How do you steep loose leaf tea? This is one of the most common questions I get. There are lots of ways to turn loose leaf tea into a drink. In fact, there are whole societies of people who dedicate a good amount of time in learning how to get this right. I’m going to show you four ways I steep my loose leaf blends. If you’ve been thinking about drinking loose leaf tea, or dabbling in making your own blends, this one is for you.
The important thing to remember is there are no right or wrong ways. Some methods are more convenient than others, but don’t let tea snobs discourage you from using what works for you.
TEA BAGS/SACHET
Pros:
- They are convenient because they completely separate the plant matter from the tea itself, making it much less messier to use.
- They are very easy to cleanup since they are to be discarded after use.
Cons:
- They are not sustainable. They are intended for single use so they create a lot of waste (although, some are biodegradable!)
- Most tea bags contain bleach and other toxic chemicals and glues.
- They are the most expensive way to steep tea. Since they are intended for single use, there will always be a cost associated with using them.
Tea bags are the most common way Americans steep their tea. If you prefer tea bags be sure to get unbleached ones. I like to use the ones with drawstrings so I don’t have to fuss with the glues and all that. Here are ones that I like to use.
BALL INFUSER
Pros:
- They are cheap. Because they’re reusable, they are very cost effective.
- They keep trash out of landfills.
- They come in all shapes and sizes.
- Easy to clean with soap and water.
Cons:
- They can be messy. They do a pretty good job at keeping most of the plant material from the tea, but there will always be little floaties that get through.
If you’ve ever searched for ball infusers, you’ll see a wide variety to choose from. They can get pretty cute and creative. Want a narwal infuser? They exist. They have dinosaurs, cats, sharks and I even saw a cute grim reaper. Here is a standard ball that’ll do the trick.
INFUSER BASKET
Pros:
- More bang for your buck. They can hold more tea so you can steep more at one time or add more flavor to a single cup.
- Easy to wash with soap and water.
- They keep trash out of the landfill.
Cons:
- Floaties. While I find they tend to do a better job at keeping the plants separate from the steeped tea, fine particles will surely get through.
Infuser baskets are my personal favorite way to steep loose leaf tea. I like that I can add heaping scoops if I want to. Also, I prefer to get as many steeps as I can out of each brew and this basket makes it much easier to do so. Here is the basket I use on almost a daily basis. It has fine mesh so particles rarely get through.
TEAPOT
Pros:
- Endless variety.
- Can steep multiple cups of tea at a time.
Cons
- Bulky for storage
- More challenging to wash
I like to use teapots if I’m making tea for more than one person. They steep multiple cups consistently at the same time and create a pleasant tea experience overall. They’re awesome for entertaining! Here is the teapot I use the most. I also love the clear glass so I can watch it all steep in real time.
Remember, it doesn’t matter which steeping tool you choose. Use whatever works best for you in your life. The ultimate objective for me is to drink more tea. So do whatever makes you accomplish that. 🙂