keeps liquid hot for a good 9 hours and warm for 16. The only problem is one day I threw it outside and the top black portion fell off… this I will admit is my fault, but it hasn’t changed any function of it other than how I have to unscrew it.
Let’s have a tea party and I’ll let you experience it :)
I’ve used this same thermos for a good while, even bought one for my tea-loving brother. I kept it in my locker at work and dragged it with me in my backpack all over the building. This definitely keeps the tea super hot for a good long while (I burned myself many a time before I got the hang of it). I believe this comes with come options for the cover, but if you use the fully covered screw top the seals are satisfyingly tight (never had any leak problems). I’m less of a tea snob about brew time, so I would use the basket backwards: putting my tea leaves in the thermos directly and letting the mesh drain the leaves as I took a sip. It is metal, which is one of your concerns, so maybe it’s not ideal, but I’ve had great use with it.
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