A different kind of tea fan

Many times on this blog I have referred to "tea fans," but until now I was always referring to people and not objects. Not anymore! Thanks to the thoughtful Ginger in North Carolina, I recently received a box of Frieling's clear water fans or "tea fans" which are used to give you "translucent and aromatic tea."

According to the company, "The Clear Water Fan softens the water, neutralizes its pH value and adds valuable potassium and citrate, resulting in pure taste." Now I have for the past few years used my refrigerator's built-in water filtering system to get the best water for tea-making, and I've liked it just fine. Recently, however, a filter played out and a new one didn't work for some odd reason, so I've been without filtered water and was delighted to receive these clear water fans.

It couldn't have been easier to use: Just place one in the kettle, allow the water to boil and discard the fan. (That's an overhead shot above, looking down into my glass tea kettle where the fan has spread its wings.) I wrapped the string around the handle to keep it from falling into the gas stove's flame, so it was quite easy to pull out the fan -- which didn't drip as I had imagined it would -- and have some good clear water to use for tea. Ginger had also shared some of Republic of Tea's Dream by the Fire Tea, a rooibos blend with cinnamon and vanilla. It was delicious and actually quite sweet tasting (with no sugar added!), and I must say the cup I brewed tasted exceptionally bright and clear. Was it in my head or in my water? I can't say for sure, but I'm certainly glad to know about these clear water fans. (Thanks again, Ginger!)

Update: These are available here from Amazon if anyone is interested. (And Tammy P., to answer your question below see the product description to read more about how these perform their "magic" on the water!)