bltd

If you like loose leaf tea, here’s the cup for you. This teacup has tilted base with an inbuilt and removable strainer; brewing your tea simply involves tilting the cup away from the leaves when it has reached the correct strength. Available in Pure Black or Snow White.

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Can you live without your electric coffee maker? Yes, you can; say it out loud, ‘yes, I can.’ Now repeat that in your head until you believe it. If the Faro Mug Set didn’t convince you, maybe this Unplugged Coffee Maker from Koziol will. All you need is a filter, ground coffee, and hot water. And your cup, of course. Less technology can be a good thing.
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If you’re fond of bright colors and tea time, take a look at this set from Jansen+Co. There’s three different color options for the teapots and eight options for the XL mug, so you’ll have to do some deciding as to what combination works best for you. All pieces are hand finished and dishwasher and microwave safe.
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Do you have a proper sugar and creamer set? Not the end of the world if you don’t, of course, but it’s something to consider if you use sugar and cream/milk consistently in your coffee or tea. It lends an air of civility, sure, but there’s something about enjoying the small pleasures and ceremonies of daily life and taking care to surround yourself with things that are both useful and, in some cases, also beautiful. (“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” William Morris)
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No filter bag needed for this coffee maker. The Cafino has a double stainless steel mesh sieve that fits into a heat resistant borosilicate glass cylinder. Simply place your ground coffee beans into the sieve, pour boiled water, and voilà, you have coffee. It’s quite similar to the metal Kone Coffee Filter used with the Chemex Coffeemaker, yet in a more familiar coffee press silhouette.
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Need an upgrade your tea ritual? The ceramic Nomu teapot has a removable cork sleeve that has two functions- it keeps your hands comfortable while pouring and it keeps your tea hot. There’s a potential third bullet point, of elegance; it certainly doesn’t hurt that there’s a distinct nod to Japanese craft and tradition. Two cups are included.

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If you’re crazy about tea, as in crazy enough to want a specific travel thermos with an inbuilt stainless steel infuser, then you’ll go bonkers over this glass and bamboo version. It’s double-paned, of course, to keep your fingers protected and your tea hot or cold, depending on your preference. And, speaking as a crazy tea person, there is something nice about glass carafe rather than stainless steel- just don’t go knocking it about like it’s unbreakable.
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Hmm, what do we have here? It’s a tea sieve that doubles as a stirrer once your tea is brewed. While this does seem handy as it negates the need for a spoon, one wonders how difficult it might be to clean. (If you decide to purchase it, please share.)

“Fill the sieve with your favorite loose leaf tea, brew and then push down to close the vents.”

Designer: Carl Mertens
Material: Stainless Steel Satin Finish
Dimensions: 6.7″l x .6″dia

Now, if you like tea, you know a tea kettle is quite important. I’ve had an Uplift kettle before*, and liked the way the spout opens automatically when lifting the handle (hence, the name ‘uplift’), but this 10th anniversary version takes the cake with its cork handles. Cork insulates well, and provides a soft, nonslip grip, which makes it an ideal choice. And, it works nicely in conjunction with the stainless steel, of course. It’s a winner.

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There’s always time for tea, especially when you have a tea service like this one from Muuto. It’s a little whimsical in its large proportions, of course, so there’s no surprise that the designer (Jonas Wagell) was inspired by fairy tales. So, say goodbye to stuffy traditional sets and shout hello to friendly shapes and handles. Tea time should be enjoyable, after all.

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Cyber monday, blah, blah, blah. I’m sure you’re busy clicking on all the deals flooding your inbox, and the best of luck to you. While you do that, some older posts will get some much needed updates here on BLTD, with current links and prices.

If I drank coffee, I’d make it out of this coffeemaker; there’s something awfully nice about the simplicity of no buttons or blinking lights. Made out of an hourglass-shaped glass flask, this coffeemaker was invented by a chemist, and therefore brews coffee by a chemically correct method. All that’s needed is coffee, hot water, and a separate Chemex bonded filter (sold separately).

Dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Set of 100 filters sold separately.
Designer: Peter Schlumbohm, 1941
Size: 9.5h x 6″diam.

(Originally posted Aug 27, 2009.)

No need to share your opinion with these cups; just hand over the appropriate one to your companion and they’ll know exactly what you think of them. Or not. Handpainted by Polly George’s father, they’re not cheap, but they sure are fun. (By the way, if you’re in London or planning to visit soon, I suggest stopping by Luna & Curious, as it’s a nice little shop.)

Choose between: Minger, Scrounger, Friend, Foe, Nosey Neighbour, Weirdo

After moving out to the Northwest it didn’t take long to notice that people take their coffee pretty seriously out here, and I’m not talking about Starbucks or Seattle’s Best. A welcoming local cafe is always a stone’s throw away, catering to both the casual coffee drinker and as well as patrons of the most distinguised taste. In Portland, one of the most unique cafes I have come across is Coava in the Central Eastside district. Sharing a space with a bamboo plywood showroom, the interior is industrial chic (fancy enjoying your coffee at a tablesaw?) yet is warmed by a large, welcoming bamboo counter and of course the lingering aroma of coffee beans. Serving coffee via a Chemex pour-over brewer is their first choice for a rich tasting cup, however co-owner Keith Gehrke saw the single-use paper filters to be quite wasteful. Instead of just dealing with it he decided to design his own filter, called the Kone… (more…)

This coffee scoop also functions as a bag sealer, which means less ‘stuff’ required to make your morning drink and maybe even a few seconds saved in the process. Designed by Teemu Karhunen, the Kupu is made in Finland with birch plywood.

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Camera-geek joy, indeed. This mug looks just like a 24-105mm lens. Buy several and call it a day, because this would be just about the best gift (ever) for anyone who likes photography. A lens-cap lid and rubber-grip focus and zoom rings completes the picture.

Plastic mug with stainless steel lining.
Holds 16oz of liquid
3.3″ diameter, 4″ tall
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