subject: Tea Infuser Mugs: Styles And Usage Techniques [print this page] Tea Infuser Mugs: Styles And Usage Techniques
If you are particularly fond of the rich aromatic flavor of the premium loose tea of your choice, infuser mugs could be what you need for ensuring that you are able to enjoy your brew even on the move. Loose tea variants like the herbal green tea, white tea, and the traditional black tea are known to incorporate several health benefits and are being increasingly favored over caffeinated beverages like coffee.
Infusers have been able to provide interesting combinations for these healthy beverages, enhancing their goodness even further. Tea infuser mugs have made their presence felt in a big way. While the smaller ones can be used to make tea for one at home, the larger ones, which are provided with lids, can be used to carry your favorite brew to work or for consuming along the commute. This is a smart way of enjoying the brew of your choice irrespective of where you are.
Styles and Makes
Depending upon the aesthetics and usage, the styles and makes of the infuser mugs are known to vary. You could either avail of glass made versions or ones made of metal. There are clear glass mugs which are equally popular as the ones which have several decorative patterns on the outer glass. Similarly, double layered metal or glass mugs are also available, which keep the tea warm for almost two hours but is comfortably cool on the outer side, so that you can hold it comfortably.
Some of the basic features of these mugs would include:
* Larger lidded versions of these cups will have a tiny infuser on the lower surface of the lid. You need to fill just enough water so that it reaches the infuser.
* If a clear glass cup is your pick, they are most often fitted with a transparent infuser along the rim which drops down into the water. These are of the same size as the cup rim and because they are transparent, you can actually see the tea leaves unfurl in water.
* Most of these large mugs which are meant for travel will have leak proof lids so that the tea does not spill over.
Usage Techniques
When you use infuser mugs for brewing your favorite tea, be careful about the quantity of loose tea you plan to use. You need to be particularly careful about the quantity of green tea and black tea and steep them carefully. Steeping for too long can lend a bitter taste to your favorite brew. Normally, there is a mesh infuser on the backside of the lid. Fill your choice of tea leaves into this mesh and the water should touch the meshed infuser. Now, just shake the mug gently for making the tea.
For cups with drop in infusers, you need to drop the required quantity of loose tea into the infuser and then drop the infuser in water. It's better to try out with smaller amounts at the outset till you arrive at a specified amount for the right brew.
