You can make great tea at home using a ceramic teapot or mug, loose-leaf tea, a tea infuser, plus an insulated teapot and cup cover.

1. Use fresh water and a glass teakettle or electric pot to heat it to a boil.

2. Use an infuser basket (any of several types) to hold the tea while brewing. Place one tablespoon of loose tea in your infuser for each 8-ounce cup of tea.

3. Pour water just off the boil over the infuser and into the pot: 8 ounces of water per cup.

4. Set timer for at least 3 minutes but follow the tea company’s recommendations whenever possible. Earl Gray, for example, takes 4-5 minutes to bring out the Bergamot infusion.

5. While brewing, keep tea at hottest temperature by covering it with a Koffee Kompanions Tea Tabard™ teapot cozy—designed with premium Thinsulate™ insulation for better heat retention and a curved bottom to make the cozy hug flat surfaces. It's designed with a different high-quality fabric on each side.

6. Remove the infuser and place the lid back on your teapot. Keep your Tabard teapot cover on the pot to maintain best temperature for up to an hour.

7. Use the Tabard as a hot pad to hold the teapot and pour your “cuppa”; then let the teapot cozy settle right down over the pot to keep it hot.

8.  If you prefer to brew your loose tea one cup or mug at a time, use a single-cup infuser to hold the leaves and follow the same directions for amount of tea and water per 8 ounces. These infusers come in several types that rest on top of, or drop into, the cup.

9. While brewing tea in your cup or sipping it with your favorite snack, use a Koffee Kompanions cup cover to maintain its temperature for delicious flavor. These Kup Kaps™ are designed with premium Thinsulate™ insulation and food-safe vinyl to seal in the heat.