Many tea lovers prefer loose leaf tea to tea bags. It’s richer, more aromatic and is said to contain more antioxidants. When you are at home, preparing loose leaf tea is no problem. There are plenty of tea makers and tea kettles you can use to make a perfect cup of tea.
But trying to enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea on the go can be messy. In the rush to get out of the house, you probably don’t have time to steep the tea. Letting the tea leaves steep in a traditional thermos also won’t work unless you like your tea mixed with leaves.
The solution is to get a tea thermos with an infuser. Most such thermoses are designed for travelling. So they are compact – usually between 300ml and 500ml in capacity – and come with an infuser that allows you to carry your tea with you as it steeps. If you just want a thermos for use at home, look for one with a bigger capacity.
When you are buying a tea thermos with infuser, make sure you get one that is easily removable. This makes it easy to pour out the tea leaves and clean the thermos. Other parts of the flask should also come apart easily for a quick cleaning.
Another thing to check is the insulation. The best thermoses use double wall insulation to keep beverages hot for longer.
Different thermoses use different types of infusers. Some use a simple strainer while others have a more ornate tea leaves basket. Most can be used as a mug – you drink directly from it.
Here are the best tea thermoses with infusers we found online.
1. Teasire Stainless Steel Bamboo Tea Infuser with Strainer, 350ml
The Teasire thermos comes with a warm eco-friendly bamboo design. Inside, the thermos uses food grade stainless steel that keeps your beverages hot for hours.
To use it, add loose tea leaves to hot water in the thermos and then place the basket at the top. The flask is small enough to carry by hand or put in your bag. It can even fit in most car cup holders. You can carry it to work, to the beach, parties, festivals and anywhere else you want your tea with you.
While it has no handle, the thermos is narrow enough to hold in one hand. The exterior is textured to prevent your hand from slipping even when sweaty.
What we like about it:
- Stylish and eco-friendly design.
- Highly portable.
- Easy to use.
2. Diamond Pink Thermo Mug with Strainer
This is a stainless steel thermos, both inside and outside. It fairly large, with a capacity of 400ml. That’s enough tea or coffee to last you several hours.
The strainer goes at the top of the flask. You mix your loose leaves and water inside the flask and the infuser automatically strains it when you take a sip.
The flask is quite small, measuring around 21cm high and 7cm wide. It can fit in your car cup holder. You can also carry it by hand or put it in your bag. Double insulation technology ensures your tea remains hot for hours.
In the evening, just unscrew the top, remove the strainer and quickly rinse out the flask.
What we like about it:
- Anti-slip bottom.
- Large capacity.
- Ideal for travelling, office or at home.
3. Wushu 300ml Portable Tea Infuser
This stylish tea tumbler is perfect for travelling. It can carry 300ml of tea and comes with a removable tea strainer. The exterior consists of high quality porcelain while the inside is insulated stainless steel. It can keep your tea hot for hours.
The infuser stays at the top of the bottle. You can use it as a simple tea basket where you remove the leaves when your tea is ready or you can leave it inside with the leaves steeping while you go about your errands.
Measuring just 19cm high, this thermos can easily fit in your bag or you just carry it by hand.
What we like about it:
- Stylish exterior.
- Compact size, making it easy to travel with.
- Keeps tea hot for hours.
4. QILEYIN Insulated Tumbler, 420 ml
This flask is a slightly bigger at 420ml but still compact enough to use as a travel mug. It even has a handle for easy carrying.
The double-walled stainless steel interior is insulated to keep your beverages piping hot for up to 24 hours. The steel is food grade so it’s safe not just for tea but also soups and even food.
The infuser is a simple strainer that fits at the top of the flask. You can use it as a normal tea basket or an on-the-go strainer. You can remove it when you are carrying food or soup in the thermos.
This thermos is 100% leak proof. So don’t worry about how you’ll pack it when travelling. You can place it horizontally and it won’t leak a drop no matter how much it sloshes around.
What we like about it:
- Leak proof design.
- Strong and ergonomic handle for easy carrying and handling.
- Keeps contents hot for long.
5. QILEYIN QLY019 Glass Double Walled Tea Mug, 480ml
This thermos is almost half a litter in capacity, perfect for those who are looking for something that will hold more tea. It looks elegant with its glass design. The glass is double walled to insulate your tea and keep it hot for long.
This thermos uses a strainer basket instead of the traditional strainer. You add your tea leaves in the basket, not in the water. You can then take the thermos with you as the tea continues infusing.
The thermos has a leak-proof design. So even if you carry it sideways or upside down, it will not leak. For safety, it uses borosilicate glass which is BPA free and does not leave weird tastes and smells inside your tea.
What we like about it:
- Large capacity.
- Easy to clean.
- Leak proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you use a tea thermos with infuser?
A: Compared to tea bags, many tea lovers prefer loose leaf en masse. Tea connoisseurs claim it’s tastier, richer, and has more antioxidants than other tea types. But if you’re always on the go, then you probably don’t have time to watch your tea steep.
The solution is to buy a tea thermos with an infuser. These are just 300ml to 500ml travel containers that not only allow you to steep your tea as you travel, but also keep it hot as well. To use your tea thermos, simply add the loose tea leaves to the allocated leaf groove. After that, just add water at around 96 deg Celcius and voila. Your tea will continue steeping as you go about your daily routine.
Q: What is the difference between a Thermos flask and vacuum flask?
A: None actually. Thermos and vacuum flasks are all one and the same. Thermos is actually one of the very first brand names than became so popular it turned into a basic household name. A thermos is a vacuum flask that consists of two insulated layers with vacuum in between them. The main aim of these flasks is to allow as little heat loss as possible thanks to this separation between the inner and outer walls.
