For the Love of Loose-Leaf

Between loose-leaf tea and the bagged variety, there’s no comparison. Because the whole leaves are used, a cup of loose-leaf tea is more flavourful and may even be healthier. Bags are mostly made up of leaf by-products, or “fannings.” Yet when you need tea on the go, you're likely to settle for a tea bag.

While studying in Beijing, Manhattan-born Christopher Beresford noticed the prevalence of portable filter teacups. He thought the product should be introduced to the North American market. So in early 2006, the young entrepreneur developed the Tigo Filter Cup, a transparent portable cup with a rotating filter, making it a cinch to have loose-leaf tea when you’re on the run. Though it’s very convenient, it’s also ground-breaking. The plastic contains no polycarbonates, for starters; however, the most popular feature is the see-through cup itself. “People can watch the leaves swirl around,” boasts Beresford. He also created an insulating sleeve that keeps your tea hot while protecting your hand from burning.

This certainly makes it easier for the jet set to sample fine brews in England, Japan or India, where tea is practically ubiquitous. “My favourite is green Longjing from China,” Beresford admits, adding, “I drink a lot of tea.”

Order a cup directly at tigofiltercup.com or through the Canadian distributor, Lee-Middleton Gourmet Tea in Oakville, Ontario.