The perfect cup of tea awaits. Just a few basic tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your loose leaf tea leaves, for the best flavor in every sip.
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How To Use Tea Strainers & Tea Infusers
The Tea Strainer steeps loose leaf tea right in your teacup. Find your tea in the list below, and note the appropriate amount of loose leaf tea. water temperature, and steep times.
When you're done steeping, transfer the strainer back to the resting cup for a mess-free experience.
It's pretty tricky and messy to steep loose leaf tea in most travel mugs, so we made our own. Remove the press before adding your tea, and use the inside of the press to add ice for iced tea. Be sure to note the fill lines for hot or iced tea. Push the press fully down to stop steeping.
Check the list below for the amount, water temperature, and steeping time for your tea.
Iced Tea Pitcher With InfuserMake enough iced tea to have on-hand in the fridge or serve multiple tea drinkers. Just add your loose leaf tea to the built-in infuser, steep, then remove the infuser and add ice.
Check the list below to get optimal tea amounts, water temperature, and steep times for your tea.
Small TeapotMakes 1 larger cup or 2 smaller cups of tea. Add your tea leaves directly to the Small Teapot and steep. The built-in strainer will filter out the steeped leaves when you pour.
Check the list below to get optimal tea amounts, water temperature, and steep times for your tea.
Large TeapotMakes 4 cups of tea. Add your tea leaves directly to the built-in basket infuser inside the Large Teapot and steep. The infuser will filter out the steeped leaves when you pour.
Check the list below to get optimal tea amounts, water temperature, and steep times for your tea.
Matcha BowlThe Matcha Bowl was designed with special convex interior sloping to prevent splashing when you whisk. Simply add your matcha and hot water, then use the whisk to froth.
Check the list below to learn about the optimal amount of matcha and water temperature to use.
A Breath of Fresh Air
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of A Breath of Fresh Air to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: At 5 minutes, the sweet peppermint will come out more; at 7 minutes, you’ll get the menthol blast from the eucalyptus.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of A Breath of Fresh Air.
2. Pour over ice.
A Good Root
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of A Good Root to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: The longer you steep, the sweeter and spicier the flavor gets.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of A Good Root.
2. Pour over ice.
All Matcha
HOT
1. Add ½ tsp. of All Matcha to your Firebelly Matcha Bowl.
2. Add 1 cup of water (76˚C/170˚F). Don’t use boiling water – this will burn your matcha and taste bitter! Boil water, then wait 1-2 minutes.
3. Whisk until frothy.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use ¾ - 1 tsp. of All Matcha.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use ¾ - 1 tsp. of All Matcha.
2. Pour frothed milk over your prepared matcha.
After Dinner Mint
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of After Dinner Mint to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: The longer you steep, the more chocolaty the flavor gets.
4. Remove your infuser and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of After Dinner Mint.
2. Pour over ice.
Big Red
You can get 3-4 steeps out of oolong teas.
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Big Red to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Use the following steep times in succession: 3 minutes (1st steep), 4 minutes (2nd steep), 6 minutes (3rd steep), 8 minutes (4th steep).
Note: If you only want one steep out of the leaves, steep for 5-6 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer after each steep and enjoy the perfect cup.
Blossom
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Blossom to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour warm water (75˚C/170˚F) over your leaves.
Note: Don’t pour boiling water over green tea, or it will come out bitter. Let the water cool a bit before pouring.
3. Steep for 2-3 minutes.
Note: 2 minutes will give you a sweeter, more delicate cup; 3 minutes will give you an astringent and caffeinated cup. To get the best taste, opt for a shorter steep. All the caffeine and flavor you need will come through in the first few minutes. A longer steep will leave you with a bitter flavor.
Caribbean Dream
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Caribbean Dream to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour nearly boiling water over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Add 2 tbsp. of Caribbean Dream to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour nearly boiling water over your leaves.
3. Steep for 10 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer.
5. Chill or pour over ice, and enjoy the perfect refreshing cup.
Chai Me Up
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Chai Me Up to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour warm water (75˚C/170˚F) over your leaves.
Note: Don’t pour boiling water over green tea, or it will come out bitter. Let the water cool a bit before pouring.
3. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
Note: To get the best taste, opt for a shorter steep. All the caffeine and flavor you need will come through in the first few minutes. A longer steep will leave you with a bitter flavor.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Chai Me Up.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Chai Me Up.
2. Fill your Firebelly Teacup ¾ of the way.
3. Pour frothed milk over tea.
Cinnamon & Spice Cookie
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Cinnamon & Spice Cookie to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 2-4 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Cinnamon & Spice Cookie.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Cinnamon & Spice Cookie.
2. Fill your Firebelly Teacup ¾ of the way.
3. Pour frothed milk over tea.
Dark Chocolate Shake
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Dark Chocolate Shake to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes. Note: The longer you steep, the more chocolaty the flavor gets.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 1.5-2 tbsp. of Dark Chocolate Shake and steep for 9-10 minutes, or even slightly longer.
2. Pour steeped tea over ice.
Note: Refrigerating your iced tea before enjoying will increase the strength of flavor.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 1.5-2 tbsp. of Dark Chocolate Shake.
2. Fill your Firebelly Teacup only ¾ of the way or slightly more.
3. Pour frothed milk over tea.
Note: Also exceptional as an iced latte – just follow the steps above, then pour over ice.
Flower Power
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Flower Power to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
Note: If you pre-warm your strainer with hot water (then discard the hot water), you'll get a more fragrant steep.
2. Pour warm water (75˚C/170˚F) over your leaves.
Note: Don’t pour boiling water over green tea, or it will come out bitter. Let the water cool a bit before pouring.
3. Steep for 2-3 minutes.
Note: To get the best taste, opt for a shorter steep. All the caffeine and flavor you need will come through in the first few minutes. A longer steep will leave you with a bitter flavor.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Flower Power.
2. Pour over ice.
Forest Fresh
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Forest Fresh to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
Note: 3 minutes will give you more of the sweet, earthy, woodruff flavor; 5 minutes will give you more black tea flavor and caffeine.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
Holy Mao
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Holy Mao to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour warm water (75˚C/170˚F) over your leaves.
Note: Don’t pour boiling water over green tea, or it will come out bitter. Let the water cool a bit before pouring.
3. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
Note: 3 minutes will give you a delicate, fragrant cup with a light body; 5 minutes will give you a fuller bodied, vegetal taste.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
Internal Combustion
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Internal Combustion to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Internal Combustion.
2. Pour over ice.
Island Hopping
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Island Hopping to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: The longer you steep, the more the tropical flavors will come out.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Island Hopping.
2. Pour over ice.
King Hong
You can get 3-4 steeps out of oolong teas.
1. Add 1 tbsp. of King Hong to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Use the following steep times in succession: 3 minutes (1st steep), 4 minutes (2nd steep), 6 minutes (3rd steep), 8 minutes (4th steep)
Note: If you only want one steep out of the leaves, steep for 5-6 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer after each steep and enjoy the perfect cup.
Makes Good Sencha
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Makes Good Sencha to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour warm water (75˚C/170˚F) over your leaves.
Note: Don’t pour boiling water over green tea, or it will come out bitter. Let the water cool a bit before pouring.
3. Steep for 2-3 minutes.
Note: 2 minutes will give you a sweeter cup; 3 minutes will give you a more caffeinated cup. To get the best taste, opt for a shorter steep. All the caffeine and flavor you need will come through in the first few minutes. A longer steep will leave you with a bitter flavor.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
No Ordinary Joe
1. Add 1 tbsp. of No Ordinary Joe to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: A longer steep time gives you a full-bodied chocolate and coffee flavor.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
Paradise
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Paradise to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: The longer you steep, the more complex and flavorful the cup gets.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
Pumpkin Spice
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Pumpkin Spice to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: The longer you steep, the sweeter and fuller the flavor.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Pumpkin Spice.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Pumpkin Spice.
2. Fill your Firebelly Teacup ¾ of the way.
3. Pour frothed milk over tea.
Shades of Earl Grey
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Shades of Earl Grey to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
Note: 3 minutes will give you more of the citrus notes; 5 minutes will give you more black tea flavor and caffeine.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Shades of Earl Grey.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Shades of Earl Grey.
2. Fill your Firebelly Teacup ¾ of the way.
3. Pour frothed milk over tea.
Some Nice Berries
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Some Nice Berries to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: The longer you steep, the more fruity the flavor gets.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Some Nice Berries.
2. Pour over ice.
Sweet Hibiscus Rooibos
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Sweet Hibiscus Rooibos to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour nearly boiling water over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Add 2 tbsp. of Sweet Hibiscus Rooibos to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour nearly boiling water over your leaves.
3. Steep for 10 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer.
5. Chill or pour over ice and enjoy the perfect refreshing cup.
The Champion
1. Add 1 tbsp. of The Champion to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 4-5 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
The Crowd Pleaser
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of The Crowd Pleaser to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 2-4 minutes.
Note: 2 minutes will give you more of the sweet vanilla flavor; 4 minutes will give you more black tea flavor and caffeine.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of The Crowd Pleaser.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of The Crowd Pleaser.
2. Fill your Firebelly Teacup ¾ of the way.
3. Pour frothed milk over tea.
Yuzu Matcha
HOT
1. Add ½ tsp. of Yuzu Matcha to your Firebelly Matcha Bowl.
2. Add 1 cup of water (76˚C/170˚F). Don’t use boiling water – this will burn your matcha and taste bitter! Boil water, then wait 1-2 minutes.
3. Whisk until frothy.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use ¾ - 1 tsp. of Yuzu Matcha.
2. Pour over ice.
LATTE
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use ¾ - 1 tsp. of Yuzu Matcha.
2. Pour frothed milk over your prepared matcha.
Warm & Toasty
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Warm & Toasty to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Note: Normally you wouldn't steep a green tea this long, but this blend doesn't have a lot of green tea. Here, you want a longer steep to bring out those other ingredients. 5+ minutes brings out the cinnamon, liquorice root, and anise.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
Wise Sherpa
HOT
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Wise Sherpa to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour slightly below boiling water (90˚C/195˚F) over your leaves.
3. Steep for 4-5 minutes.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
ICED
1. Follow all of the HOT steps but use 2 tbsp. of Wise Sherpa.
2. Pour over ice.
Zest For Life
1. Add 1 tbsp. of Zest For Life to your Firebelly Tea Strainer.
2. Pour warm water (75˚C/170˚F) over your leaves.
Note: Don’t pour boiling water over green tea, or it will come out bitter. Let the water cool a bit before pouring.
3. Steep for 2-3 minutes.
Note: To get the best taste, opt for a shorter steep. All the caffeine and flavor you need will come through in the first few minutes. A longer steep will leave you with a bitter flavor.
4. Remove your strainer and enjoy the perfect cup.
Steep perfect hot or iced tea on-the-go with no mess
