Is loose green tea too much trouble? I've been using teabags myself.

I usually use either the wire mesh basket that came with my tetsubin (Japanese cast iron teapot), a cup filter or this wonderful little gadget:

Starter Set

Most Asian and Indian groceries also sell various sized wire mesh baskets for cups and teapots.

It's tricky leaving black or green tea in the bottom of the pot because it can become bitter tasting if steeped too long. Oolong teas generally don't have that problem so they can just be steeped without any filter.

I don't like the teaballs as they're a pain to clean out and don't leave enough space for the tea leaves to fully unfurl.

 

Tea bagging again, Dave?

I use tea balls, and wash them in the dishwasher's silverware basket. When I have tea, that is. I'm more of a coffee person now.

 

I use an infuser from Teavana. I think it's similar to what moxiequz linked to. It's very easy. Teabagging isn't for everyone.

 

Tea ball here.

 

I'm lazy, so I use teabags for tea.

But I do use a 3" round mesh tea ball in my Prius' engine compartment. It holds moth balls to repel rodents.

 

Can you get these things in your country?

Piao I Tea Pot GL-864 - Piao I Enterprise Co., Ltd.

 

I use an infuser for loose tea. I have an assortment, including mesh balls, perforated metal balls, and the clamping teaspoon type. I also have several teapots with integrated infusers.

Mostly I use Red Rose tea bags. For a normal bagged black tea, Red Rose is the best by far.

Tom

 

I've used tea balls... my little tea pot has a basket-type infuser, and I like that.
I have, in a pinch, used a coffee filter. Put the desired amount of tea in the filter, poke a chopstick through the top, and suspend it in the cup. Throw the whole filter in the compost when done. No mess
I also use tea bags, for some tea. I have about 20 different types of tea available most of the time.

 

Rinse 'em by hand. You don't even need to use soap unless you're fond of a soapy taste.

 

I have several of the mesh tea balls, I think they're stainless steel. Easy to clean in the dishwasher

 

A very similar teapot with built-in basket is available from Home Outfitters. They're part of Hudson's Bay Corp. Home Outfitters carries fancy-schmancy overpriced stuff like $1,200 coffee makers that grind and brew one cup of mud at a time, with operating controls only slightly more complicated than the original 4 man crew Boeing 707

I do find myself going to Home Outfitter's once in awhile though. They have things, like odd-size blinds and drapes, that I just can't easily find elsewhere.

 

Is that the Red Rose made in Canada, or made in the US? If ithey're made in the US, be wary as they may burst into flames without warning!

Oh wait, I'm thinking of Stab Lok circuit breakers

Seriously though, I've seen folks from North Dakota and even Minnesota drive up here just to buy our Red Rose tea and Malkin's jam. Something is up, not all of them look like drug mules either

 

I'm not sure why your dishwasher is "eating" the tea balls. I have a high-end Kenmore dishwasher with a stainless interior. It has a couple of neat silverwear baskets, one can be used in the lower rack, the other in the upper rack with separate wash arm

I plunk the tea ball - with chain - into the upper basket, close the plastic lid, and next morning the tea ball is in fine shape and squeaky clean

 

I agree, that's the dishwasher's job!

I also never kneel down on my carpet to pick up dirt. That's the vacuum's job