The Beginner's Guide to Tea Accessories: What You Actually Need

One of the most common things we hear from people new to loose leaf tea is — do I need a lot of special equipment? The answer is no. You really only need a few simple tools to get started. But the right accessories can elevate your experience from basic to beautiful.

Here is a simple guide to what you actually need, what is nice to have, and what you can skip entirely as a beginner.

The Essentials

1. A Tea Infuser or Strainer

This is the one non-negotiable for loose leaf tea. An infuser holds your tea leaves while they steep and keeps them out of your cup. There are several styles:

• Ball infuser — The classic, small mesh ball on a chain. Inexpensive and gets the job done. Works best for smaller, finer teas.
• Basket infuser — Sits in your mug and gives leaves more room to expand. This is our top recommendation for beginners as it produces a better brew. Our Botanical Bliss mug and Dusty Blue mug come with one.
• In-mug strainer — A small mesh strainer that sits across the top of your mug. You pour your steeped tea through it.
• Teapot with built-in infuser — Great if you like to brew multiple cups at once, like our 20 oz ceramic teapot.

Our tip: Choose an infuser with mesh that lets water flow freely but is fine enough to catch small leaf particles.

2. A Kettle

Any kettle will technically work, but a temperature-controlled kettle is a game changer — especially if you drink green or white tea, which need lower temperatures. Boiling water can scorch delicate teas and lead to a bitter cup.

If you do not have a temperature-controlled kettle yet, bring water to a full boil then let it cool for 2–3 minutes before pouring over green or white tea.

3. A Good Mug or Teacup

Any mug you love will do. Some people prefer smaller cups (6–8oz) to drink tea at its proper strength. Others prefer a larger mug. There is no right or wrong — just what feels right for your ritual.

Nice to Have

4. A Kitchen Scale

While a teaspoon works fine for measuring tea, a small kitchen scale gives you more precision — especially for teas like pu'erh where getting the quantity right matters.

5. A Timer

Steeping time matters. The clock on your phone works perfectly, but a dedicated tea timer adds a mindful element to your brewing ritual.

6. A Glass Teapot

There is something truly special about watching loose leaf tea brew in a clear glass teapot. For blooming teas especially, glass lets you watch the flower unfurl before your eyes. It also helps you see the color of your brew.

7. A Tea Tray

A simple wooden or bamboo tea tray keeps your brewing area tidy and beautiful. It creates a dedicated space for your ritual — which makes the whole experience more intentional.

For the Enthusiast

8. A Gaiwan

A gaiwan is a traditional Chinese lidded cup used for gongfu style brewing — brewing small amounts of high quality tea in multiple short steeps. If you fall in love with oolong or pu'erh, like our Wuyi Whisper Oolong, a gaiwan will open up a whole new world of tea appreciation.

9. A Travel Tea Infuser Mug

If you want to bring your loose leaf ritual on the go, a double-walled travel mug with a built-in infuser is ideal, like our 16 oz glass travel infuser mug. It keeps the leaves separate once steeping is complete.

What You Do NOT Need

• Electric tea makers — Convenient but not necessary. A kettle and infuser work just as well.
• Expensive matching sets — Pretty but not required. Start simple and build your collection as your love for tea grows.
• Multiple teapots — One good infuser and a mug is all you truly need.

Setting Up Your Tea Corner

One of the loveliest things you can do for your tea practice is to create a small dedicated space — a tea corner. A small tray, your favorite mug, your teas in beautiful tins, your kettle nearby. When you have a beautiful, intentional space for your ritual, you are more likely to actually use it.

Your tea accessories do not need to be expensive. They just need to serve you — and invite you to slow down. Shop mugs, teapots and infusers.

Next up: How to Brew the Perfect Cup and How to Store Loose Leaf Tea.

Steep intentionally. Sip with intention.

Related Reading

Keep exploring with How to Brew Hot and Cold Loose Leaf Tea and Quiet Bloom Glass Teapot and Kettle.