Tea leaves without tannins, which can steep indefinitely, can be placed directly into the glass jug. When you insert the filter, the leaves can remain in the jug while you pour. If the tea is only allowed to steep for a limited time, the tea leaves can instead be placed in the filter. Once the tea has steeped sufficiently, press down the plunger and serve – neither the tea leaves nor the filter need to be removed. The tea maker is drip-free and features a flip-top lid that automatically opens when pouring.