Adagio

So, normally, I am a huge fan of Adagio, the on-line tea company. Their teas are sent out quickly, are of good quality, and they make samples available for a reasonable price. I also like the way they foster the tea community with things like TeaChat (forums), TeaChef (cooking contests), and TeaMap (teahouse locater).

But, my IngenuiTEA is really breaking my heart. This morning, new strainer in place, I pour my hot water in, and all the leaves float up...along with the strainer. Sighing heavily, I grab another basket-type strainer and strain it through that into my thermos...but if I was going to mess with that, I never would have shelled out the twenty bucks for the IngenuiTEA.

I wrote to Adagio as soon as I got the chance, and they reminded me that it was past the 30 day warranty, but luckily had it on record that I'd been having problems before that period was up, so hopefully they will send me a replacement. At this point, it seems like it's not the strainer, but the teamaker itself.

Since they use them regularly at the Whole Foods I frequent, I'm thinking that I just got a defective one. But all the same, it's a huge pain and not worth it for the cleaning convenience of the removable strainer. Teavana's Perfect Teamaker has a permanent strainer, and if you stay on top of keeping it clean, there is no need to remove the strainer. (They also make an Easy Tea Steeper with a removable strainer). All in all, I am extremely disappointed.

(From left to right: Adagio's IngenuiTEA, Teavana's Easy Tea Steeper, Teavana's Perfect Teamaker)