brewing tea at work

[kimpossible]

Can anyone recommend a, wait for it, manly tea mug? Yes, the mug must be manly as I have been informed the one I bought was "gay" and therefore will not be used. Putting aside useless practical facts like mugs don't have sexual orientation, I think that translates into steely Swedish minimalism or gadget coolness.

So, here's what I'm looking for.

*Mug with brew basket inside. Most of you will know exactly what I mean and you probably have used one at one time if not now.
*Has a top
*Prefer not to have cheap plastic inside that gives off odors and flavors with heat.
*Prefer stainless steel, probably Japanese make.
*Trying to avoid breakable ceramic.

Trying to avoid the separate tea pot and small ceramic cup. We have a ton of those and they're not ready to withstand little boys. Eliminating ceramic and floral designs cuts out most of the ones I've looked over at the stores. Ideally, this is something I can order online.

If you also have a novel way of making your tea at your work desk, please share. Especially if it's minimal and discourages people from playing/touching a tea pot and cup. Also, do you have a small, discreet and personal size water heater you would vouch for?

[deez nuts]

Drink scotch from a thermos at work. Also leave a stick of Old Spice deodorant in the desk drawer. MANLY!

[SunWuKong]

do you have a picture of the gay tea cup? i just got a cheap one that i bought either in HK or in Chinatown. but i don't know if it's gay or manly. it's just a pretty standard brew basket cup with a top. the outside body of the cup is decorated with a brush painting of some goldfish. that's probably gay, huh?

oh i just read you're trying to avoid ceramic. mine is either ceramic or some imitation ceramic. anyway, i like my cup, i only wish it was bigger.

wouldn't stainless steel make the cup hot? but i guess not with a handle made of rubber or plastic.

[rice cracker]

You could try Starbucks, they have some pretty fancy drinking vessels from time to time. I saw a to-go coffee cup that had a french press inside. Um, not describing it very well, but it was cool. Here is the link: http://www.starbucksstore.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=602814

Here's a gadgety tea mug thing: http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/accessories/96bb/

[Adaon]

Or Peets.

http://www.peets.com/shop/gifts_detail.asp?id=1555&cid=3004

[eos]

the first half of the page is kinda girly but scroll down and you will see more manly ones.

http://www.teatreasures.com/page/Tea-Supplies/CTGY/Tea-Mug

[AngryABCGirl]

Here's a gadgety tea mug thing: http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/accessories/96bb/

I think I'm in love.

[thaite]

I do not have an answer, but that was pretty damn funny.

[monkeygone2]

i use a double-wall stainless infuser mug, which i guess qualifies as swedish minimalism.
the manufacturer upgraded my model, but it should still have the stainless steel interior. you should email them to be sure.
http://www.teahaven.com/product1.htm

the clear gadget mug looks cool, but note that many clear mugs stain after a year of use, which is normal.

for some reason, all cordless kettles get mixed consumer reviews- from great, to non-functioning after a year.
high-end cordless electric kettles from Bodum and Krups get mixed reviews and they cost $40-60.
search any high-end cordless kettle and you’ll find consumers saying their’s stopped working after a year.
i used a Back To Basics Cocoa-Latte Express $19.00 as a PERSONAL (no sharing) desktop kettle and it’s fine (i figured if it goes kaput after a year, the price isn’t too bad). it totally sucks for cocoa/latte (do not use it for this purpose) but it’s a good inexpensive cordless kettle. a little noisy though, because the frother is always on. (again, i’ve read some consumers saying their’s stopped working after a year but mine's tip top.)

[Broomer]

Mate, I just use a Chinese tea cup with the lid. You know, the tallish one with with your Chiinese horoscope on it.

Ka

[kimpossible]

for some reason, all cordless kettles get mixed consumer reviews- from great, to non-functioning after a year.
high-end cordless electric kettles from Bodum and Krups get mixed reviews and they cost $40-60.
search any high-end cordless kettle and you’ll find consumers saying their’s stopped working after a year.
i used a Back To Basics Cocoa-Latte Express $19.00 as a PERSONAL (no sharing) desktop kettle and it’s fine (i figured if it goes kaput after a year, the price isn’t too bad). it totally sucks for cocoa/latte (do not use it for this purpose) but it’s a good inexpensive cordless kettle. a little noisy though, because the frother is always on. (again, i’ve read some consumers saying their’s stopped working after a year but mine's tip top.)

Yeah, I'm looking at cordless kettles right now. The Back to Basics is perfect for defining personal use. Originally I had set aside a Zojirushi water heater but it takes up too much desk real estate. There was a new Tefal UK heater I was conspiring to get but the reviews were a lot less than stellar. Then there was a Brita one that filtered as well as boiled but it's also not available in USA.

I was also checking out that metal cup. That one's definitely in the top two right now with the other being a Swiss SIGG. Double plus manliness.

[Sunflare]

Lipton. Teabag. Coffeemug. Water. Microwave. End of story.

[monkeygone2]

Originally I had set aside a Zojirushi water heater but it takes up too much desk real estate.

well, the Zojirushi models are kinda big, especially the ones that hold up to 5-liters... which is kinda overkill, unless it's intended to be a (small) office water pot.
i like the idea of having filtering/dechlorinating w/ those high end models...
Zojirushi has a 2-liter boiler you might like. just make sure the pot dispenser matches w/ your chosen mug (design/size). and avoid Zojirushi's floral design shit.

[contra_diction]

and avoid Zojirushi's floral design shit.

but that's what i like about zojirushi, that and the cool little elephant.

[monkeygone2]

^ i like the elephant logo, too.

just make sure the pot dispenser matches w/ your chosen mug (design/size).
btw, i meant: if you choose an extremely elongated mug, make sure it fits under the pot dispenser.

[applehead]

i use a double-wall stainless infuser mug, which i guess qualifies as swedish minimalism.
the manufacturer upgraded my model, but it should still have the stainless steel interior. you should email them to be sure.
http://www.teahaven.com/product1.htm

the clear gadget mug looks cool, but note that many clear mugs stain after a year of use, which is normal.

for some reason, all cordless kettles get mixed consumer reviews- from great, to non-functioning after a year.
high-end cordless electric kettles from Bodum and Krups get mixed reviews and they cost $40-60.
search any high-end cordless kettle and you’ll find consumers saying their’s stopped working after a year.
i used a Back To Basics Cocoa-Latte Express $19.00 as a PERSONAL (no sharing) desktop kettle and it’s fine (i figured if it goes kaput after a year, the price isn’t too bad). it totally sucks for cocoa/latte (do not use it for this purpose) but it’s a good inexpensive cordless kettle. a little noisy though, because the frother is always on. (again, i’ve read some consumers saying their’s stopped working after a year but mine's tip top.)


oh gosh. you must really love tea.

[AngryABCGirl]

i use a double-wall stainless infuser mug, which i guess qualifies as swedish minimalism.
the manufacturer upgraded my model, but it should still have the stainless steel interior. you should email them to be sure.
http://www.teahaven.com/product1.htm

I had a cup EXACTLY like this in Taiwan. But it only cost be about three bucks US tops. 20 bucks, damn got served.

[monkeygone2]

I had a cup EXACTLY like this in Taiwan. But it only cost be about three bucks US tops. 20 bucks, damn got served.

lol you forgot the shipping.

[CARDINAL009]

I found one in Oakland C/T for less than $9

[kimpossible]

Supreme tea manliness achieved. Behold the Blomus Teastick! Wonder at its Germany steel goodness!

http://www.cooking.com.edgesuite.net/images/products/shprodde/114781.jpg
Scratch your head in confusion as to whether it looks more like a:

a) microplane or rasp
b) painful, yet stylish, dildo
c) kickass weedpipe


Onto the manly teamaking. For $16 (free ship with super saver) my husband may now enjoy packing his stick until it can hold no more, then grip its steely shaft to plunge into a waiting cylinder of hot wetness and stroke it up and down until he releases a satisfying amount of Taiwanese tastiness.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dnI0Kxu2L._AA280_.jpg

Wouldn't that stick be that much more awesome with two steel tea ball steepers next to it?

[SunWuKong]

how much was it?

[kimpossible]

For $16 (free ship with super saver)

sixteen. just like the sweetest of girls.

edit: you know, i wish i could get together with a couple of you and we could import tea sets, advertise on StuffWhitePeopleLike and make bucketloads of munny.

[Sunflare]

http://www.cooking.com.edgesuite.net/images/products/shprodde/114781.jpg
Scratch your head in confusion as to whether it looks more like a:

a) microplane or rasp
b) painful, yet stylish, dildo
c) kickass weedpipe


c) Looks like a kick ass weedpipe. Even the tea in it looks like good old skunk weed for a good fucking high.

[tommyhtown]

Onto the manly teamaking. For $16 (free ship with super saver) my husband may now enjoy packing his stick until it can hold no more, then grip its steely shaft to plunge into a waiting cylinder of hot wetness and stroke it up and down until he releases a satisfying amount of Taiwanese tastiness.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dnI0Kxu2L._AA280_.jpg

Wouldn't that stick be that much more awesome with two steel tea ball steepers next to it?

That's hot and sexy. "I am getting hot in here , so hot. It makes me wants to take my clothes off..."

[deez nuts]

sixteen. just like the sweetest of girls.


Amen!

[AngryABCGirl]

Wow, good thing I didn't buy the adagio teapot was holding out. I'm so getting this stick. edit: hmm it'd be difficult for oolong tea leaves to expand in this, but great for small pieces of sencha.

sixteen. just like the sweetest of girls.

edit: you know, i wish i could get together with a couple of you and we could import tea sets, advertise on StuffWhitePeopleLike and make bucketloads of munny.

Ha I'd be so down for that considering how much disposable income I spend on tea and tea accessories. Any other goodies?

http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-80-6100GN-Tea-Infuser-Green/dp/B000G30EG6/ref=pd_sbs_k_title_9

Not manly, but perhaps better suited for my oolongs:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31W93T0KCTL._SS400_.jpg

[AngryABCGirl]

http://www.teahouse.com.hk/product/details/piaoicup.htm

I got one of those at my local chinese sundry store for only 9 bucks, a nice ten bucks off the Adagio one, but this even comes with a serving vase-thinger:

http://www.teahouse.com.hk/product/details/pic2/cup/piaoicup/piaoicup_gl865.jpg

I'm gonna be the coolest person at work now. har har har

[CBC guy]

Can anyone recommend a, wait for it, manly tea mug? Yes, the mug must be manly as I have been informed the one I bought was "gay" and therefore will not be used. Putting aside useless practical facts like mugs don't have sexual orientation, I think that translates into steely Swedish minimalism or gadget coolness.

So, here's what I'm looking for.

*Mug with brew basket inside. Most of you will know exactly what I mean and you probably have used one at one time if not now.
*Has a top
*Prefer not to have cheap plastic inside that gives off odors and flavors with heat.
*Prefer stainless steel, probably Japanese make.
*Trying to avoid breakable ceramic.

Trying to avoid the separate tea pot and small ceramic cup. We have a ton of those and they're not ready to withstand little boys. Eliminating ceramic and floral designs cuts out most of the ones I've looked over at the stores. Ideally, this is something I can order online.

If you also have a novel way of making your tea at your work desk, please share. Especially if it's minimal and discourages people from playing/touching a tea pot and cup. Also, do you have a small, discreet and personal size water heater you would vouch for?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

You're a girl... you're immune from the "gay" charge. :biggrin:

Well, you got a nice tea server/whatever thingie there... I think my dad has one of those.

Looks like a medieval mace haha

[eos]

the free coffee at work is killing me. gotta switch to tea.

this was in last week's "time":Serious tea drinkers have always known that the perfect cup comes from loose leaves. Traditional tea bags may offer tidiness and convenience, but the taste is often lacking. The thickness of the bag means the tea inside must be ground until it is little more than dust, and when wet, the bag collapses onto itself, preventing the water from circulating through the leaves enough for a proper brew. But as interest in tea-drinking rises--U.S. tea sales have quadrupled in the past 10 years and are expected to grow from $6 billion in 2005 to $10 billion by 2010--tea-steeping innovations combining the best of both worlds (the flavor of leaf tea and the ease of a bag) are coming onto the market, changing the look and taste of a tea break.

http://www.petittea.com/sites/petittea/uploads/Copy%20(2)%20of%20cup_stick_2-1.jpghttp://www.teaforte.com/images/389x307/475.jpg

[Sunflare]

^ Wow. Tea brewing gone high tech. Cool.

[sageb1]

This caffeine mug is oh-so-not gay: http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/mugs/2a01/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/front/lg-caffeine-mug.jpg

time for some Tun Ting Oolong!

BTW what about one of these cute Vietnamese coffee makers?

http://chinese--food.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/cookwarecoffeemaker.shtml?L+scstore+clxm1661+12075 27816

http://chinese--food.com/scstore/images/cookware-coffeefilter-onecup-withcup_100.gif

[artsfartsyjanet]

interesting. I fell into the mass marketing of teavana's Steeper. You put the tea leaves in it first, add boiling water, let it sit for a few minutes, set it on top of a cup and watch it drain into the mug.

http://www.teavana.com/images/catalog/268-191/C-70688.jpg
A more expensive one looks like this.
http://www.teavana.com/images/catalog/268-191/53619.jpg

I haven't brought it to work, but I bet it'll catch people's attention. Everyone there drinks coffee only.

[AngryABCGirl]

^
You can buy something similar to Teavana's steeper at a Chinese store for less than half the price. Every time I go into one of these teashops catered for the mainstream, all their damn stuff is so expensive when I know I could get it for less than half the price and even at the same quality at a Chinese shop. I haven't been too impressed with Teavana's tea and the fact you can't sample before you buy, but I pretty much only drink Chinese tea, with the exception of black or earl grey milk tea that I only buy teabags for.