I Thought It Was Just a Toy… I Was So Wrong
April 11, 2025
Source: Sunsky
I know, I know — from tea bags to tea bags. They’re easy. They’re neat. You throw ’em in, add the water and bam — tea. Now, before you think I’ve gone all in on tea infusers, I’m still loyal to my current model, and no fancy marketing is going to convince me otherwise.
Now before you roll your eyes and say I’m just being a pain (which, okay, maybe a bit), let me explain.
First Time I Used a Tea Infuser
I remember the first time I ever used a tea infuser. It was one of those stainless steel mesh balls with a little chain. It resembled a miniature fishing net for fairies. I was probably 15 years old, rummaging in my grandma’s kitchen drawer, trying to find a spoon, and I found this weird, round… thing. Of course I asked what it was. And being a good grandma she fetched her loose-leaf tin and brewed me a proper cup of tea.
No bags. No strings. Only loose tea leaves and hot water. And a whole vibe.
That cup? It’s still one of the best I’ve ever eaten. Because it seemed like I was partaking in something monumental.” Something older. Slower. More thoughtful.
The Joy Is in the Ritual
Sure, using a tea infuser isn’t just about taste (although, yes, loose-leaf tea does taste better — fight me). It’s about the process. Scooping the leaves, clicking the infuser closed, plunging it into the hot water and seeing the color swirl like a lava lamp. It feels fundamentally cathartic in some way.
It forces you to pause. You can’t just rush it. Tea with an infuser has this whole little rhythm to it—and like, honestly? That rhythm kind of grounds me when everything else is nuts.”
My Squirrel-Shaped Infuser? Absolutely Yes.
Now, this is where it gets interesting. I recently bought this squirrel-shaped tea infuser — yeah, seriously. And it perches on the rim of your mug as if it is eating something, the tail in the tea, the tail perforated. Is it practical? Mostly. Is it adorable? 100%. “Yes, is it something that sparks joy every time I use it? You bet.
And to be fair: the thing that gives tea infusers so much charm nowadays is how weird and wonderful they’ve become. There are manatees, submarines, sloths — even Loch Ness monsters. It’s tea, but toy chest style. And honestly, if you can make a daily ritual feel fun again, why would you not?
Tea Bags Don’t Just Hit the Same
Not to be like some total tea snob (and I think I might already be, okay), but bagged tea doesn’t really give you that full-flavored, rich brew. Better tea is often a blend of whole leaves, broken leaves, and “dust and fannings” — ie crushed up remains of actual tea leaves. It is the instant ramen of tea. Does the job, sure, but you lose the good stuff.
A tea infuser leaves the whole leaves intact. You receive the oils, the textures, the scent. It’s a whole experience.
Cleaning It? Not That Bad, I Swear
Tea infusers are notoriously difficult to clean, people complain. “Oh, the leaves are messy!” they say. Okay Yeah, Not Zero Effort. But you’re not poring over a tub and scrubbing burnt lasagna out of a pan. You bang the leaves out, toss them into the compost or trash, rinse it, and boom — finished.
Plus, it gives me the feeling of living in a cottage in the woods with a kettle on the stove and a cat on the windowsill. So there’s that.
Why I’m Still All in on Tea Infusers
But at the end of the day, my tea infuser is a petty act of rebellion. Against convenience, Against rushing. Against everything just mass produced, mass pre-packaged.
It’s a moment of stillness, even for five minutes. To select one deliberate thing. Cozy. A little old-school.
So yes, perhaps it’s ridiculous to hang onto a squirrel-shaped steeping contraption when a bag would suffice. But honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.