Single Cup Teapot with Extra Fine Infuser?
Hello all!
I am hoping for some recommendations as to a new teapot! I drink entirely herbals and rooibos, and as such need a rather fine strainer (you know how pesky those rooibos needles are). I tend to also only drink one cup at a time.
I have been looking at standalone basket strainers, but a lot of them are too tall/big for a small one cup teapot. So I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a single cup teapot with a strainer that either comes with it, or a teapot and a strainer that you know will fit? I prefer porcelain., though am open to glass, too.
I checked out the Curve pot, but was annoyed that the top doesn’t come off, which makes cleaning tricky. Any other suggestions?I use the Bubble Teapot from Davids Tea at home for hubby and I, and at work we each have Perfect Tea Mugs (also Davids). I’ve yet to use the Finum filter which may be finer so you could also look at Finum products. I prefer to use filter bags for rooibos (because, as you say, those needles are small!) but I’ve had success with these products.
Another idea is a reusable filter bag, made of cheesecloth or something similar. I know that they can be bought online from some places, or you could mock something up yourself.
Another other option is to steep it loose and then pour through cheesecloth or a great filter or something when you’re ready to drink. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
I have a Bee House tea pot which I really love, and I regularly steep rooibos and other very small particle tea in it. It’s fine enough that really only dust will fall through it.
I have the 26oz but they do a variety of small pots from 11 – 15oz. http://www.beehouseteapot.com/beehouse.htm
I’m a sucker for sleek, minimalist design, white ceramic and stainless steel accents. I lusted after these for quite a while, till my sweetie got me one for Xmas.
I’ve seen other brands of pots in this style, but none quite as nice, with such a perfect fitting lid.
I made a pot of rooibos in my Bee House pot last night just to double check and maybe a dozen needles escaped. The rest stayed put in the basket. So I guess it depends on whether you want to be able to drink right to the bottom of your pot or if you’re okay with leaving the last sip.
Oh my gosh, the Bee House tea pot is EXACTLY what I am looking for! Extra fine filter, removable lid, pretty design, small size. PERFECT! I knew you guys would have the solution!
I have a Zero teapot as well, for my (fine) Sencha teas. These pots have a very good filter, although I doubt if they are fine enough for rooibos and herbel teas.
I drink herbal teas now and then, and use a T-sac no. 2 (for single cup)
http://www.t-sac.com/index.html (here is some info)
they are widely available and, I think, the best solution for using for rooibos and herbal teas.
That T-sac is pretty brilliant – I have and use them a whole lot, especially for rooibos. I am curious to see if there are any filters that will keep my rooibos in, but give it a bit more room to steep well. I am always nervous that the t sacs compress the tea and don’t let them breathe as much as I like. Have you noticed any difference between an open filter vs a t sac in terms of taste?
With rooibos, I don’t notice much difference. Most rooibos teas I drink have added flavourings and ingredients and they make themselves known no matter what. For “true” tea (camellia) I notice a bit more of a difference, but not enough to stop me. I still use them on occasion, but prefer to go with other methods because I feel horrible about the added waste.
I have a set of cotton muslin bags.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YTLW0K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They work just like the paper filters and are fine enough that I can put ground spices in them with only a tiny bit of dust getting through. I wash them with my kitchen towels, though I think some people put them in the dishwasher.
Just make sure if you get them that you tie off the strings so they don’t unravel and wash them once before you use them. They shrink a bit in the first wash, so if you don’t they will let some particles through.
Oh, I also have this tea sock. It’s just a cotton bag on a plastic loop. I mostly use it for travelling, but it works well for any type of tea: http://vintagetealeaf.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/teasock.jpg
That is super cool! That would work really well in some of my extra-tiny teapots that are rather shallow!!
We wonder whether this may do the trick for you, it has a 0.3 mm pore size which should work for rooibos.
http://everythingfortea.com/product/curve-teacup-infuser/
And this may be more capacity than you are looking for and not fine enough but it has a ceramic infuser:
http://everythingfortea.com/product/le-creuset-stoneware-teapot/
Good luck! Always enjoy tea!
You will find a variety of parcelain teapots from sellers in china on Ebay in the 8 oz range with strainers. This one from Streetshop88 would probably work for rooibos and the seller is excellent. I have bought from them many times, both tea and teaware although not this particular pot.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-Porcelain-Pottery-Gongfu-Peony-Flower-Teapot-Tea-Pot-240ml-New-/230857672222?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c030861e
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