If you're enough of a tea connoisseur that you indulge exclusively in loose-leaf, you'd better be armed with a good teapot. But if you still like to brew by the cup, not the pot, it couldn't hurt to pick up a trusty infuser. While the traditional tea ball route works just fine for your basic infusing needs, there are so many cleverly-designed tea accessories that the standards just seem boring. Here are some of the cutest trinkets for infusing loose-leaf. Pick them up for yourself or your favorite tea drinker.
Now you can brew your morning cup with the help of science! One tiny vintage-looking robot will peek out over your tea as he grips the lip of your cup with his metal claws. Twist his antennae to open him up and load him with loose-leaf. Don't worry--he won't short-circuit in hot water.
The land of submarine can be yours with this little silicone vessel. Bright yellow with porthole filters, this stubby submarine isn't a perfect replica of that once piloted by animated Beatles, but it'll do for navigating your sea of green. Tea, that is. It's dishwasher-safe and certified groovy: perfect for those who dig on '60s nostalgia.
Yikes! Here be treacherous waters. Fill this shark with rose-colored herbal tea for best, bloody results. Its infusing power looks most impressive when floated in a large, transparent vessel, like a big glass mug or pot. Designed by Pablo Matteoda from Argentina, I'm not sure if this bobbing infuser has had a commercial release yet, but let's hope we see something similar on shelves soon.
He looks so happy! And his little outstretched arms grab on to the sides of your teacup so he doesn't drown amongst the murky waters. Awesome. Fill him up through his hinged backside and let him steep.
If you're going to design a floating, chain-free infuser, it damn well better be in the shape of something cute. This rubber duckie will bob along in your mug until you're ready to drink up. He even comes with a holder meant to look like his own private pond.
Peppermint tea, anyone? This candy cane-shaped infuser hooks over the side of your cup and is the perfect accessory for the herbal brew-drinker. Makes a much better stocking stuffer than an actual candy cane, which I don't think anyone actually eats.