How to Choose a Tea Clip: the Essential Infusing Accessory

Ask any tea lover and they'll tell you: a truly good cup of tea starts with quality accessories. The infusion itself depends largely on the quality of your infuser.
There are several types of tea filters to choose from: tea balls, strainers, filter bags and tea clips. So how do you choose the right tea clip? Here are our tips.

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Tea clips: what are they, exactly?

A tea clip is an accessory designed for loose-leaf tea, and it typically comes in two forms:

A handled tea ball: a globe-shaped mesh strainer attached to a handle.
A closed tea spoon.

In both cases, the accessory lets you scoop tea directly from the caddy or packaging and steep it in your cup or mug. Tea clips are most commonly made from stainless steel.

Choosing the right tea clip: what to look for

A good tea infuser should be removable, suited to your vessel, and made from stainless steel so it doesn't affect the taste of the water. Two other factors are key when choosing a tea clip: the size of the clip and the size of the holes.

Check the size of the tea clip

Tea clips need to be large enough to allow the tea to infuse properly. Loose-leaf tea is dried, and the leaves can expand by around 20% as they steep in water. Your tea clip should have enough capacity to let the leaves fully open, giving you the full flavour of your brew. Handled tea balls come in various sizes, so it's worth choosing one that suits the amount you typically make.

If you drink tea in larger quantities, a tea clip may not be the best fit for a teapot. It works much better for individual use, in a cup or mug. One thing to keep in mind: a handled tea ball can be a little top-heavy in smaller cups.

Check the mesh and the holes

When you sit down to enjoy your tea, the last thing you want is loose leaves floating in your cup. Make sure the mesh of a handled tea ball, or the holes of a closed spoon, are fine enough to keep the leaves contained during steeping.
A handled tea ball should work both as an infuser and a filter. The finer the holes, the more effectively it will strain. During use, pay attention to the joint where the two halves meet: leaves can sometimes get caught there and escape into your cup.

Tea clips: pros and cons

Tea clips are wonderfully practical accessories, and very affordable. They're widely available, both in stores and online. Unlike some other infusers (which you might find in silicone, glass and other materials), tea clips are typically made from stainless steel.

Some find that the size can be limiting, not always leaving enough room for a proper infusion. That said, tea clips are sturdy, easy to clean, and take up almost no space at all. They're just as handy at home as they are at the office.

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