Strainer
Definition
A small mesh or perforated filter used to catch loose leaves and fine particles as tea is poured from a teapot or pitcher into the cup. Sizes and mesh densities vary by tea style.
Why it matters
Strainers come in many forms, from simple stainless steel mesh cones to elegant bamboo or ceramic filters fitted over the gongfu pitcher. Their primary job is to keep leaf fragments out of the cup, especially when brewing with fine teas like fukamushi sencha, broken-leaf black teas, or CTC. Mesh density matters. A coarse mesh is appropriate for whole-leaf oolongs and pu-erh, where mainly stray fragments need catching, while finer mesh or paired filter inserts are better for fukamushi sencha and CTC, which release large amounts of fine particulate. Some Japanese kyusu teapots include a built-in ceramic or mesh strainer at the spout, removing the need for a separate device. When brewing very fine tea like matcha (whisked) or fully powdered teas, strainers are not used at all because the goal is to suspend the leaf in the water rather than filter it out.