Quick answer
Use the LT Cup with Strainer 260ml as your brewing vessel: add loose leaves to the removable stainless steel strainer, pour hot water over them, steep to taste, then lift out the strainer to stop extraction. It gives you single-serve tea without a teapot.
Why a cup with a built-in strainer works for single-serve tea
A dedicated teapot makes sense when you are brewing for several people, but for one mug it adds another vessel to preheat, clean, and store. The LT Cup with Strainer 260ml puts the strainer directly in the cup, so the leaves steep in the same vessel you drink from. That shortens the path from dry leaf to cup and makes it easier to brew a second infusion without dirtying a pot.
The 260ml capacity is sized for a single generous serving. If you usually drink from a smaller cup, you can brew a slightly stronger concentrate and add hot water to taste; if you use a large mug, you may prefer to brew two rounds rather than overfill.
What to expect from the strainer and the cup
The strainer is removable and made of stainless steel. That means you can lift it out cleanly when the tea has reached the strength you want, rather than guessing when to stop pouring. It also means you can rinse the strainer separately and let the cup dry without trapped leaves.
Because the strainer sits inside the cup, very fine particles from broken or dusty teas may pass through more readily than with a paper filter. For whole-leaf teas, this is rarely an issue; for finely cut teas, expect some sediment at the bottom of the cup. The cup is designed for usability and to bring out the character of the tea, so it works best with leaves that have room to unfurl.
How to brew loose leaf tea in the LT Cup with Strainer 260ml
- Preheat the cup and strainer: Fill the cup with hot water, let it sit for a few seconds, then pour it out. This warms the vessel so your first pour of tea does not cool too quickly. Common mistake: skipping this step and brewing in a cold cup, which can make the tea taste flat.
- Measure the leaves into the strainer: Place the stainless steel strainer in the cup and add loose leaves. Start with about one teaspoon (2–3 grams) for 260ml, then adjust to the tea type and your taste. Common mistake: packing the strainer too full, which prevents the leaves from expanding and can make the tea bitter. If the leaves look cramped, use less next time; whole-leaf teas need room to unfurl.
- Pour water at the right temperature: Pour hot water over the leaves until the cup is nearly full. Use water just off the boil for black and oolong teas, and slightly cooler water for green and white teas to avoid scalding. Common mistake: pouring boiling water directly onto delicate green leaves, which can bring out a harsh, cooked flavor.
- Steep and taste: Let the tea steep for 2–3 minutes, then taste. If it is too light, steep another 30 seconds; if it is strong enough, move to the next step. Common mistake: steeping by the clock alone—leaf size, water temperature, and personal taste vary, so tasting is the reliable checkpoint.
- Lift out the strainer: When the tea tastes right, lift the strainer out of the cup and set it aside. This stops extraction immediately. Common mistake: leaving the strainer in the cup while you drink, which continues to steep the leaves and can turn the tea bitter. If you plan a second infusion, keep the strainer with the leaves and re-steep within the hour.
- Re-steep if you like: For a second cup, return the strainer to the cup and pour fresh hot water over the used leaves. Add a little more time than the first steep. Common mistake: using water that is too hot or steeping too long on the second round, which can pull out astringent notes.
Product facts
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LT cup with strainer 260ml: The LT Cup with Strainer 260ml includes a removable stainless steel strainer. You can lift the strainer out to stop steeping and rinse it separately, which makes single-serve brewing and cleanup simpler.
LT cup with strainer 260ml
