I bought an infuser but later it broke so if I want to make loose tea I have to use my Japanese teapot, which has a filter built into the spout. You could probably strain it through a coffee filter too if you had to.

I've done mine in a Mr. Coffee. Works great!

We put the tea in a small strainer, which we then set over the mug or teacup. Then we pour the boiling water slowly over the tea and let the strainer sit in the cup for a minute or two, depending on the strength you want. Pretty easy.

If you have a French press that works as well, or just put the tea in the bottom of a glass measuring bowl, add the water, stir and let it steep a few minutes. Then pour it into the teapot thru a strainer. Or use your automatic coffeemaker like Vannie does, that's how I make my iced tea.

I use my two cup coffee maker....but I would love to have a Japanese teapot like Kathsgarden.

Loose tea drinkers?

I'm a tea drinker, but no one's ever called me "loose" before! ;-)

I do it like sjerin, pour the hot wster into the cup through a tea strainer.

For a whole pot, like when I make iced tea, I put the tea leaves in the pot, let them steep, then pour the tea into a pitcher, using a large strainer.

I steep mine in a teapot, fitted with a strainer/steeping basket. 4-5 minutes for black tea works well. Make sure you leave enough room for the tea leaves to expand while brewing. If you're making more than one cup the small infusers won't work well because they don't give the leaves enough room. Try a basket strainer that sits in the lip of the pot or cup.

At home I have a small Japanese pot ($5 at Asian market). At work I use a tea ball.

I have one of the specially made spoons like in the link. Can't remember where I bought it though. Much neater than the tea ball on a chain.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I have a tea ball, which I have had forever, but I want one of the spoons. We have them at work, and I think I should buy one every time I see it.

vannie...sometime use apple juice with a cinnamon-based loose tea...ab-fab! (it's worth the extra time to run hot water thru to clean...)

This is for loose tea leaves only.

1) Don't use coffee maker to make tea. It won't give enough time for the leaves to open in order to steep through and release the aroma. A french press is better.

2) You shouldn't be using a ball infuser because it won't allow the tea leaves to open fully. When you add hot water into the container (over the loose tea), at first the tea leaves will float but once the leaves open, they will sink to the bottom.

However, teapots that has a strainer is alright just as long as the strainer is large or deep enough to allow the leaves to open.

Hope you still have the tea and these tips still help out.

I'm with Alisande. I drink loose tea, but I'm not considered particularly "loose"!

Alisande, Hounds, Happy to be in your company!

FWI: I have an idea that our standard teaspoon measurement came from those little spoons that were used in the kitchen for more than just tea.

Sue

Alisande, followed (pursued?) by Hounds ...

You're surprised ...

... haven't you learned that things new and different take place here, every day?

ole joyful

I like to get the most out of my tea leaves, so I prefer not to use the coffee pot, but rather to steep the leaves. I had a very nice Bodum pot a few years ago with a "core" that had tiny holes in it, which is where the leaves went. But DH broke it one night while washing it and I just never replaced it. So now I just put the leaves in my Brown Betty pot and pour boiling water over them, then place a small strainer over my cup while I pour.

Maybe I should become a loose tea drinker....might have more fun!

I have several options as son has gifted me with teapots. He gave me one a few years ago that has an infuser cup that fits inside the pot. It works real well. This year he gave me a clear glass teapot with a strainer that fits into the spout and some blooming flower teas--it is one huge flower, hand sewed together so it holds together, and it opens up in the boiling water. I also have a small tea strainer or two that fit over the top of the teacup as you pour tea into it. And finally I have a tea ball kind of device attached to a hinged handle that can sit in the cup. I do love tea!!!!!