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Admit it: You buy loose tea, then never drink it because it’s messier than teabags. No more, thanks to this amazing gadget that scoops loose tea, locks it in, and hangs over the rim of your cup to infuse your water.
The Teastick
Gamila, $18
Since there is a direct link to the company that makes the product posted in the "article", I would most definitely say, yes, paid advertisement. If a poster in the Chowhound boards posted this, it would be in violation of the sites' policy - but I find most of the moderation done in a hypocritical manner on this site, so it doesn't surprise me one bit. This site is no longer about the love of...+READ
Since there is a direct link to the company that makes the product posted in the "article", I would most definitely say, yes, paid advertisement. If a poster in the Chowhound boards posted this, it would be in violation of the sites' policy - but I find most of the moderation done in a hypocritical manner on this site, so it doesn't surprise me one bit. This site is no longer about the love of food, but the love of revenue.-COLLAPSE
>> The tea stick is worse than a tea ball. Doesn't really
>> fit in a cup and constrains the leaves.
So then what is this "story" doing here? Is this unsigned report of
an "amazing" device a paid advertisement? Did the Chow staff
actually try it out? Does this lapse of editorial integrity extent
to the rest of the site?
Just curious ...
The cheapest place top buy mesh filters is an Asian grocery--they're a fraction of the price as at a tea shop. I paid $3 for 100 at Kukje Korean market. I also like them for when I travel. I can prefill a bunch and put them in a ziploc.
The tea stick is worse than a tea ball. Doesn't really fit in a cup and constrains the leaves.
The filter in the Ingenuitea works well--uses gravity to get all...+READ
The cheapest place top buy mesh filters is an Asian grocery--they're a fraction of the price as at a tea shop. I paid $3 for 100 at Kukje Korean market. I also like them for when I travel. I can prefill a bunch and put them in a ziploc.
The tea stick is worse than a tea ball. Doesn't really fit in a cup and constrains the leaves.
The filter in the Ingenuitea works well--uses gravity to get all the water out of the leaves, so repeated brewings aren't bitter (esp important for green teas). I have lots of other teapots, but this produces good results.-COLLAPSE
The ingenuitea is made of plastic. As I said in my earlier post, I was surprised at how cheap looking it seemed. Also, since the lid doesn't flip back completely, I have to do a bit of a contortion to pour in the water. To me, it's a gimmick & I almost never reach for it...however, I seem to be in the minority since many love it...(for one cup or mug, I use a paper filter or mesh filter--get them...+READ
The ingenuitea is made of plastic. As I said in my earlier post, I was surprised at how cheap looking it seemed. Also, since the lid doesn't flip back completely, I have to do a bit of a contortion to pour in the water. To me, it's a gimmick & I almost never reach for it...however, I seem to be in the minority since many love it...(for one cup or mug, I use a paper filter or mesh filter--get them both at Upton Tea)
I agree with you about the Chatsford...I also love my Bodum tea press...I've had it for at least 10 years, use it just about every day...although it looks fragile, it's lasted perfectly...no chips, no breaks...but if it does break, I will replace it instantly.-COLLAPSE
Ah, sorry. I meant what's the difference between this "tea stick" and a tea ball. It looks like it's a tea ball shaped like a cylinder and priced almost 10x higher.
The "ingenuitea" looks like another expensive gimmick. What's it made out of?
For making a cup of loose-leaf tea, it's hard to beat this old fashioned guy from Upton:
...+READ
Ah, sorry. I meant what's the difference between this "tea stick" and a tea ball. It looks like it's a tea ball shaped like a cylinder and priced almost 10x higher.
The "ingenuitea" looks like another expensive gimmick. What's it made out of?
For making a cup of loose-leaf tea, it's hard to beat this old fashioned guy from Upton:
http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?from=catalog.asp&itemID=AP12&begin=0&parent=Accessories%3ETeaware%3ETeapots&category=Chatsford&sortMethod=0&categoryID=88-COLLAPSE
The difference -- and it's an important one -- is that the Ingenuitea gizmo allows the tea leaves to expand freely & thus brew properly. The tea stick compresses the leaves and prevents adequate brewing.
So, um, exactly what is the difference between this thing and a tea ball? I mean, besides $16.50.
Second the mug infuser. Also I like paper tea filters...they come in both mug and pot sizes...they let the tea expand properly...you just discard the filter & the leaves when brewing time is up...I get these at uptontea.com but have seen them around elsewhere....
I was underwhelmed by the Ingenuitea...it's certainly OK but I was surprised at how cheaply made it seemed...also the lid doesn't flip...+READ
Second the mug infuser. Also I like paper tea filters...they come in both mug and pot sizes...they let the tea expand properly...you just discard the filter & the leaves when brewing time is up...I get these at uptontea.com but have seen them around elsewhere....
I was underwhelmed by the Ingenuitea...it's certainly OK but I was surprised at how cheaply made it seemed...also the lid doesn't flip all the way back so transferring the water from the kettle isn't nearly as easy and straighforward as it should be.-COLLAPSE
I heartily agree. The teastick was designed by a designer, or an engineer, not a tea drinker. You basically stuff the tea inside, and it has no room to expand. Also it was obviously created for a mug, not a teacup.
If you don't want to invest in a proper teapot, get a full mug infuser, or the wonderful Ingenuitea from Adagia.
The tea stick is not a good option for full leaf teas. It has little more volume then the tea balls of yore. The are way more convenient methods to make a cup of tea requiring less clean up.