A tea infuser is a holder that keeps loose tea ingredients together while they steep in water. The water passes through its openings, and you remove the infuser when brewing is complete. It is useful for loose leaf tea; a tea bag already provides its own holder.
Infuser or strainer?
An infuser holds the ingredients during brewing. A strainer can instead catch them as you pour a finished brew into a cup. Some teapots have a removable infuser basket, while others require a separate strainer. Check how the pot works before choosing an accessory.
What makes an infuser practical?
Look for one that fits your cup or pot, gives the ingredients space and is easy to remove safely. Openings need to suit the tea: fine particles can escape through a coarse mesh. A design that is awkward to clean may become frustrating if you use it every day.
How to use it
Put in the quantity of loose tea specified by the packet, position the infuser and brew as directed. Avoid packing it tightly. Remove it at the end of the recommended steep, let it cool and empty it before cleaning.
When can you skip it?
For tea bags, you normally do not need an additional infuser. If you prefer the convenience of a bag, choose that format. If you enjoy preparing loose ingredients, explore our baobab leaf tea and check its current preparation directions to decide which brewing equipment suits it.
Keep exploring
Read our Herbal Tea Bags vs Loose Leaf: What’s the Difference? for more ideas.
For another introduction to our range, download the free K&M Herbs herbal tea and wellness book.