How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea Without an Infuser

No Infuser? No Problem! 5 Easy Ways to Brew Loose Leaf Tea

The world of loose leaf tea opens up so many exciting possibilities once you start playing around with different brewing styles. If you’re new to it, you might be wondering, “How do I brew this stuff without any special tools?”

Good news: you don’t need a fancy tea infuser to enjoy a rich, flavorful cup. In fact, you probably already have a few handy items in your kitchen that’ll do the trick. And for some teas, you don’t need anything at all!

Here are five simple ways to brew loose leaf tea without an infuser:

1. Use a Coffee Filter or Paper Towel

One of the easiest hacks is to grab a coffee filter or even a clean paper towel.
Here’s how to do it:

• Rinse the filter or towel with hot water first—this helps get rid of any papery taste.
• Place it over your cup or mug and add your loose leaf tea.
• Slowly pour hot water over the tea in small circles and let it steep.
• Once it’s ready, toss the filter and sip away!

This method is great when you’re in a pinch and don’t have a strainer around.

2. Use a Kitchen Sieve or Sifter

Got a fine-mesh sieve or sifter? Perfect!

• First, steep the tea leaves in a separate pot or cup.
• Then pour the brewed tea through the sieve into your mug to catch the leaves.
• If your sieve is small enough, you can place it directly over your cup and steep it that way too.

It’s quick, mess-free, and gets the job done beautifully.

Also Read: Do Silicone Tea Infusers Really Work? [Hands-On Test]

3. Brew in a Mason Jar

Mason jars aren’t just for canning—they’re great for tea too!

• Add your loose leaf tea and hot water to the jar.
• Let it steep for a few minutes.
• Loosely close the lid, then (using oven mitts) carefully pour the tea into your cup, holding the leaves back inside the jar.

This method works especially well with bigger tea leaves that tend to settle at the bottom.

4. Make a DIY Infuser with Aluminum Foil

Feeling crafty? Try making your own infuser with aluminum foil:

• Cut a piece of foil and fold it into a square.
• Add your tea to the center, then twist it closed into a little pouch.
• Use a toothpick to poke 8–10 small holes in it.
• Drop the foil pouch in your mug and pour hot water over it.

Just be cautious when taking it out—it’ll be hot!

Also Read: How to Fix a Leaky Teapot Lid

5. Brew Right in Your Cup

Some teas don’t need anything at all—just brew them straight in your cup!
Teas like Sobacha (Buckwheat Tea) and Kuromamecha (Black Soybean Tea) naturally settle at the bottom and are perfect for this method.
Plus, you can nibble on the soaked grains or beans as a light snack before or after sipping. Yum!

Want to Take It Up a Notch?

These DIY methods are great, but if you’re brewing loose leaf tea often, it might be worth investing in a proper infuser. Our Tea Infuser Set makes it easy and elegant—plus it’s reusable and eco-friendly.

Curious why a dedicated infuser might be worth it?