rich_hudson

Similar to what SG- does, I've often just microwaved water to (or close enough to) boiling right in the cup, then dropped the leaves right in. I don't have a problem with eating a few infused tea leaves. Isn't there a Chinese expression about "eating a bowl of tea"? I think it refers to undergoing something unpleasant. Which would make it perfect for my office sometimes. --Rich

I don't know why it took me so long to discover the wonderful electric kettles that are out there. I use one made by Black & Decker (of all companies!) and it's perfect for the office. The base plugs in but the kettle itself detaches from the base so you're not encumbered. I got mine at Target but I'm sure they're widely available. Before, we had a spare coffeemaker that a couple of us tea drinkers (I drink loose-leaf green tea from MellowMonk) were using to heat water for tea, but it never got the water hot enough. We even have one of those 180-degree spigots that dispenses extra hot water. But that's not hot enough, either. (What people use it for, I have no idea. Instant noodles, maybe?) So this electric kettle is a godsend. Instead of a teapot I use an over-the-cup strainer that's about 2 inches deep, so the tea leaves have room to swirl around during infusion. I just thought I'd share. --Rich

I was a dedicated coffee drinker once upon a time, but green tea gradually won me over when I was living in Japan (island of Kyushu) for 10 years. I would get ordinary sencha but lately I've been getting something called "tamaryokucha" from MellowMonk. Fast, personable service and reasonable prices. They also buy from small, family-run farms, which I like the idea of. Anyhow, tamaryokucha is popular in Kyushu and is green tea processed in such a way to make the leaves curly instead of straight. Drinking the tea now takes me back to those days. I also feel like I'm doing something healthy for myself at the same time. --Rich