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Michael Plant

11/8
/06

> I'm not too much of a tea drinker (yet!), but I've taken a liking to
> doing several infusions of the same pinch of loose tea in the cup
> directly. Getting the water to the right temp., then pouring it over
> one of those mesh ball infusers and letting it sit for a few minutes.
> But from what I've read in the faq, this isn't really the way to do it?
> What do others think of this method? Anyone do it themselves? Or would
> it be that much better to invest in a teapot and kettle.
>
> -andy

Hi Andy,

I want to suggest that you invest in a small teapot
of porcelain or stoneware, but it can be dirt cheap.
Put your pinch of tea directly into the pot and use
a small strainer when you pour into your cup to
keep out unwanted bits.

Several reasons for this: First, you will have put
to rest the problem of the tea bound and gagged in
its metal mesh prison, giving it the opportunity to fully
impart flavor to the water. Second, the leaves of
many teas are quite beautiful swimming around
in their teapot pond, but you miss that when you
encase them. Personally, I find washing out a small
teapot hardly more work than washing out an infuser.

Give it a try and see how you like it. What kind of
tea do you normally drink?

BTW, for black teas, a level teaspoon per cup and
one for the pot is as good a beginning as any, if this
is news to you. And of course good hot water. Green
teas are a completely different matter.

Michael