The Very Best Free-Foliage Tea Strainers for Hassle-Free of charge Tea Time

Loose-Leaf Tea and Listening: Brewing for a Biber Evening

The title of this post promises tea strainers, and there is a real connection to Biber listening. A long Baroque programme, such as all fifteen Mystery (Rosary) Sonatas with their closing Passacaglia for solo violin, runs well over two hours. Many listeners like to settle in with a pot of loose-leaf tea. A good strainer means you can refill your cup between sonatas without fishing leaves out of it, and keep your attention on the music.

What to look for in a strainer

• Fine mesh: Stainless steel mesh with small holes catches broken leaves and the dust from rooibos or green tea. It is easy to rinse and it lasts for years.
• Room to expand: Leaves need space to unfurl. A basket infuser that sits inside the mug or teapot usually gives a fuller flavour than a small tea ball.
• A lid or drip tray: You can lift the infuser out and set it down without leaving drips across your liner notes or score.
• Easy cleaning: Wide openings and dishwasher-safe materials make a nightly habit less of a chore.

Matching the brew to the music

Biber worked in Salzburg in the late seventeenth century. His music moves between intimate violin writing and large ceremonial pieces. You can let the tea follow the mood:

• A delicate green or white tea for the quieter sonatas.
• A robust black tea for the brilliant, multi-choir sacred works associated with Salzburg Cathedral.
• A caffeine-free herbal blend for late-night listening to the Passacaglia.

Follow the steeping times on the tea packet, and take the strainer out once the tea is ready so it does not turn bitter while you listen.

Planning your listening session

To choose a programme, browse our recordings page for interpretations worth hearing in full. Our overview of Biber's works explains scordatura, the retuning of the violin strings that gives each Mystery Sonata its own colour. It is something to listen for while your next cup steeps.