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How a tea mug differs from a coffee mug
Tea wants a slightly different vessel than coffee, mainly because of temperature and time. Black tea brews at boiling and then needs to drop to a drinkable temperature; green tea wants water well below boiling and suffers if the mug holds too much heat. A moderately thin-walled mug with a wider mouth cools tea to drinking temperature faster, which is why tea cups are traditionally shallower than coffee mugs.
Capacity matters for brewing strength. Most tea bags are dosed for around 8 oz. Put one in a 15 oz mug and you get weak, slightly bitter tea, because people compensate by steeping longer, which extracts tannins rather than flavor. If you like a big mug of tea, use two bags or a proper measure of loose leaf rather than a longer steep.
If you use loose leaf, look at the mug opening before you buy an infuser. Most basket infusers need a mouth of at least 8 cm to sit properly, and a narrow tapered mug will not take one. Glass mugs are popular for tea for a good reason: watching leaves unfurl is half the appeal of loose leaf, and it also shows you when the brew is strong enough.
Tea mug questions, answered
What size mug is best for tea?
Around 8 to 12 oz. One tea bag is dosed for roughly 8 oz, so larger mugs need two bags or a full measure of loose leaf to avoid weak tea.
Will an infuser basket fit my mug?
Most basket infusers need an opening of at least 8 cm. Narrow or heavily tapered mugs will not take one — check the rim diameter listed on the product page.
Can I use a tea mug for coffee?
Of course, though wider tea mugs lose heat faster. If you drink coffee slowly, a taller mug with thicker walls suits you better.
Why does tea stain mugs more than coffee?
Tea is high in tannins, which bind readily to ceramic surfaces, especially matte glazes. Rinsing straight after drinking prevents nearly all of it.
How do I remove tea stains from a mug?
Baking soda paste rubbed around the interior removes set-in tannin stains. Avoid abrasive scourers, which scratch the glaze and make future staining worse.
Are glass mugs good for tea?
Very. You can see the brew strength and watch loose leaf unfurl. Choose borosilicate glass so it tolerates boiling water without thermal shock.