Loose leaf tea drinkers? Need help...

[Karenj2]

I've just gotten into drinking loose leaf tea - my cousin made me a "preggo" blend of herbs that are good for pregnancy. (And I'll probably continue after having Nemo.)

What I'm looking for is something I can use at work. I generally have been drinking 2 cups of tea a day - I'd be happy with either a teapot or mug with a strainer. (if it's a cup, then I'd like it to be microwavable.)

Any recommendations?

 

[maggiew]

I have a Melitta one cup machine thing to boil the water. Those use the tea "pods". However, I only use it to boil the water and don't put a pod in it because I use loose tea instead of the pod. What I have is a little spoon thing that has basically a tea ball on the end. I put the loose tea in there and put the spoon thing in the hot water and steep for a couple minutes. Then take it out. You could do the same by boiling water in the microwave and then using the tea spoon/ball.

Here is what it looks like:

Maggie

 

[sherry7]

I don't know what they're called, but there's a metal tea ball thing with small holes punched in it. There should be a chain attached to it as well. That sounds like what you need.

BTW, what does the preggo tea blend have in it? I'm 6 weeks along, and I've cut out all caffeine because it can increase the risk for miscarriage. I've just been using Lipton decaf tea bags.

 

[fakereadhed]

I don't know what they're called, but there's a metal tea ball thing with small holes punched in it. There should be a chain attached to it as well. That sounds like what you need.

BTW, what does the preggo tea blend have in it? I'm 6 weeks along, and I've cut out all caffeine because it can increase the risk for miscarriage. I've just been using Lipton decaf tea bags.

They sell a mickey head one in the parks the tea store in Epcot.

http://www.laughingplacestore.com/Product-2965.asp

Please be careful with herbal teas during pregnancy. Raspberry tea can cause contractions, even though some say to drink it to strengthen your uterus.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_herbal-teas-during-pregnancy_3537.bc

And congratulations on Nemo!!

 

[jlima]

They sell a mickey head one in the parks the tea store in Epcot.

http://www.laughingplacestore.com/Product-2965.asp

We have that one too! But I got this one for DH; so far it's very durable:

http://www.amazon.com/Fresco-FTF-10...2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1254460198&sr=8-2

 

[Karenj2]

I actually have one of those tea balls, but it didn't work that well - either the concentration wasn't enough or the leaves were too cramped...

As for the preggo blend - I'd check with your doctor first, but the blend was given to my cousin from her midwife, and used throughout her first pregnancy as well as now (her second). The tea had equal parts red raspberry leaves, stinging nettle & red clover.

 

[powellrj]

I noticed this week at Kroger, they have a commuter cup that has a tea strainer built into it. It was around $10.

 

[princessmom29]

I actually have one of those tea balls, but it didn't work that well - either the concentration wasn't enough or the leaves were too cramped...

As for the preggo blend - I'd check with your doctor first, but the blend was given to my cousin from her midwife, and used throughout her first pregnancy as well as now (her second). The tea had equal parts red raspberry leaves, stinging nettle & red clover.

I wouldn't use it. As the above poster mentioned, rasberry carries with it and increased risk of pre-term contractions. The stinging nettle bothers me as well. That could cause a histamine response in someone sensitive to it. The last thing you want during pregnancy is inflamation in your system. Think about what happens when you touch a stiniging nettle. When you consume the plant extract, which is what the tea is, you are consuming the chemical that causes the stinging as well.

 

[maggiew]

I actually have one of those tea balls, but it didn't work that well - either the concentration wasn't enough or the leaves were too cramped...

There are different sizes for the tea balls. Maybe you had a really small one before and it was all cramped. Try one of the bigger ones.


I've also seen sort of envelopes that are made out of material like tea bags. Those might work if you don't want to use a tea ball.

You could also just put the leaves in your tea pot, pour on hot water, and then strain through a strainer as you pour the tea into your cup.

Maggie

 

[katierae81]

We saw this being used at our local Teavana store. It looked easy, and the teas tasted great as well!
http://www.teavana.com/Tea-Products/Tea-Makers-Infusers/Teavana-Perfect-Tea-Maker-16oz.axd

 

[*BTMRR*]

My friend's midwife told her to drink lots of raspberry leaf tea to help induce labor at 39 weeks! I guess tea isn't an exact science.

Anyway, I use a tea ball but it is a pretty big one compared to others I've seen. As a PP said, maybe you could try a larger one.

 

[CherylA]

I have one like this

http://www.moonflower-starfire.com/site/1321714/product/610-87595801

I actually bought it at the Japanese department store in Epcot but there are quite a few places onling you can get them. I like it because like you requested it can go in the microwave. Even though I make the tea with hot water from our water cooler when it gets cold I like to warm up the cup in the microwave!

Oh and I also have a tea sock
http://www.teazonline.com/servlet/the-245/tea-sock-cotton-filter/Detail
nice and cheap but you couldn't microwave the tea sock. Now if you do like I do and start with hot water but just need to warm up your brew when it gets cold then this could work for you. Not though that you end up with this soggy sock thing after you make a cup of tea and the sock gets stained.

 

[ntink]

I love the Teavana one mentioned by katierae81 and use it almost daily - very durable.

I'm pretty sure there is a Teavana @ Christiana Mall

 

[Karenj2]

ntink - we'll have to get together sometime! I work in the Mushroom capital! (And live nearby, which I suspect we've talked about before...)

I'll have to check out the Christiana mall...

 

[Nicsmom]

I bought this one last year and love it.

http://www.adagio.com/gifts/holiday_ingenuiTEA.html?SID=a82b992a7b0a67a8d56e843db3d1f961

 

[jlima]

My mom has this; it comes in two sizes and lots of colors:

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/...K6810.desc.Tea-Server-Ball-212-Cup-Tea-Brewer

 

[Kelli Pooh]

I have the one from Teavana and I love it! I use it every day. I just wish their loose leaf tea was cheaper.