Top 5 Teaware Recommendations by a Tea Specialist

I’ve spent thousands of dollars testing all kinds of teaware over the years — from simple stainless steel infusers to handcrafted ceremonial sets.

If you’re wondering:

• What is the best way to brew loose leaf tea?
• Are tea bags safe?
• What teaware do I actually need?

This guide is for you.

As a tea specialist and founder of Leef NYC, I always recommend brewing loose leaf tea instead of tea bags — and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Let’s start with why.

Why I Don’t Recommend Tea Bags

Recent studies have shown that some tea bags — even those marketed as “premium” — may release microplastics or unwanted chemicals when steeped in hot water.

Tea itself is incredibly beneficial. High-quality loose-leaf tea is naturally rich in:

• Catechins
• Antioxidants
• L-theanine
• Vitamins and minerals

But when brewed inside certain tea bags, you may also be infusing synthetic materials into your cup.

That’s why I always suggest switching to loose leaf tea. It allows the leaves to fully open, extract properly, and deliver cleaner flavor — without unwanted additives. 

Watch my instagram reels for more information on this. 

And no, it’s not more work.

Here are the five best teaware options I recommend — from beginner-friendly to ritual-focused.

1. Best Budget Option: Stainless Steel Tea Infuser

If you’re new to loose leaf tea, this is the best place to start.

Why it works:

• Affordable and widely available
• No plastic
• Easy to clean
• Allows whole tea leaves to expand fully

A simple stainless steel tea infuser placed inside your cup or teapot is one of the easiest ways to brew loose leaf tea at home.

Avoid small ball-shaped or overly decorative infusers — they restrict leaf expansion and are harder to clean. Choose one with enough room for the leaves to open and a foldable handle for easy storage.

Best for: beginners, travel, everyday brewing, busy mornings.

Recommendation: OXO Brew Tea Infuser Basket or Tea Infuser,Stainless Steel Tea Steeper 

2. Best for Convenience: One-Touch Teapot

If you want convenience without sacrificing quality, a one-touch teapot is an excellent investment.

These teapots come with a built-in filter system that allows you to control steeping time easily.

I personally love options from Kinto for their durability and minimalist design. For a more refined look, handcrafted borosilicate glass teapots from Japanese makers like U-Craft offer elegance with practicality.

Why it works:

• Built-in filter
• Easy to clean
• Great for herbal tisanes
• Stylish enough for daily use

However, I don’t recommend one-touch teapots for delicate whole-leaf teas like green tea and black teas.  Extended contact with water may cause over-extraction and bitterness.

Best for: Herbal teas (tisanes) like yuja, ginger, artemisia, pumpkin, barley grass, and wild pear, as well as flower teas such as chrysanthemum, marigold, magnolia, and plum blossoms.

Recommendation: Kinto UNITEA teapot or Craft-U Round Pot

3. Best for Balanced Brewing: Tea Strainer + Fairness Glass

If you want better flavor control, this setup changes everything.

A separate tea strainer paired with a fairness cup (glass pitcher) allows you to completely separate the leaves from the tea liquor once brewing is complete.

Why it matters:

• Prevents over-steeping
• Ensures consistent flavors
• Ideal for multiple infusions
• Perfect for sharing tea

This method is especially important for premium whole-leaf teas, where precise extraction enhances sweetness and reduces bitterness.

At Leef NYC, we’ve collaborated with Korean artists to create silver-plated tea strainers that elevate both function and aesthetics.

Best for: tastings, guests, premium green tea, oolong, red tea. Black tea.

Recommendation: Silver Plated Tea Strainer by Yun Yeo Dong 

4. Best for Mindfulness: Ceremonial Tea Setup

You don’t need a full ceremonial setup to brew good tea.

But if you want to transform tea into a ritual rather than a habit, this is where it begins.

A ceremonial tea setup typically includes:

• Teapot
• Tea strainer
• Fairness cup
• Tea tray
• Tea canister
• Tea scoop

Every step slows you down.

The sound of boiling water.
The steam rising.
The aroma unfolding.

Brewing tea becomes a sensory reset — a moment of balance and presence in a busy city.

Best for: slow mornings, meditation, personal rituals.

Recommendation: Handmade Teaware by Park Mee Kyung

5. Best for Summer & Hydration: Cold Brew Tea Setup

Cold brew tea is the most effortless method of all.

Simply place loose leaf tea into a bottle, add room-temperature water, and let it steep overnight in the refrigerator.

Benefits:

• No bitterness
• Naturally smooth flavor
• Lower caffeine extraction
• Extremely convenient

I always keep two bottles in my fridge — one for lemon water and one for cold brew tea or herbal tisane.

Cold brew is perfect for:

• Summer hydration
• Sugar-free drinks for kids
• Gentle digestion
• Busy schedules

While there are many cold brew bottles on the market, I consistently recommend the Hario cold brew bottle for its simplicity, convenience, and ease of cleaning.

Recommendation: Hario Cold Brew Bottle 

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Fancy Teaware — Just the Right One

Brewing loose leaf tea does not require expensive or complicated equipment.

From a simple stainless-steel infuser to a full ceremonial setup, the best teaware depends on how you want to experience your tea.

The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s balance.
It’s intention.
It’s wellness in daily life.

If you’re ready to explore high-quality loose leaf teas and thoughtfully designed teaware, browse our curated collection at Leef NYC.

Tea is more than a drink.
It’s a practice.