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A steep basket is a kitchen tool used to brew tea and add flavor to soups, sauces, and other foods. It is available in different styles and materials, including metal and polymer, and can be matched to specific cups. The basket is filled with tea or herbs and hot water is poured over it to steep. It is also used to flavor soups and stews. The basket should be washed with warm water and mild soap before storage.
A steep basket is a kitchen tool that is used to brew tea and add flavor to soups, sauces, and other foods. There are several styles of steeping baskets available, and most kitchen supply stores offer a couple of options for people who need them. It is also possible to order infusion baskets from a variety of manufacturers; specialty tea companies are a good source to start with.
A basic brew basket is a basket designed to fit over a cup. The device typically has a rigid flared opening, so that it rests on top of a cup, rather than sliding into it. The basket is made of mesh: Some infusion baskets are made with a fine metal mesh, while others are polymer baskets made of plastic. In all cases, the mesh allows the flavor to escape without carrying over bits of tea or herbs. A handle can be included to allow for easy handling of the infusion basket.
Some companies make brew baskets that match specific cups. Many Chinese potteries, for example, make clay infusion baskets that match their teacups. The teacup may also come with a lid to keep liquids warm while they steep. In other cases, a steep basket is made in a generic size so that it fits a large assortment of dishes.
To use the device, the basket is filled with tea, herbs or other desired flavorings and placed in a cup. Hot water is poured over the brew basket to steep the aroma and the basket is removed when it has been sufficiently soaked. The steep baskets are ideal for loose leaf tea, as their wide construction allows the tea leaves to float freely, fully opening up and flavoring the cup of tea. Some cooks also use steeping baskets to flavor soups and stews, either by steeping them in a separate cup or bowl and adding the contents of the bowl to the food, or by pouring hot water through a steeping basket directly into the cooking dish.
Both metal filters and polymer baskets have advantages and disadvantages. The polymer tends to stain and pick up flavors, which can be undesirable when working with delicate teas. Metal, on the other hand, can become hot when left in a teacup, causing considerable pain for the unwary consumer trying to dig out a metal brew basket. In either case, an infusion basket should be washed with warm water and mild soap and allowed to dry completely before being placed away for storage.
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