The most common complaint that I hear from people about loose leaf tea is that they don’t have the time to deal with all of that fuss. I’m here to tell you that is simply not the case. In between my full time job, the two hour commute each way, spending time with my boyfriend and family, leading a Girl Scout troop and all of life’s other surprises, I still find the time to drink several cups of good tea daily (as well as run this blog). A little bit of preparation and the right tools can go a long way. Here is a bit about my daily tea routine.

Morning:

I am definitely not a morning person but the travel tumbler is my best friend. Every night before bed I set everything up for the next day, basically doing everything except for adding the water. I wake up at 6:30am every morning and while I’m still in the shower my Breville One-Touch Tea Maker comes to life. The automatic setting on that baby is a godsend. The water is usually done being heated just as I get out of the bathroom. I pour the water and use a simple sand timer to make sure that I don’t oversteep. My travel tumbler features an infuser basket combined with a French press so I don’t need to remove the leaves. All I have to do is depress the plunger and run out the door.

Afternoon:

My energy will start to lag in the mid-afternoon which means that it’s time for another cup of tea. I will usually either resteep the leaves in my travel tumbler or make a new cup in a gravity teapot. I keep this handy device and a sturdy mug at my desk at all times. Originally my office was not very tea friendly but I brought an old electric kettle in from home and that made things a lot easier. Not everyone has a desk job but I still managed to drink lots of tea when working retail, even if it meant teabags made with water heated by the Kuerig.

Evening:

The tea time that I look forward to the most is when I finally get home from work. Dinner is pretty late in my house so that gives me time for a quick gongfu session. My gaiwan is frequently the weapon of choice since it’s the easiest to clean. After dinner I’ll brew up a cup of tea using my favorite mug and an infuser basket. For some people caffeine will prevent sleep but I’m able to drink a very strong cup before bed without suffering any ill affects.

And there you have it. I easily have many cups of tea a day despite having a very busy lifestyle. How do you fit tea into your daily routine? I’d love to hear about it!

Speaking of working tea into your daily life, check out my mention in this Huffington Post article by Owl’s Brew founder Jenny Ripps: 9 Ways to Incorporate Tea Into Your Day.