A tea infuser is a small utensil used to make tea from loose leaves. Instead of using industrialized tea, in bags, the infusers allow you to make tea with fresh leaves, ensuring more quality and being able to create your own combinations. Infusers are very easy to use. When preparing and making tea, you can enjoy a hot, quality drink in the comfort of your own home.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Filling the infuser
Step 1. Choose your infuser
A tea infuser is a utensil used to pour tea leaves (replacing the standard bag). All infusers have a compartment to put the tea and a cord or string. Choose the infuser you prefer. Among the most common models are:
- Ball with chain;
- Ball with cable;
- Sieve (supported on the mug);
- Some newer models have a different shape, like robots, divers or anything else.
Step 2. Measure the amount of tea
Depending on the type of tea, you should use one to three tablespoons in the infuser. It is important not to overfill it so that the leaves do not escape into your tea water. Most teas come with measurement instructions, but here are some general instructions:
- Green tea: one or two teaspoons.
- White tea: two or three teaspoons.
- Black tea: one or two teaspoons.
Step 3. Place the infuser in the mug
After separating the right amount of tea and filling the infuser, you should place it inside your mug. The chain or cable should stick out at the edge.
Part 2 of 2: Making tea
Step 1. Boil the water
To make tea, you must use cool, cold water. If it is filtered, even better. You will need about 250 ml of water (one cup) to make the tea. Put the tea in a kettle and heat it to a boil.
Step 2. Measure the water temperature
After boiling, remove from heat. Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature. If the water is too hot for the kind of tea you are making, let it cool down a bit. You can follow the instructions that come with your tea, but here are some general recommendations:
- White tea: 80 to 85 degrees Celsius;
- Green tea (Japanese): 70 to 80 degrees Celsius;
- Green tea (Chinese): 80 to 85 degrees Celsius;
- Black tea: 96 degrees Celsius;
Step 3. Add hot water to the mug
Once the water has reached the proper temperature and your infuser is ready, pour it into the mug. Wait the indicated time to prepare the tea (maybe it's better to set the time). Follow the instructions that come with your tea or these general recommendations:
- White tea: 3 minutes;
- Green tea (Japanese): 1 to 2 minutes;
- Green Tea (Chinese): 2 to 3 minutes;
- Black tea: 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 4. Remove the infuser
After waiting the necessary time, remove the infuser from the mug. If you have finished making the tea, discard the leaves and rinse the infuser with warm water. If not, use it again to make another cup. Just increase the infusion time by 1 or 2 minutes.