Top Ten Gift Ideas for the Tea Aficionado

When Your Friends Say No to Coffee, What Do You Do?

They are your weird friends, the ones that say no to coffee. The ones that avoid caffeine and always carry a mug with them wherever they go. Their stovetop always has a hot kettle of water. Try these gift ideas and they may hug you in delight.

1. Teapot with matching cups, tea kettle

No one teapot is enough. Stores sell teapots that hold one cup, two cups, clear up to ten cups. They come in shapes and styles that range from comic characters, floral fantasies, contain niche hobby designs or that will work well as floral vases. Matching cups and saucers, if the style demands them, are also handy. But think round. Your tea drinker wants something that fits in the cup of one’s hands like a hand warmer as well as a dainty concoction with a handle two small to fit your little finger.

2. Strainers and whisks

This is where true tea drinking art comes in. Tea must steep otherwise it gets too acrid. Strainers to remove tea dregs range from refillable balls that hook on the side of your teapot, to ones that exactly fit your teacup. Powdered teas require a whisk to beat the tea into a froth of hot water. Since strainers are annoying to clean, several are always welcome at the tea drinker’s home. Welcome, unless you like to dump the dregs in your saucer for fortune telling.

3. Cozies, hand mitts and potholders

Tea cozies are used to keep a pot of tea warm. Again, the art of cozy making allows a fantasy of styles, not only can they be conspicuous, but they can stand out as art on their own. Many are sold with matching hand mitts and potholders. Either match your teapot, or contrast with it. Make a statement. Alternatively, an electric or battery powered warming trivet will make your tea last for an afternoon. Be sure to filter out the tea if you do.

4. Teas