Description
Many cultures and uses of tea consider it more than a drink, they see it as a ritual. In fact, the act of brewing tea is a part of the ritual. Regardless of whether you see tea as the centerpriece to a ceremony, a meditation aid, a hot drink at the end of the day, or simply as a coffee alternative, it remains that the brewing method significantly impacts the flavor, aroma, and overall experience.
Many different types of tea infusers are available, from single-use bags to French presses and infusion baskets, which are sometimes adorable with cartoon-like characters and animals. The preference for steeping method is as cultural as it is practical. In the United States, 61% use tea bags either exclusively or the majority of the time[1]. Countries with long-standing tea traditions, like Japan, Russia, Korea, and China brew with loose leaf tea then strain out the leaves upon serving. Naturally tea bags are used by some in those cultures, but are less common.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of different infusers in their ability to extract the essence of the tea leaves, and understanding the pros and cons of each can help you decide which is best for your needs.
Single-Use Tea Bags: Convenience at a Cost
First, some fun history which may help you at your next trivia night. There is debate about who invented the tea bag:
Contrary to popular belief, it was not tea merchant Thomas Sullivan who invented the tea bag in 1908. While he did (probably independently, given his reported design was quite inferior to the original) invent a tea bag that year, he was beat out by about seven years by Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two women who filed patent US723287, “tea-leaf holder” on August 26, 1901.[2] Its design has changed while remaining remarkable consistent over the years. As John Harney of Harney & Sons once said, all a teabag needs to be lifted to perfection is “furiously boiling water” and five minutes’ steeping—“no more, no less.” [3]
Regardless of the origin, convenient single-use tea bags are perhaps the best-known method of brewing tea in the United States and other Western countries. There are three major aspects to tea bags:
- Material: Tea bags are typically made of paper (bleached or unbleached), nylon, plastic, or silk. [4]
- Note: Bleached tea bags are relatively environmentally safe and non-toxic.
- Shape: Square, circular, pyramidal. Each shape provides different benefits.
- Seal: Stapled to a string, free-floating.
- Note: Early tea bag designs were sealed with glue!
Pros
- Convenience: Single-use tea bags are easy to use and clean up. Just drop one in your cup, add hot water, steep, and then discard.
- Portability: These are perfect for on-the-go tea drinkers. They’re lightweight, compact, and don’t require any additional equipment.
- Consistency: Since they come pre-portioned, you get a consistent brew every time without worrying about measuring out leaves.
Cons
- Limited Flavor: Many commercial tea bags contain broken leaves, fannings, or dust, which can limit the depth of flavor compared to whole-leaf teas.
- Environmental Impact: Single-use bags generate more waste and, depending on the material, may not be biodegradable. Only 10% of plastics are recycled or incinerated, with the rest being released into the environment or landfills. [5] Bleached teabags are not compostable while unbleached ones are fine to compost.
- Lack of Control: You can’t adjust the amount of tea or the space the leaves have to expand, which can impact the quality of the brew.
- Health Impact: A single plastic coffee bag steeped at 95 ℃ for 5 min could release more than 10,000 microplastic particles into a cup of coffee[6], which you ingest directly into your body.
When to Use
Single-use tea bags are ideal when you need a quick cup of tea with minimal fuss, like during a busy morning or while traveling. They’re also great for environments where carrying loose leaves and an infuser isn’t practical, such as the office or a plane. If possible, always choose high-quality tea bags made from paper or silk.
Since I make my own tea blends, both for consumption and topical use (yes, tea is excellent for skin abrasions and even muscular tension), I buy paper tea bags in bulk.
While you’re at it, read up on the difference between teas and tisanes!
www.ImmerHealth.co
Gold Tea Baskets for Precision Brewing
Usually made from fine gold-plated stainless steel mesh, these infusers provide a non-reactive, durable, and reusable method for brewing loose-leaf teas.
Pros
- Flavor Quality: The fine mesh allows the full flavor of the tea to be extracted without leaving sediment in your cup. The non-reactive material ensures that there’s no metallic taste.
- Durability: Gold tea baskets are built to last, making them a good investment for serious tea drinkers.
- Environmentally Friendly: Unlike single-use tea bags, these baskets are reusable, reducing waste.
Cons
- Cost: Gold tea baskets can be expensive compared to other types of infusers.
- Maintenance: They require regular cleaning to avoid clogging the fine mesh with tea residue.
- Size: They can be bulky, making them less portable and less practical for small cups or mugs.
When to Use
Gold tea baskets are perfect for when you’re at home or in a setting where you can take your time to savor a quality brew. They’re especially well-suited for brewing fine loose-leaf teas, where you want to extract every nuance of flavor.
Tea Balls: A Classic, Compact Infuser
Tea balls are a classic and simple way to brew loose-leaf tea. Typically made from stainless steel, these small, spherical infusers open up to hold loose tea leaves and then close securely before being submerged in hot water.
Pros
- Affordability: Tea balls are inexpensive and widely available, making them a popular choice for casual tea drinkers.
- Ease of Use: They’re simple to use—just fill with tea, close, and steep.
- Portability: Compact and easy to carry, tea balls are a good option for travel or for use at the office.
Cons
- Limited Space: Tea balls often don’t provide enough room for the leaves to fully expand, which restricts the infusion process and lead to a less flavorful cup.
- Cleaning: They can be difficult to clean, especially if the tea leaves get stuck in the mesh or seams.
- Inconsistent Brews: Since tea balls come in various sizes, it can be challenging to get a consistent brew unless you measure your tea carefully.
When to Use
Tea balls are best used when you want a quick, simple cup of tea without the need for any special equipment. They’re great for travel, work, or when you’re brewing tea in a smaller mug. Use with finer-grained leaves versus larger leaves to maximize extraction.
French Press: Beyond Coffee
While traditionally associated with coffee, the French press is an excellent tool for brewing tea, especially when making multiple servings at once. The French press allows the tea leaves to float freely in the water, giving them ample space to expand and infuse.
Pros
- Full Flavor Extraction: The ample space inside the French press allows the tea leaves to fully expand, ensuring a rich, full-bodied flavor.
- Versatility: You can brew multiple cups at once, making it ideal for entertaining or for those who drink several cups of tea throughout the day.
- Control: You can easily control the steeping time and the strength of the brew.
Cons
- Cleaning: Cleaning a French press after brewing tea can be a bit tedious, especially if fine leaves get caught in the mesh plunger.
- Size: It’s not as convenient for single servings as it’s designed to brew larger quantities.
- Potential Over-Extraction: If you don’t press the plunger down and pour the tea out immediately, the leaves will continue to steep, potentially leading to a bitter brew.
When to Use
A French press is ideal when you’re hosting guests or want to brew a large amount of tea at once. It’s also a good option for stronger teas that benefit from longer steeping times, such as black or herbal teas. It’s also convenient when preparing tea with room temperature water, allowing it to steep for longer periods of time.
Loose-Leaf Brewing: Traditional and Pure
Loose-leaf brewing, without an infuser, is the most traditional way to brew tea. In this method, the tea leaves are placed directly into the teapot or cup and steeped in hot water. Serve after straining.
Pros
- Maximum Flavor: Allowing the leaves to move freely in the water ensures they fully unfurl and release their full flavor and aroma.
- Authentic Experience: This method offers a more traditional and ceremonial experience, especially appreciated by tea connoisseurs.
- Customizable: You have complete control over the amount of tea and the steeping time, allowing for a highly personalized brew.
Cons
- Sediment: Without an infuser, small particles of tea can end up in your cup, which some people may find unpleasant.
- Time-Consuming: Loose-leaf brewing is more involved than other methods, requiring additional steps like straining the tea.
- Requires Equipment: You’ll need a strainer or filter in addition to your teapot or cup, which can be less convenient.
When to Use
Loose-leaf brewing is best suited for when you have the time to enjoy the full tea experience, such as during a quiet afternoon at home or a tea ceremony. It’s particularly well-suited for high-quality teas where the subtleties of flavor are important.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Infuser for Your Tea Ritual
The world of tea infusers is as diverse as the teas themselves, each offering unique benefits depending on your preferences and situation. Single-use tea bags provide unmatched convenience but at the expense of flavor and environmental impact. Gold tea baskets offer a luxury brewing experience with high-quality flavor extraction, though they come at a higher price and require more maintenance. Tea balls strike a balance between affordability and portability, but their limited space can restrict the infusion process. The French press is perfect for brewing multiple servings and full-flavored teas, though it requires careful cleaning and timing. Lastly, loose-leaf brewing offers the purest and most traditional tea experience, ideal for those who appreciate the nuances of fine teas.
Ultimately, the best tea infuser for you depends on your lifestyle, the type of tea you prefer, and the context in which you enjoy your tea. Whether you’re brewing a quick cup on the go or savoring a ceremonial tea at home, there’s an infuser that fits your needs. So, the next time you reach for your favorite tea, consider experimenting with a different infuser—you might just discover a new way to enjoy your brew.
Happy sipping!
[1] https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1093592/preference-for-tea-bags-or-loose-tea-in-the-us
[2] https://gizmodo.com/how-the-tea-bag-was-invented-1700351584
[3] https://time.com/3996712/a-brief-history-of-the-tea-bag/
[4] https://xhteapack.com/bag-types-in-tea-packing/
[5] Methods for separating microplastics from complex solid matrices: Comparative analysis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389420326303 (He et al., 2021)
[6] Pouring hot water through drip bags releases thousands of microplastics into coffee. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814623003345
