Tea infusers and strainers are tools that help you brew loose-leaf tea without leaves ending up in your cup. Infusers hold the leaves while hot water surrounds them, and strainers catch leaves as tea is poured from a pot or steeping vessel. Both make loose-leaf brewing easier and cleaner than letting leaves float freely in a cup or teapot. Infusers are mesh or perforated holders that you fill with measured tea leaves and then place in your cup or teapot. As hot water moves through the infuser, the leaves release their flavor and aroma, and the mesh keeps them contained so you can remove them when the tea reaches the strength you prefer.

Basket-style infusers are larger and suit a full pot of tea, while smaller ball or stick infusers are useful for individual cups. Strainers are used after the loose tea has steeped in a pot. You hold the strainer over a cup or serving vessel and pour the brewed tea through it so the leaves are caught in the mesh while the liquid flows through. This lets you brew in an open pot and filter out leaves at the point of serving. In a tea routine, infusers and strainers simplify working with loose leaves. They help you manage leaf particles so the cup you pour is clear and ready to drink without extra cleanup.