A tea infuser is any type of device which holds loose tea leaves while brewing, allowing them to expand and steep in the water. There are many tea infuser designs ranging from tong-like tea spoons to infuser cups. In all cases, the tea infuser should only be partially filled, so that the leaves will be able to fully expand. It is also important to follow brewing directions for tea, so that you do not end up with a bitter cup of tea.
The most classic tea infuser is a tea egg or tea ball. These tea infusers are spherical or ovoid, and have two halves which are fastened together. A chain is typically attached to the tea infuser so that it can be pulled out of the cup when the tea is ready. Some tea balls are made from fine mesh, so that no tea leaf sediment escapes. Others are made with larger holes, and need to be used with a tea strainer to drain small pieces of tea leaf out. Many markets and tea supply stores have an assortment of tea eggs and balls, sometimes in fanciful decorative shapes.
Infuser cups are also very popular, and easy to use. Typically, an infuser cup has three parts: the body of the cup, the infuser, and the lid. The tea infuser is made from ceramic, and designed to fit inside the cup. Placing the lid on the tea while it steeps enhances the flavor, and the lid can be taken off and inverted so that the tea infuser can be placed on it after the tea is brewed. Asian specialty stores often carry infuser cups, usually with decorative painted patterns out the outside. You can also obtain infuser tea pots, which work on the same principle, but make multiple cups of tea.
When brewing green tea in a tea infuser, you want water which is slightly below boiling, and you should steep for around three minutes. The easiest way to accomplish this is to pull the kettle off the heat right before it boils, or allow it to boil and then rest. Black tea can be brewed with boiling water for approximately five minutes. Herbal teas also appreciate slightly cooler water, and can be brewed for 15-20 minutes, depending on the ingredients. If the tea uses bark and roots, you may want to pull the tea infuser out sooner, as these teas can become bitter when they are oversteeped.