Newby Chamomile
Chamomile, known as chamomile tea, is in fact not a tea at all. Made purely from aromatic white and yellow chamomile flowers, this time-honoured beverage is perhaps the world’s most famous tisane.
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How To Use A Tea Strainer
For tea lovers, there’s nothing quite like the rich aroma and depth of flavour that loose leaf tea provides.
View Our TeaWhile tea bags undoubtedly offer convenience, loose leaf tea allows for a more authentic and flavourful experience, as the leaves have room to fully expand and release their essential oils. To get the best out of your tea, a tea strainer is an incredibly useful tool that makes the brewing process simple, mess free, and enjoyable.
At Café du Monde, we are passionate about providing high quality tea and coffee experiences, ensuring that every cup is brewed to perfection. Whether you’re new to loose leaf tea or looking to refine your technique, this guide will walk you through the best way to use a tea strainer for a smooth, well-infused brew.
What is a Tea Strainer?
A tea strainer is a small and handy tool used to filter out loose tea leaves from the liquid after steeping. Unlike tea bags, which contain finely cut leaves confined within a pouch, loose leaf tea needs a little more space to expand during brewing, releasing its full flavour and aroma. A tea strainer helps to separate the steeped leaves from the liquid while allowing for a richer, more complex tea.
Different Types of Tea Strainers
Tea strainers come in various styles, each suited to different brewing preferences:
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Mesh Strainer: A fine metal mesh strainer placed over a cup or teapot as tea is poured through, catching any loose leaves.
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Infuser Ball (Tea Ball): A perforated metal or silicone sphere that holds loose tea leaves and is submerged directly into hot water.
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Basket Strainer: A larger, deeper strainer that sits inside a mug or teapot, giving the tea leaves ample space to expand.
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Built-in Teapot Strainer: Some teapots come with an integrated strainer near the spout, filtering out tea leaves as you pour.
Tea Strainer vs. Infuser: What’s the Difference?
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Tea Strainer: Typically used after brewing to catch loose leaves as tea is poured from a teapot into a cup.
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Tea Infuser: A tool (like a mesh ball or basket) used to hold tea leaves while steeping in a mug or teapot.
Both help create a smooth, enjoyable drinking experience without stray leaves floating in your cup.
Step by Step Guide: How to Use a Tea Strainer
1. Choose Your Loose Leaf Tea
Select your preferred loose leaf tea, whether it’s a classic black tea, refreshing green tea, aromatic oolong, or calming herbal blend. Different teas require different steeping times and temperatures, so check the packaging for exact guidance.
2. Measure the Right Amount
A general rule is 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per cup (8 oz) of water, but you can adjust this based on your taste preferences. If you like a stronger brew, add a little more; for a lighter infusion, use slightly less.
3. Place the Tea Leaves in the Strainer
There are different types of tea strainers, including:
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Mesh Ball Strainers: Small and convenient, but best for larger tea leaves.
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Basket Strainers: Sit inside or on top of your cup, allowing leaves to expand more freely.
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Built-in Teapot Strainers: Found in many teapots, making brewing easy for larger quantities.
Whichever type you use, ensure there is enough space for the leaves to unfurl, as this helps release their full flavour.
4. Pour Hot Water Over the Tea Leaves
Using the right water temperature is key to bringing out the best flavours:
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Green Tea: 75–85°C (170–185°F) – Too hot and it may become bitter.
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Black Tea: 95–100°C (200–212°F) – Ideal for a full-bodied brew.
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Oolong Tea: 85–95°C (185–205°F) – Allows the complexity of flavours to develop.
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Herbal Tea: 95–100°C (200–212°F) – Needs high heat to extract flavours fully.
Pour the hot water over the tea leaves, ensuring they are fully submerged for even steeping.
5. Steep for the Recommended Time
Each tea type has an ideal steeping time:
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Green Tea: 2–3 minutes.
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Black Tea: 3–5 minutes.
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Oolong Tea: 4–7 minutes.
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Herbal Tea: 5–7 minutes.
Over-steeping can make the tea bitter, so use a timer if needed.
6. Remove the Strainer & Enjoy
Once the tea has finished steeping, remove the strainer and discard the leaves. Your tea is now ready to enjoy! You can add honey, lemon, or milk depending on your preference.
Tips for the Best Brewing Experience
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Use Fresh, Quality Tea: The better the tea, the better the flavour. Café du Monde offers premium loose-leaf teas that provide exceptional aroma and taste.
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Properly Store Your Tea Leaves: Keep tea in an airtight container, away from light and moisture to preserve freshness.
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Re-Steep High Quality Teas: Some loose leaf teas, like oolong and certain green teas, can be steeped multiple times to release different flavour notes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Wrong Water Temperature: Too hot can scorch delicate leaves, too cool leads to weak flavour.
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Overloading the Strainer: Too many leaves restrict infusion and create uneven flavour. We recommend using 1 tsp per 8 oz of water for a balanced brew.
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Not Cleaning the Strainer Properly: Residue buildup affects taste, to ensure your tea is perfect each time: rinse immediately after use, deep clean with baking soda or vinegar regularly, and avoid soap residue by rinsing thoroughly.
Choosing Café Du Monde for Your Tea Needs
At Café du Monde, we are passionate about quality tea, offering a carefully curated selection of premium loose leaf teas, silken pyramids, and Newby teas. Whether you're a fan of classic black teas, soothing herbal infusions, or refreshing green teas, our collection includes a delicious variety of flavours to choose from.
So, now you know how to properly use a tea strainer ball and all other tea strainers, browse our website for more inspiration on the different tea flavours available and place your order online!
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