Tea Forte Kati Cup with Infuser Basket

This is one of the cup's real strengths. The double-walled ceramic construction creates an air gap that insulates the exterior from the hot liquid inside. Reviewers specifically mention that the cup stays comfortable to hold even with boiling water inside. That said, a couple of reviewers with particularly heat-sensitive hands note the ceramic can still feel warm with very hot water — it's insulated, not completely heat-proof. Most people find it perfectly comfortable to hold with both hands.

This is the cup's biggest weakness, honestly. While it feels heavy and well-made, some reviewers report cracking or leaks developing in the double wall after 6 months to a year of regular use. A few others mention chips at the rim or lid. The key seems to be gentle handling — avoid thermal shock (don't pour boiling water into a freezing cold cup), hand wash when possible despite the dishwasher-safe claim, and don't bang it around. With careful use, many owners get years out of it. But it's worth knowing it's not as bulletproof as it looks.

Very fine — this is one of the standout features reviewers mention most. The stainless steel mesh catches even very small tea particles, preventing debris from getting into your brew. This makes it especially good for teas like rooibos, CTC black teas, and finely cut herbals that would slip through coarser infusers. Eight separate reviewers specifically called out the fine mesh as a highlight.

Yes, both the ceramic cup and lid are dishwasher and microwave safe. The stainless steel infuser basket is also dishwasher safe but should not go in the microwave. That said, a couple of reviewers note that the white interior can stain and discolor over time from tea, and standard dishwasher cycles don't always fully remove those stains. A periodic soak with baking soda or a denture cleaning tablet can help keep the interior looking fresh.

It's actually one of the best entry points into loose leaf tea. The design is incredibly simple — add tea to the basket, pour water, steep, remove basket. There's nothing to assemble or figure out, and the large basket gives your tea plenty of room to expand (which matters for flavor). It's forgiving enough that beginners won't mess up their first brews, and the visual appeal makes the whole tea ritual feel special rather than fussy. Several reviewers mention it even works fine with regular tea bags if you want to ease in gradually.

The Kati Cup is actually one of the easiest ways to start brewing loose leaf tea. Here's the process: lift out the stainless steel infuser basket, add a teaspoon or two of loose leaf tea, place it back in the cup, pour hot water, and put the lid on to keep heat in while it steeps. When the tea is ready (usually 3-5 minutes depending on the type), just lift the basket out and rest it on the flipped lid so it doesn't drip everywhere. It even works with regular tea bags if you're not ready to commit to loose leaf yet — reviewers mention it keeps bags from getting lost in the cup.

Most will, yes. The fine mesh strainer handles even tiny-leaf teas cleanly, the large basket gives long-leaf teas room to fully unfurl (which is crucial for flavor extraction), and the lift-out design gives you precise control over steep time. The double-wall construction also helps maintain consistent steeping temperature. Experienced tea drinkers appreciate the quality construction and the functional design. The main caveat is capacity — serious drinkers who want 12+ oz per session may find the effective 8-10 oz a bit limiting.

The Kati Cup isn't really a tumbler — it's a dedicated loose leaf tea steeping cup. The point of this style is all-in-one convenience: you add loose leaf tea directly to the built-in stainless steel infuser basket, pour hot water, steep to your desired strength, then lift out the basket and set it on the inverted lid (which doubles as a drip tray). No separate teapot, no strainer, no mess. It's designed for stationary use at your desk or on your couch, not for travel — the lid doesn't seal, so it will leak if you tip it.

Absolutely, and some reviewers actually prefer it for tea bags. The infuser basket keeps the bag contained and easy to remove, and you don't have to fish around for the string. You can also skip the basket entirely and just steep a tea bag directly in the cup — the Kati Cup works as a regular mug too. It's a nice option if you want to switch between loose leaf and bagged tea depending on your mood or time.

The lid pulls double duty in a clever way. During steeping, it sits on top of the cup to trap heat and keep your water at the right temperature for proper extraction. When steeping is done, you flip it over and it becomes a drip tray for the infuser basket — so you have somewhere clean to set the wet basket without making a mess on your desk. It's a small design detail that reviewers really appreciate in daily use.

Really well, actually. Unlike some infuser designs that pool water and continue over-steeping your tea, the Kati Cup's basket drains quickly when you lift it out. This means your tea stops steeping the moment you remove the basket, giving you better control over strength and preventing bitterness from over-extraction. It's a small detail that makes a real difference if you're particular about your brew.

The ceramic cup and lid are microwave safe, so you can reheat tea that's gone cold. However, you must remove the stainless steel infuser basket first — metal and microwaves don't mix. Reviewers confirm the microwave reheating works well, which is a nice convenience feature that not all ceramic tea cups offer.

It can, especially on the white interior. A couple of reviewers mention discoloration building up over time that doesn't fully come out in the dishwasher. This is pretty normal for any white ceramic that holds tea regularly — tannins are stubborn. Baking soda paste, a Magic Eraser, or denture cleaning tablets are all effective at removing tea stains if the look bothers you. It's a cosmetic issue that doesn't affect the taste of your tea.

Using the Kati Cup is straightforward: remove the infuser basket, add your loose leaf tea (about 1-2 teaspoons), place the basket back in the cup, and pour hot water. Pop the lid on to retain heat during steeping. When your tea is ready, lift the basket out by the handle and set it on the inverted lid, which acts as a drip tray. One tip: hold the cup with both hands rather than by the rim — the double-wall insulation keeps the exterior comfortable, and many reviewers mention the warm-in-the-hands feel is actually part of the enjoyment.

Mostly, though at least one reviewer notes the color or design appeared lighter or slightly different in person compared to the product photos. This is pretty common with online shopping — screen brightness and color calibration vary. The overall design and pattern are accurate, just be aware the specific shade might be a touch different than what you see on screen.

Ceramic is one of the healthiest materials for drinkware — it's non-reactive, BPA-free, and doesn't leach chemicals into hot liquids. The Tea Forte Kati Cup is made from double-walled ceramic, which means your tea stays pure without any metallic or plastic taste. It's also microwave safe (cup and lid, not the stainless steel infuser basket), so you can reheat without worrying about harmful substances leaching into your drink.

Tea Forte is one of the top names specifically in tea drinkware. Their Kati Cup line is well-regarded for combining form and function — you get a genuine brewing tool (fine mesh infuser, double-wall insulation, smart lid design) wrapped in a genuinely beautiful package. Reviewers consistently praise the heavy, sturdy, well-made feel of the cup. Other popular tea-specific drinkware brands include FORLIFE, DAVIDsTEA, and Bodum, but Tea Forte tends to win on aesthetics while holding its own on functionality.

In the tea world, all-in-one steeping cups like the Kati Cup have become hugely popular because they simplify the loose leaf experience. Tea Forte is one of the most recognized brands in this space, known for combining function with striking design. The Chakra pattern on this particular cup is a standout — multiple reviewers call out its beautiful, attractive aesthetics. It's the kind of piece that looks as good on a video call as it does on your kitchen counter.