Tea is one of the world’s oldest beverages, and for centuries, people have been perfecting the art of making it. And for truly delicious tea, you need the right tools and equipment. Sure, steeping and pouring may be relatively straightforward tasks, but serious tea lovers know that having the right gear can make all the difference. From the temperature of the water to the serving vessel, every step of making tea should be met with care and precision—not unlike the approach to making coffee.
To make delicious tea, you need the right tools and equipment. An electric kettle, for example, is ... [+]
“We drink tea for many reasons, and one of them is pleasure and comfort,” says Bevin Clare, Chief Herbalist at Twinings North America. “Tea is not just a method of hydration or caffeination, it is a tradition and a sensory pleasure.”
Because tea is prevalent across many different cultures and societies, the tools considered necessary to make it vary greatly. For example, “The best teapot depends on the cultural practices of drinking tea and the type of tea being consumed,” adds Clare. That said, we sought to determine which tools were the most universally essential for all kinds of tea drinkers, tapping a number of experts to weigh in on the best tea-making accessories to make perfect cups every time.
Tea-Making Essentials
An Electric Tea Kettle For Precise Pouring
When it comes to making tea, the vessel for boiling water is of utmost importance. While you can use a regular stovetop kettle, electric kettles are infinitely better, as they heat up quickly and with minimal effort. Consider the Fellow Stagg model; thanks to specialized heating technology, it lets you heat water to a specific temperature, and when it comes to making tea, precision is crucial.
“It’s important to have the right temperature setting since there are different optimal brewing temperatures, depending on the type of tea you’re making,” says Rishi Deb, Twinings Master Blender. “For example, black, green, white, or other herbal options have different brewing temperatures.”
Additionally, the gooseneck-style spout means you can pour water over tea leaves with precision, and the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable and easy to hold. Made of stainless steel and coated in elegant colors like black, white, or warm pink, it’s a durable and aesthetically-pleasing product that can add efficiency and versatility to any kitchen.
A Fine-Mesh Brew Basket To Steep And Strain
“Tea is a simple beverage at its heart, and it really only needs heated water, tea leaves and a vessel to hold them in,” says Clare. “The beauty of tea is that we can make a cup without fancy equipment and it can come out well. If you are looking for a tool that would increase the quality of your tea, the most important item would be a strainer.”
This fine-mesh strainer from Oxo is made from stainless steel, so it won’t absorb or leach unwanted flavors into your tea. It’s perfect for steeping loose leaf tea directly in your favorite mug or teacup. Meanwhile, the large basket allows tea leaves to fully expand, and the tiny holes prevent even the smallest tea leaves from escaping. The lips of the strainer are wide enough to reach across wide mugs—they span 5.5 inches—and the silicone touchpoints help the strainer stay cool even in hot water. Unlike most strainers, this brew basket comes with an accompanying lid to trap in heat, and it even doubles as a drip tray.
An Airtight Canister To Lock In Freshness
Maintaining the freshness of your tea leaves is crucial to achieving a great cup. To do so, it’s essential to have a reliable storage system. Tea leaves lose freshness when exposed to air, humidity and sunlight, so these airtight canisters from Planetary Design are a great way to keep them as fresh as possible. Not only does it lock in freshness through a two-way valve system that pushes out extra oxygen from the container, but it’s made from galvanized steel that’s BPA-free, meaning it won’t absorb or leach any unwanted flavors. The dark color helps block out sunlight while the locking lid helps seal out humidity, too. (Though it’s perfect for tea, this versatile container can also be used to store flour, sugar or coffee, and it can accommodate up to 2.2 pounds of food.)
A Glass Teapot To Watch Tea Steep
Though there are many different types of teapots to choose from, a glass teapot is classic, elegant and functional. “My favorite teapots are glass ones with infusers,” says Deb. “They’re clear, easy to use and leave no taints.” This option from Bodum is made from borosilicate glass, which means it’s more equipped to handle high temperatures than standard glass. Inside is a large, BPA-free plastic strainer to steep loose leaves while allowing them to open up and flow freely. Encased in a stainless steel frame that’s available in three colors, the teapot itself sits on three legs for a chic and elevated look. A plastic, heat-resistant lid and handle make it easy to pour.
A Larger Tea Pot To Serve A Crowd
This super sleek ceramic teapot is ergonomically-designed to feel more comfortable in your hand, so you can easily pour cup after cup when serving guests. Simply fill the built-in stainless steel strainer with loose leaf tea and cover with hot water; tea leaves get strained as you pour. The secure lid helps trap in heat, so tea stays warm on the countertop or tabletop. The metal handle stays cool, and the spout is designed to prevent dripping.
A Set Of Chic Mugs For A Cozy Cup
Nothing is cozier than cuddling up with a hot cup of tea, and a classic teacup and saucer makes the scene all that much more romantic. With elegant gold trim and a simple honeycomb design, these regal teacups and saucers are the perfect way to accessorize and elevate a brunch table. Made from durable porcelain, which helps keep tea warm and doesn’t absorb flavors, the cups and saucers are finished with a glossy glaze. “Porcelain works with almost all types of tea,” says Deb. “It’s a very universal material.”
A Gaiwan Cup For Tea Connoisseurs
Gaiwan cups are a traditional tool used in China and they’re a fantastic way to appreciate the natural flavors of loose leaf tea. “If I had to choose one brewing tool, I would recommend investing in a good porcelain Gaiwan,” says Michelle Cheng, owner and founder of Providence-based tea bar. “A gaiwan uses a high leaf to water ratio, which means it brews tea in a shorter time, and can serve multiple brews. This style of brewing allows loose leaves to fully expand and infuse during the steeping process, which offers a superior taste and allows tea enthusiasts to enjoy the change of flavor over multiple infusions.” Once brewed, you can drink the tea straight from this traditional cup or use the lid to strain it into something else. The wide, sloped opening makes it easy to drink from, and the accompanying lid helps keep tea warm.
An Insulated Infuser Mug For On-The-Go Days
Sure, travel mugs are everywhere. They’re easy to find and everyone seems to have their own personal favorite. However, most of them are specifically tailored to coffee lovers, and fans of loose-leaf tea are left to adapt. Not anymore—this 16-ounce insulated infuser mug is specially designed with tea drinkers in mind, making it the perfect option for brewing a cup on-the-go. With a built-in stainless steel infuser and leak-proof lid, you can steep tea leaves easily straight from your travel mug. The two-way filter and infuser lets you drink from the mug without any leaves escaping. Made from BPA-free stainless steel, the double-walled tumbler is insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.
What Are Tea Essentials?
Tea is one of the most simple beverages on earth, but it’s also versatile, meaning the tools necessary to make it depend on a number of variables. “The essential tool in making a good cup of tea depends primarily on the type of tea being brewed, as well as the occasion,” says Deb. That said, “at a basic level, the most important tools would be a teapot for loose teas, a good tea cup, strainers, and a tin or canister for storage.” If you’re engaging in a tea ceremony or a special occasion tea party, a full set of matching teapots, cups, saucers, creamers and sugar dishes can be a fun way to celebrate.
“To set the mood for a tea ceremony, you can prepare additional items like a tea pet, incense and flower arrangements,” said Cheng. In addition to the tools themselves, it’s important to select fresh tea from high-quality brands and always use filtered water to brew it.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Tea?
While there are tons of different varieties, the most common kinds are black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong and herbal tea (like chamomile). Additionally, teas come in two styles—loose leaf and bagged tea. Though bagged tea is arguably more convenient, loose-leaf tea often has a fresher, bolder and more distinct flavor.
How Do You Make Tea Step By Step?
To brew tea, first select your tea leaves and the vessel in which you plan to brew them. If you’d like to brew them in a pot to serve more than one person, make sure to use a model that has a strainer or steeper. If you’ll be pouring tea for just yourself, you can select a mug and individual brew basket.
In terms of quantity, about one teaspoon of tea leaves to every six ounces of water is a good rule of thumb. Once you have your tools ready, place the desired amount of tea leaves into your steeping vessel. Bring water to a boil either in a stovetop kettle or in an electric kettle. Once boiling, pour the hot water over the tea leaves. Then, let the leaves steep for a few minutes (the exact amount of time varies by tea) and remember that the longer you leave the leaves in the water, the stronger the tea will be. Once you’re finished brewing, you can remove and discard the tea leaves.
