Tea ranks among the top 5 most-consumed drinks around the world. With such an extensive range of flavours, it’s only given that tea lovers want to make the most out of it and savour every little bit of flavour. But did you know that the way you prepare your beverage can change how it tastes?
If you want to get all those yummy aromas, get hot tea infusers and use them to let tea leaves fully develop their rich taste. Unlike strainers, infusers prevent the leaves from escaping into the water while allowing them to float freely inside the contained space, releasing their full flavour potential.
What Are Tea Infusers? 
Tea steepers are small tools designed to brew loose leaves. Think of them as small cages with holes large enough for the water to get inside, but small enough to keep the leaves contained. Essentially they do the job of tea bags but instead of disposing of them after each use, an infuser can be used as many times as you want for many years. Infusers let the leaves float freely inside it and by doing so, it helps them release all the good flavours into the water.
So, how do you use a hot tea infuser? It’s very simple. Place the tea leaves inside the infuser, and make sure it’s properly closed. Drop the infuser into the hot water and let it steep for as long as recommended based on the type of tea you’re preparing. When the time is over, just take the infuser out and enjoy your favourite beverage without any residue in it.
What is the Difference Between a Tea Infuser and a Tea Strainer?
They both look and work similarly, yet, they are still different. Tea steepers or infusers are small, perforated balls or baskets that keep the leaves inside while steeping in hot water. A tea strainer, on the other hand, is used after the leaves have been steeped. You use the strainer to pour the tea through and filter out any leaves that might get to your cup. While there is no right or wrong choice and everyone can use what they prefer, an infuser comes with some advantages that a strainer can’t offer.
Using an infuser allows greater control during the preparation of your tea as it stops any debris or tiny leaves from getting inside the water, which is not the case with a strainer. Using a strainer doesn’t guarantee 100% filtration. Some leaves may stay in the water and make the tea taste bitter. Any remaining leaves that stay longer in the water can make the tea taste overpowering because, with each passing minute, their flavours become stronger.
Therefore, an infuser is always a smart idea as it can meet all your brewing needs and help you prepare the perfect cup every time.
Common Types of Tea Infusers
Ball
A ball infuser looks exactly like a small ball but with a chain for easier handling. They are typically made from fine mesh stainless steel. Small and compact, ball infusers are ideal for brewing small leaves that don’t need to expand. Super easy to use - just drop the ball into your cup and use the chain to take it out once the steeping is over. Due to their small size, they are best for preparing one to two cups of tea but are not suitable for larger leaves that tend to expand during brewing.
Basket
Basket infusers are shaped like little baskets and are usually made from a stainless steel mesh ideal for brewing larger leaves that need to expand to release their full flavour potential. While they tend to be larger than ball infusers, they can still fit most cups and teapots.
Cup
Cup infusers look like small, oval mesh baskets made from stainless steel and can easily fit inside the rim of most mugs and cups, almost like a lid. Many of them come with handles for easy removal and the mesh is fine enough to hold leaves contained within, but still let the water interact with the leaves, giving them plenty of room to move around.
Some cup infusers might even have trays that can be used as lids to keep the heat while the tea brews or to prevent tea droplets from falling when you remove the infuser. Great for single servings.
Choose the Best Material for Your Hot Tea Infuser
Stainless steel and silicone are the two most common materials used in infusers. Stainless steel is a great choice as it’s highly durable, strong and has a sleek look. It’s a food-safe material as it doesn’t rust and doesn’t release any harmful chemicals when interacting with hot boiling water. However, while it’s rust resistant, is not 100% rust-proof. If it gets scratched or damaged, it can develop rust over time.
Silicone is another top choice for tea infusers. It’s flexible, easy to clean and doesn't interact with hot water or tea, so it’s safe to use and won’t affect the taste of your tea. Silicone doesn’t rust and it’s heat resistant so it won’t wear out easily.
Both materials are great choices and you won’t go wrong with either.