TEA STRAINERS

Tea strainers are used to catch the loose leaves when you pour out the tea.

According to Wikipedia:

When tea is brewed in the traditional manner in a teapot, the tea leaves are not contained in teabags, but rather are freely suspended in the water. As the leaves themselves may be distasteful, 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.Tea strainer use declined in the 20th century with mass production of the tea bag, but is still preferred among connoisseurs who prefer loose leaf.

Tea strainers are usually either sterling silver, stainless steel, or china. Strainers often come in a set, with the strainer part and a small saucer for it to sit in between cups.