Straining to be different

If you’re not a coffee drinker, chances are you’re a tea person. just drinking tea alone could be rather mundane sometimes. so how about adding some melodies into your tea session? not literally though.

Alessi, of course have a fantasic range of tea strainers. the real star is this Alessi Tea Matter, Melodic Tea-strainer by Alan Chan. It certainly looks more like a showpiece rather than something we would use it every other day. and it is presumed the decorative birdcage that holds the strainer was created because of the relation between tea-drinking and bird appreciation in the early years of Hong Kong. It can be purchaed with or wthout the gilded cage.

Stefano Pirovano's Te o Tea Strainer, made by Alessi. The arms and legs of the figure are simply cute, but when it becomes apparent that the cuteness is also functional, then 'cute' becomes transformed into 'pleasure' and 'fun,' and this, moreover, is long-lasting

Beautiful and functional is a recurrent theme at German company Koziol, and this flower shaped loose tea strainer is an excellent example. Tea infusers often leave a lot of bits to swirl about in your mug, but a tea strainer like this one keeps your drink leaf-free. It also comes with an adorable leaf-shaped stand, and with that kind of presentation it would make a unique tea party idea.

Bodum as befits their style have some colourful if utilitarian strainers available.

Beehive kitchenware has a lovely valentines, but at $60.00 each is a trifle expensive and pewter is not the most appropriate F&B material- but i am sure someone will copy, right?

For those wanting to have an Alice in Wonderland theme, maybe the Miss Muffet Strainer, from Michael Aram part of his Flights of Fancy Collection which takes its inspiration from the nursery rhyme. 

Aram also have a daisy themed strainer as well, which again suits afternoon high tea services.

Another intereting approach is the top of cup method the Queen Anne's Lace tea strainer is a small, barely concave disc of silver that is more perforation than material. Hand made in Ted Muehling's New York studio. 

Handmade Copper Tea Strainer, designed by Kyoto-based artist Yoshio Tsujii, who specializes in wire netting craft (a skill he learned from his father). This lovely handmade tea strainer is constructed of copper wire with stainless steel mesh, functions both as a beautiful object and a practical utensil. The artist works and lives in Kyoto, a city well known for its role in the preservation of traditional Japanese craft, culture and aesthetics.

T-man. While not specifically a tea-strainer,what could be a better way to make a nice cup of tea, than using one of these fun T-Man tea strainers, just pop him in a cup of boiling hot water, and watch as he stands there brewing your tea.