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Lipton puts a little string on theirs with a paper tag at the end for easy removal. You should look into it, since a floating teabag probably won't steep properly. |
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looking at your name gave me an idea, add a suction
pad (sucker) with miniscule holes in it.
Stick the sucker to the bottom of the mug and add hot
water ...
The heat will make the holes larger thereby removing
the vacuum and allowing the teabag to float to
the top.
Good idea. have a kwassont. |
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I was going to say the same thing phoe but then I thought that a little buoy (thats B-U-O-Y) attached to your teabag might be quite dinky. |
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[phoenix] I am aware of the "bag on a string" solution. However in my experience there is a significant failure rate, where the string and the teabag become detached, resulting again in scalded fingers. I do agree that the bag will have to be allowed to sink initially so it can steep - hence the thought of a dissolving capsule (or pjd's suction pad). This would have the added benefit of making sure your cup of tea is perfect every time. |
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But the idea of a red and white buoy (with a bell?) floating on my cup of tea does appeal... |
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[pjd]'s idea has some merit. A teabag that starts on the bottom and floats to the top after steeping is not only practical for fingers, it lets you know for certain when it's time to take the tea bag out. On the other hand, if your suctionpad malfunctions and the teabag remains stuck, you will either burn your fingers very badly or be forced to hunt for a spoon, which is apparently the very thing to avoid. |
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// I am aware of the "bag on a string" solution. However in my experience there is a significant failure rate // |
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Yes, and a more complex solution will have a lower failure rate, I'm sure. |
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I've never had a string fail. You must be using defective bags. |
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After the suction cup releases, it should surface with enough velocity to jump entirely out of the tea so you catch it, or bat it away with the back or your hand. |
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I find that those pyramid teabags, if opened out before hot water is added, tend to emerge with a pointy bit sticking out of the water which can be successfully grabbed for removal. Obviously the success rate isn't high enough as it stands but perhaps it's a place to start with designing a new bag. |
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On the other hand, at work I have standard, square Yorkshire Tea tea bags and I find that if I pour the water from the kettle from a bit of a height, air is incorporated into the bag, causing it to float to the top of the mug. |
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As a (rather clumsy and absent minded) research chemist I have scalded my fingers on hot glassware so often (glassware at 200 degC looks the same as glassware at room temp) that my fingertips are pretty hardy and hot tea holds no fear anymore as long as I'm quick - but I think this idea would be a way to avoid showering the lab with tea as I fling the teabag in the direction of the bin + |
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[k_sra] - not everyone likes their tea to steep for the same length of time so there can't be a defintive time to take the bag out |
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re: the red/white buoy - you can find quite small red and white bobbers among the fishing tackle. Go to the store and get a fresh one, don't just steal it from a mate's tackle box. |
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a little floaty shark fin. |
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Instead of trying to re-invent the tea bag, why not look at other, more economical solutions?
If there are no clean spoons available at the office, bring one of your own from home and keep it at your desk.
Afraid it might get pinched? Go to a second-hand store and buy a bunch of spoons then hide them in different drawers, nooks, and crannies in and around your desk.
Can't be bothered looking after your own spoon(s)? Go to your local office supply store where you can buy a yourself a box 1000 stir sticks ($3USD @ Office Depot) or 500 plastic spoons ($5USD).
Use a pencil or small plastic ruler to fish out the tea bag.
Pour your hot tea from one cup to another, swatting the spent teabag from the stream of falling liquid with a small tennis racquet.
Steep the tea bag in half the water you normally use, making it easier to extract from the cup, then fill 'er up with hot water. |
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Of course, one question does come to mind. How do you stir in your sweetener and whitener if your have no spoon? |
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Just purchased a second mug and a miniature tennis racquet. Thanks for the suggestion [Canuck]. |
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The buoy gave me an idea - get a little fishing pole, complete with reel and hook. Combine the pleasure of tea with a sport that many find quite relaxing. |
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//How do you stir in your sweetener and whitener if your have no spoon?// |
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I guess you'll just have to drink your chamomile black, [Canuck]. |
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I find [AO]'s solution very elegant, except for the red blister that will form on the back of your hand after a very few days. |
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And the brown spot that would soon form on the wall. |
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