There is not a good trades person that I know that doesn't have their favourite pieces of equipment that they can't do without. The same could be said for tea drinkers, especially when you are brewing loose leaf tea. The aim is to get the best tasting cup of tea, with the minimum of work. Here is a run down of a few of my favourites, that I couldn't do without.
Kettle with a Temperature Control
This is like my secret weapon, one that ensures that I get the correct water temperature for the type of loose leaves that I am using. For the more delicate teas, such s green and white, this is of the upmost importance. Pouring boiling water over these precious leaves will burn them, and cause the tea to taste bitter.
Measuring Spoon
How can you make the perfect cup of tea every time? By using a measuring spoon, you can accurately follow the brewing instructions to ensure that you are using correct amount of loose leaves for your cup or pot. That way, your tea will not be too strong, too weak, but just right!
Ball Infuser
Using a metal ball infuser is a great way to make a cuppa using your favourite loose leaves when you are not at home. They are perfect for tea lovers, as they are small, portable and can be used with most any tea cups or mugs. Made of food grade stainless steel, the extra fine mesh make them ideal for green & herbal teas. There are so many version of this tool available, so just find one that suits your personality and needs.
But are a few things that you need to remember:
*Preheat your cup or mug
*Use one or two teaspoons of tea per cup.
*Do not over fill the infuser, as the water needs to circulate around the leaves, and most of the leaves will swell. and remember to close carefully to avoid a spillage.
*You can re-use many leaves one more time. And there is no need to reheat your cup in-between.
*Rinse in warm water. To remove any tea stains, soak in a teaspoon of Bicarb soda in a cup of hot water & rinse thoroughly.
Tea Timer
If you are new to using loose leaf tea, you may be unsure how long to steep the leaves for. As timing is one of the most important factors in getting good tasting tea, one of the best things to do is to invest in a tea timer. That way, you will not end up with bitter tasting tea.
Happy steeping! 🫖