If you're new to loose leaf tea, you only need a few essentials: a good tea infuser or infuser mug, a teapot or brewing mug, and a cup. A fine mesh infuser allows tea leaves enough room to fully expand, producing better flavour than most tea bags. If you enjoy different styles of tea, adding a tea timer and a temperature-controlled kettle can help you achieve consistently great results.

The best teaware material depends on how you enjoy your tea.

• Glass teaware is ideal for flowering teas, green teas and herbal infusions because you can watch the leaves unfurl while brewing.
  
• Ceramic teaware offers excellent heat retention and is a versatile choice for almost every type of tea, from black tea to oolong.
• Cast iron teapots retain heat well but are heavier and require more care than glass or ceramic teapots. Most are enamel-lined for brewing rather than boiling water. For everyday use, ceramic or glass teapots are often a lighter, more versatile choice.

Each material offers a different brewing experience, but all can produce excellent tea when used correctly.

The best infuser is one that gives tea leaves plenty of room to expand. Fine mesh basket infusers are generally the best choice because they allow full flavour extraction while preventing small leaves from escaping into your cup. Avoid small tea balls whenever possible, as they restrict the leaves and can reduce the quality of the brew.

Rinse your teaware with warm water after each use and allow it to dry completely before storing. Wash ceramic and glass teaware with mild washing-up liquid when needed, avoiding abrasive scourers that may scratch the surface. For cast iron teapots, rinse with warm water only, dry thoroughly and never leave water sitting inside, as this can encourage rust on exposed metal. Regular cleaning helps preserve both flavour and the lifespan of your teaware.

Different teas benefit from different brewing vessels.

• Green tea: Glass or porcelain teapots and infuser mugs allow delicate flavours to shine.
• Black tea: Ceramic teapots retain heat well for a full-bodied brew.
• Oolong tea: Small ceramic or porcelain teapots help highlight the tea's complex aromas.
• White tea: Glass or porcelain preserves the tea's subtle character.
• Herbal and fruit infusions: Glass teapots showcase vibrant colours while providing an enjoyable brewing experience.

Ultimately, the best teaware is the one you'll enjoy using regularly. Good-quality loose leaf tea and correct brewing temperature have a greater impact on flavour than the material alone.