Aug. 28--Tea is losing its image as a drink for little old ladies sipping the brew out of dainty china cups. Whether for its health benefits or as an alternative to a cup of coffee, tea is hot.
Lenny Mud, Kit Tea Cat tea mug, $12
Bring a little fun into your tea ritual with ceramic pop culture teapots, mugs and single-serving teapot-and-cup combinations from Lenny Mud. Made from all lead-free, nontoxic materials, they're dishwasher-safe. Choose from several designs, including riffs on Lionel Richie's "Hello," Alice in Wonderland, dinosaurs (Tea-Rex) and Mr. T (aka Mr. Tea).
WMF SmarTea Teapot, $150
For the tea drinker who wants a big pot of tea. The teapot is a glass carafe, and the metal mesh infuser connects to the stainless-steel lid. Tip back the lid to remove the infuser after brewing is done. Tea stays hot because the pot includes a stainless-steel warming stand. Place the tea-light candle in the stand, and the glass carafe sits on top. Dishwasher-safe.
OXO Twisting Tea Ball, $9.99
There are dozens of novelty tea infusers out there, but inevitably many are built for looks rather than function. Skip the kitsch and get a working infuser. The OXO Twisting Tea Ball has a large opening for easy scooping and a twist handle for easy filling. It clicks closed to hold tea securely and is simple to clean. The long handle helps it fit any mug.
Spirit Tea, prices vary
Don't settle for a supermarket tea. Elevate your cup with a super premium loose-leaf tea like the varieties from Spirit Tea. The company sources limited lots that highlight seasonality, terroir and style from small family gardens across China. The high-quality tea means that brewers can often get more than one pot of tea out of a steeping. The popular Iron Goddess of Mercy oolong tea is $18 for 30 grams, slightly more than one ounce.
Bubba TasteGuard 16-Ounce Travel Mug, $24.99, Bed, Bath Beyond
Stainless-steel insulated travel mugs keep hot drinks hot for hours, but the metallic insides can sometimes impart an off taste, especially with delicate green and white teas. The Bubba TasteGuard travel mug has double-wall vacuum insulation to keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for eight hours, and the ceramic inner coating eliminates any metallic taste. The lid is spill-proof, and it has a travel hook for portability. Dishwasher-safe.
