In the cup or in the pot

This thread made me think about how much I spend on tea so I did a quick add up and it is about £200 a year. Is that excessive? It is mainly me who drinks it, OH prefers coffee.

I'm the same as Petallus - it's all a question of time and/or inclination really. I saw a lovely cup and saucer in Sainsbury's yesterday and was sorely tempted to buy it just for me. Resisted though and bought some clothes for DGS instead! Silly me........

I just chuck a bag in a mug, I have tried to make posh tea in a pot and find that it goes cold quicker, I would have to make a tea cosy, also, the extra washing up of pot cups, saucers and spoons make me shudder. If Im visiting anyone I love a 'proper' cup but even my posh friend uses a mug and bag.

I always use loose tea in a teapot and always in a cup.. The old fashioned way. I was once offered tea that had cold water and a tea bag in the mug to be heated in the microwave. I also, at home, drink proper coffee, I loathe instant.

I have at the last count ten teapots and all in use except one which is crazed inside but sentimental and one which is part of a teaset for a dozen people. I like my tea and matching cups or mugs and make it a bit of a ceremony. I don't like tea I love tea.

Teabag straight into my mug here. Just me on my own, and I often go off and do a chore while I'm waiting and quite forget I've made it! So I pop it into the microwave to heat it up when I rediscover it !

If I have a visitor then I use a pot - I have several. I do find the Denby teapot difficult to lift nowadays though.

I visualize others sitting down to a cup of tea, but for me it's something on the go usually. Quick, sweet, strong and hot.

Leaves, pot, bone china cup and saucer. Have a lovely new pot with an infuser inside so no need for a separate strainer. Tea tastes better from bone china!

I am with leaves, teapot, china and strainer and all so much nicer.

Tea pot every time.

Teapots of almost sizes here, from one person up to village hall size. Pretty China one for when we have our ladies tea party. The one person one allows for a couple of top ups.

teabag free house here. Leaf tea only - Twinings - and I have to buy it direct as this part of Scotland seem to only drink really weak tea from bags. It is my little luxury.

I still use tea leaves , much to the amazement of any guests , but they do say I make a lovely cuppa a strainer is essential for guests but I don't bother when we are alone , china mugs are nicer than pottery

Same here, teapot every time as I use a giant mug. Sometimes with a teabag and sometimes with loose tea in a plastic net thingy.

Teapot every time. Just tastes better and makes a second cuppa.

I have a teapot, it lives in the China cabinet! My teabag goes directly into the mug, and if DH is making it, the milk goes in with it before the boiling water. (This is just wrong)! I only use the teapot if we have guests, which doesn't happen very often

Leaves, teapot, China mug and strainer everytime. We have an old 'brown betty' style pot (which is actually dark blue!) for when it's more than me having tea and a 1 person white China pot for when it's only me!

DH isn't quite as fussy sophisticated and will make it in a mug with a bag if he is on his own. I hate the scummy dust that comes with a bag.

I do always just put the teabag in the mug - even if I'm making tea for 2 or 3 people, which is really stupid now I think about it. Especially given that I have 2 teapots .
jings after reading your post I might just make the effort to change my ways. It had never occurred to me that it was this that was staining my cups, but I think you could be right.

Its bag in a mug mostly but I do have a pot and if I've the inclination it does taste better in a pot. My pot is quite large I did wonder the other day if I could us a clean small glass cafetiere to brew just one mug or would if it would taste nasty ..

I loves a nice cup of tea made in a teapot with a milk jug and cup and saucer.

I do this when I have time. The tea seems to taste nicer that way.

Otherwise I do the bag in the mug when I have less time.

I think it's a question of mind over matter

If I'm being lazy the teabag goes in the (large) mug. If I can be bothered I use a teapot. The tea stays hotter and there isn't that unpleasant scum which sometimes forms when the teabag is sitting brewing in the mug.

Putting the teabag in the mug does seem to ruin the mugs over time. I'm sure they stain more. Perhaps there is something in tea that cuts into the glaze.

I have one of those teapots that sits on top of the cup. I was going to Oxfam it as I don't bother with it. Perhaps, on thinking about it, I will give it a try. I can't take tea too strong anymore as it aggravates my health condition.