Do you enjoy the quality and taste of loose leaf tea but find the preparation and cleanup to be a hassle? Do you enjoy the luxury and richness of your own favorite tea at home, but then find yourself settling for bland saw-dust like tea-bags at the office or on the go?

If so, Melitta Tea Filters allow you to make your own teabags that are portable and disposable without sacrificing the richness and flavor of an evenly brewed cup of quality tea.

The filters are 7”x3” long and come packaged in a flat recycled paper-board box that contains 40 filters. The paper is unbleached and does not contain metal staples etc. that would otherwise affect the taste of the tea. Those wanting to enjoy tea at work can easily keep a box and tin in a desk drawer or simply prepare numerous bags ahead of time, keeping them sealed in an airtight container.

Tea for Two?
The filters have a generous capacity and wide mouthed opening, making them suitable for brewing cups as well as pots of tea. Unlike other paper filters that require a bit of coaxing, even when working with tiny teaspoons, you can easily dump heaping spoonfuls into the Melitta tea filter using everyday kitchen spoons. After filling, the tail of the filter hangs over the edge of the container, making it quick and easy to grab and remove like a stringed bag.

Tea for the face?
Because the packets are so roomy and easy to use, the filters may also be of interest to those who brew herbs for beauty, medicinal, or aromatherapy purposes. For example you can turn any kitchen pot into a facial steam by brewing a filter full of chamomile flowers and breathing in the tension taming vapors. Once the mixture is cooled, the satchel can be re-used as a soothing eye treatment while the flower-free water becomes a conditioning rinse.

Specialty Teas
These filters are especially well-suited for Mate, Roobis and other fine leaf teas whose particles and sediment would otherwise escape or clog a traditional glass or metal filter. As I type this, I am enjoying a warm cup of cloud–free Yerba Mate that would normally turn into a swampy, twiggy mess if prepared in my otherwise exceptional Zylindro personal teapot glass.

Paper Problems
Because the filters are paper, a problem you might encounter is the water wicking to the top of the filter (and onto your table) if the bags are left to steep for a very long time. This will generally not be experienced by those who follow normal brewing instructions and remove their filters after the usual 3-5 minutes, but may be encountered by those who like to overbrew their teas or those who leave their tea bags in the cup, waiting for a second brew. The best way to deal with this is to fold the filter over the edge of the glass, then fold it again, so that the tail of the filter is pointing up, preventing any leaking. Although I have thus far been fortunate, the Melitta tea filters may not be suitable for travel mugs with screw on caps, as there is always the possibility that the friction will tear the wet paper. For best results, do as I say not as I do ;)

Cost and Availability
Averaging around $3.00 for a box of 40 filters, the Melitta tea filters may not be the cheapest option as compared to say buying a larger box of another brand, but are probably the most commonly available. Because of the brand dominance, you are more likely to find them in grocery and big-box stores that also carry their coffee filters and appliances. Unless you are buying in bulk, the prices will generally even out when you factor in the shipping costs of less widely available products. The best value option will be based on your individual drinking habits and availability.

The Melitta Tea filters are recommended for anyone who enjoys the superior taste and quality of loose leaf tea but also wants the convenience and easy cleanup of a tea-bag. It is also a great starting point for those who may have heard about the health benefits of drinking tea but have been intimidated by the cost or complexity of other brewing options.

www.melitta.com

Additional Tea Accessories
Bodum Ibis Electric Water Kettle
Bodum Travel Press

Recommended: Yes