Swissgold TF 200 Tea Ball

by Frieling

Product Features

• 24 Karat gold-plated foil filter is neutral and won't alter the taste
• Precisely defined openings hold back unwanted residue while letting the flavor carriers through
• Non-absorbent gold-plated foil does not absorb flavors
• Smooth gold-plated foil is easy to clean, dishwasher safe
• It eliminates waste.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 3 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FQ7KLG
• Item model number: G4931
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,204 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #52 in Home & Kitchen > Kitchen & Dining > Coffee, Tea & Espresso > Tea Accessories > Tea Strainers > Tea Ball Strainers

Product Description

Serious tea aficionados understand the need for a serious, permanent filter system. The true magic is the 24 Karat gold-plated, scientifically engineered foil filter. The precisely designed openings of the SwissGold® permanent filter hold back only the unwanted solids, while allowing the desirable flavor carriers to pass through for a perfect cup every time. The TF 200 is larger than most tea balls or tea eggs, the tea leaves steep to full flavor inside. The tea ball is easy to use in a mug, cup or tea pot.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still looking for the perfect tea infuser, April 27, 2007

By 

Cheyenne Ann "Ann" (CHEYENNE, WY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swissgold TF 200 Tea Ball (Kitchen)

This one is part of my daily use implements, even though it has a couple of flaws:

It looks dirty. I have cleaned it after every use, and even popped it in the top rack of the dishwasher, but it is stained. The gold mesh looks dirty. Doesn't affect how it works, just bugs me.

Unfortunately, my favorite loose teas, Twinings English and Irish Breakfast, are pretty fine. This strainer does the best job so far in keeping the leaves out of my cup, but some still end up there. This is a flaw in every strainer I have used so far. Pouring boiling water over the ball makes it worse. I find that filling the cup or pot with boiling water and then immersing the strainer helps. Now, understand, I never went to the British school of brewing real tea--just switched to loose teas this past year, so maybe I am doing something wrong.

I wasn't paying attention a couple times and did not make sure the top was secured and ended up with leaves everywhere. It's not difficult to get it right, but darned easy to do it wrong.

It's also super easy to drop the chain into the teapot. The hook is good for nothing--too small to grab anything. So hang on to the chain or you'll end up with a bitter brew by the time you get to your second cup.

I also don't care for the plastic parts. I try to avoid plastic eating and drinking utensils.

I am using this one every day for now. Still on the hunt for the perfect infuser.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for other spices, too, August 28, 2007

By 

Nanciejeanne "Enjay" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swissgold TF 200 Tea Ball (Kitchen)

I just bought this (in addition to loose tea) for adding whole mulling spices to warmed cider, mulled wine, chutneys, and cranberry sauces. Most tea balls are not big enough for a pot of cider.

Further, the main reason I picked this model was because most tea balls I have seen open in the middle which makes loading a couple tablespoons of tea/spices a real pain (fill each half and try to get the 2 together quickly without spilling too much). Also emptying the darned things...pull apart and watch the used tea/spices fly! This has a nice little lid. (P.S. Williams Sonoma has really nice whole mulling spices (so you don't have to buy all the ingredients separately yourself...try it!)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good product, May 29, 2007

By 

B. Richardson (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swissgold TF 200 Tea Ball (Kitchen)

I am very satisfied with the SwissGold Tea infuser. It is very easy to clean, and I like the fact that it does not let tiny particles into the brew.

I have recommended this to various tea-loving friends, and the one who has tried it loves it also.