If You Love Loose-Leaf Tea, You Need This One Essential Kitchen Tool

Some tea drinkers might opt for the convenience of single-use teabags, but real tea lovers know that the most flavorful and fragrant teas come in the form of loose-leaf tea buds. In order to properly brew a pot or a single cup of loose-leaf tea, you'll need a mesh tea infuser or strainer to catch the leaves as the tea steeps. The most standard tea infusers tend to be stainless steel mesh or silicone and can easily be popped into a single mug of tea or teapot, but there are tons of fun and cute options.

Here are 12 top-rated tea infusers to making your next cup of tea feel much more ritualistic and cozy.