Vintage aluminum acorn shaped tea strainer A tea strainer is a type of strainer that is placed over or in a teacup to catch loose tea leaves. When tea is brewed in the traditional manner in a teapot, the tea leaves are not contained in teabags; rather, they are freely suspended in the water. As the leaves themselves are not consumed with the tea, it is usual to filter them out with a tea strainer. Strainers usually fit into the top of the cup to catch the leaves as the tea is poured. apx 2.25 tall Vintage Aluminum Metal Tea Spice Steeper Strainer