Where to Buy: Squeezmo
Product Description:
Squeezmo™ is the modern solution to an old problem: soggy, drippy, unsightly tea bags.
Rather than allowing a mucky brown tea bag to spoil that nice saucer or throw it away after a single use, place a bag of your favorite variety in Squeezmo, press and pour the excess back into the cup.
There’s no waste and no mess. Now, one tea bag can brew multiple cups.
Product Review:
I was apprehensive about reviewing this product, mostly because I prefer to drink loose leaf tea as opposed to tea brewed from tea bags. In addition, the flexible Squeezmo looks and feels a lot like plastic and I don’t generally like to use plastic items when brewing tea. However, it isn’t plastic, it’s silicone. Although to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t really tell you what the difference between silicone and plastic is (or even if there IS a difference).
Additionally, I am not particularly fond of tea gadgets, I prefer to keep it as simple as possible. Generally, I don’t see the use of gadgetry to add to the simplicity of tea; rather, I see it as added complication.
BUT… this gadget is an exception! Yes, despite my original misgivings about this device and my reservations about gadgets, I am finding this particular gadget – the Squeezmo – to be quite useful, helpful and enhancing to the pleasure of a simple cup of tea! Who’dathunkit?
On the occasions when I brew tea from a teabag (I’d estimate that I brew 1 teabag every other day, with loose leaf tea filling in the rest of my daily tea consumption), I do not squeeze the teabag. I know that tea drinkers are somewhat divided on this issue: some choose to give their teabags a squeeze in an effort to extract all the liquid and additional flavor from the teabag, while others (and I) believe that in so doing, additional tannins are also extracted and bitterness can result.
So, even though I’ve now this nifty gadget that promotes the squeezing of the teabag, I don’t use it for that purpose. What I do use it for is placement of the teabag after I’ve finished steeping my tea. That’s always been a troublesome issue for me. I can’t toss it directly into the garbage because it’s hot and it is likely to melt the trash bag … and what a mess that would be. So, it ends up being placed on a saucer or in a bowl, making more mess in my kitchen (which really doesn’t NEED more mess). Not to mention the mess that is made from the trail of tea drips from cup to aforementioned saucer. Mess, mess, mess.
But this flexible, bright orange Squeezmo helps me with the mess! I can place my hot teabag into the Squeezmo without dripping tea all over my counter and without having an unsightly teabag on a saucer or bowl. After the teabag cools, I simply drop it into the trashcan and empty the additional tea that’s accumulated at the bottom of the Squeezmo into my teacup.
This is a no mess, no fuss kind of gadget that I don’t mind using!
Smart Tea Maker from Enjoying Tea
Where to Buy: Enjoying Tea
Company Description:
An excellent tea maker that is practical and simple to use. Made of durable food grade plastic. Stainless steel filter included. Dishwasher Safe. Approx capacity: 600ml (20.4 fl oz).
Basic Instructions
- Place tea leaves in the Smart Tea Maker.
- Add boiling water.
- Steep tea to your taste.
- Place the Smart Tea Maker on top of a cup or mug and let the tea drain into the cup.
- Remove the Smart Tea Maker to stop the flow. Your tea is ready to serve.
Product Review:
I drink a lot of tea (you may have already noticed this about me!) And when I drink my tea (all day, every day!) I like to do so out of a rather large mug (16 – 18 ounces!)
What I don’t like to do is use a lot of gadgets when I make my tea. For me, when it comes to tea, the fewer gadgets and the simpler the preparation… the better! I just want to have a full mug of tea without having to drag out all my fancy gadgets. I just want my tea!
This Smart Tea Maker from Enjoying Tea understands this! It is the perfect size to fill my mug – and all I have to do is add the right amount of tea to the chamber, pour in the hot water (or boiling water, depending upon what type of tea I’m brewing), and let it steep for the correct amount of time. When the tea is finished steeping, I just sit the Smart Tea Maker on top of my mug and the tea drains into my mug – strained and ready to enjoy!
No additional strainer necessary or other fancy gadgets necessary. Just my favorite mug, my electric tea kettle, tea leaves, a timer and this Smart Tea Maker.
The only thing that would make this Smart Tea Maker any simpler would be if it actually heated the water for me and had a built in timer… but then… it would probably cost a bit more. As it is, you can get this amazing device at the unbelievable price of just $12.98 (on sale, it is regularly priced at $14.98 which is still quite reasonable in my opinion!)
I love this Smart Tea Maker!