A proper tea brewing process makes all the difference at tasting time: every aroma should come through clearly in your cup. To get there, you need the right tea accessories and quality equipment. So which accessories do you actually need to brew tea? A tea spoon, a teapot, tea filters? And what about more specific preparations like matcha or yerba mate? Here's everything you need to know.
The tea spoon: an essential tool for measuring your tea
A tea spoon is a measuring tool that helps you use just the right amount of tea per cup. Some models also double as infusers, letting you brew directly in the cup.
Tea spoons: what are the key features?
They come in bamboo, stainless steel, metal, or porcelain, among other materials. Most are easy to recognise by their long handle, designed to reach into a tea caddy or packet. Like a teaspoon or tablespoon in the kitchen, it works as a simple measuring tool. Some versions, sometimes called handled tea balls, are fitted with an infuser and resemble a fully enclosed clip with small holes. You scoop the tea directly from the caddy or packet, then steep it right in your cup or mug.
How much tea does a tea spoon hold?
Tea spoons typically hold around 5 ml, or roughly 2 to 3 grams of tea. They are less precise than a scale, since they don't account for the varying density of different teas, such as black tea, white tea, Rooibos, and so on. As a general guide, use about 2 g of tea per 100 to 150 ml of water. That said, there are no hard rules: the amount of tea depends on your own taste and how strong you like your brew.
The teapot: the go-to accessory for steeping tea
A teapot can be made from many different materials, including cast iron, porcelain, stoneware, and clay. Teapots are often associated with a specific country or tradition: the silver teapot of Morocco, the cast iron teapot of Japan, the classic English tea service, and more. Here's a closer look at electric teapots, glass teapots, and cast iron teapots.
The cast iron teapot
Cast iron teapots originated in China, but it was the Japanese who truly developed them. They are also known as Tetsubin. When uncoated, a Tetsubin is used as a kettle rather than for steeping tea. The cast iron teapot is a central part of the Japanese tea ceremony and is often decorated with intricate motifs. It tends to be priced higher than other styles.
The glass teapot
A glass teapot lets you watch the water take on colour and appreciate the visual beauty of the tea leaves as they unfurl. It can include a built-in glass or stainless steel filter or infuser. Because it retains no flavour memory, it's ideal for brewing different types of tea one after another.
The electric teapot
An electric teapot serves double duty as both a teapot and a kettle. The right capacity depends on how many cups you typically make and your personal preferences. Depending on the model, you can select a specific water temperature and steeping time, giving you full control over each brew.
The tea filter: the ideal accessory for loose-leaf tea
There is a wide variety of tea filters available: small or large, in wood, silicone, paper, or stainless steel, in all sorts of shapes and colours. Your choice will depend on the pros and cons of each material. Stainless steel is durable, but fine tea particles or Rooibos granules can get caught in the small holes. Silicone filters may darken over time and absorb flavours after repeated use. Glass filters offer a beautiful view of the steeping process, but are more fragile. You can also opt for disposable paper filters.
Preparing matcha: what equipment do you need?
Matcha is a form of green tea that comes as a fine powder. It is prepared in a wide, shallow bowl called a Chawan. The list of matcha accessories is short: a bowl, a whisk, and a spoon. Following Japanese tradition, a bamboo whisk is used to blend the green tea powder with hot water. It is recommended to use a dedicated matcha bowl with a flat base and straight sides. The better the quality of the bowl, the higher the price. The bamboo matcha spoon gives you exactly the right dose for one bowl.
Yerba Mate: which tools do you need?
Two yerba mate accessories are essential for enjoying your drink the traditional way. You'll need a gourd (calabash) and a bombilla. The calabash is the traditional vessel for yerba mate: a round, cup-shaped container resembling the gourd it's named after. It can be made from artisan wood, ceramic, leather, or metal, sometimes with a lid. The bombilla is a metal straw with a built-in filter. The mate leaves are steeped directly in the calabash, and the bombilla's filter prevents you from drinking them.