Tea

Monarch Methods Gooseneck Kettle

I’m starting to think my fondness for gooseneck kettles is turning into full-blown addiction—and I’m okay with it. The Canadian-made Monarch Methods pour over kettle is among the more unique ones I’ve seen, with its copper construction and handle-less design. You grip it by the tanned harness leather insulator rather than an external handle, giving you better control over the pour. The…

Fino Pour Over Kettle

We love a good kettle here at Tools & Toys—particularly the gooseneck variety—and this stainless steel Fino Pour Over Kettle fits the bill nicely. Nothing fancy about it really, just quality Japanese design and craftsmanship. I like that it’s so compact compared to other kettles. My only quibble is that it doesn’t whistle when the water’s boiling, but the lid does bobble…

Takahiro Gooseneck Kettle

When it comes to kettles, you’ll have to pry the Bonavita variable temp gooseneck out of my cold, dead hands—but I must admit, this Japanese-imported Takahiro kettle has a certain classic appeal to it. While the Bonavita is the more convenient option to be sure, the Takahiro’s simpler design aesthetic is far more pleasing to the eye. The Takahiro kettle is $92…

The Bonavita Variable-Temp Gooseneck Kettle is Cheaper Than Ever

The Bonavita variable-temp gooseneck kettle is one of our favorite coffee tools here at T&T, and one of the more popular items we’ve ever written about. If you still haven’t made the jump though, you should know that it’s now more affordable than ever, currently (as of 7/7/14) priced at $63 on Amazon, down from $90. We don’t know if this is…

Bonavita Variable Temp Gooseneck Kettle

We’ve mentioned the standard Bonavita Gooseneck Kettle ($42) before, but the kinds of coffee nerds who experiment with AeroPress recipes are likely to want very precise temperature control. And that’s exactly what the Bonavita Variable Temperature model ($90) brings to the mix. It rocks the same 1-liter stainless steel design and distinct spout that allows for greater pour control, with the addition…

Teas, Etc. 3-Piece Travel Mug Set

Now that the weather had cooled off here in the South, I’m back to drinking loose leaf tea throughout the day. While my particular setup isn’t for sale anymore, this 3-Piece Travel Mug Set is very similar. The Double-walled, BPA-free plastic mug keeps tea warm, and the removable, screw-on stainless steel strainer keeps loose tea in bottle, and out of the way.…

Breville One-Touch Tea Maker

Not all teas are brewed the same way. Different types of tea (green, black, white, etc.) require different water temperatures and extraction times in order to brew just right. The Breville One-Touch Tea Maker takes all the guess work out of tea brewing. It is fully programmable for all types of tea, water temperatures, and steep times; it has a moving tea…

Teastick Infuser for Loose Leaf Tea

After I posted the Tèo I received many emails about the no-nos of using teas that come in tea bags. One fine reader pointed out this Teastick Infuser that is great for brewing single cups of loose leaf tea with easy cleanup. The Teastick is made out of stainless steel and is designed so you can scoop the loose leaf tea, slide…

The Tèo – A Spoon for Tea Bags

How many years have we been forced to wrap the string of our Celestial Seasonings tea bag around our spoon and draw it tight to wring out the last of the tea? Or how many times have we used our fingers and suffered the heat of a tea bag just pulled out of steeping hot water? Well, my friends, no more. The…

Breville Electric Kettle

We boil water at least 3 or 4 times a day. Anna for her tea in the morning, me for my coffee, me again perhaps for my afternoon tea, and then the two of once more in the evening for our after-dinner tea or decaf coffee. In our kitchen have a similar version of this Breville that is made by Hamilton Beach,…

Tea Infuser with Lid

My parents are hard and fast tea drinkers. And, despite my obvious and outspoken affinity for a good cup of coffee, I too am a regular tea drinker. In fact, I probably drink at least as much tea as I do coffee. This tea infuser from Forlife is great for several reasons: (a) it’s big enough to hold plenty of loose-leaf tea…