Accessible Mugs Can Be Helpful

Swelling, strength, mobility issues with fingers or hands–among other things–can make it very helpful to have a mug that works for your body and circumstances.

This T Handle mug is the third type of mug that I’m reviewing for accessibility on the blog. I bought it, paying retail price, from The Wright Stuff.

T Handle Mug Specs

• Volume: If you fill it reasonably below the top, it holds 12 ounces (340 grams) of liquid. If you fill it to the very brim, it holds about 15 ounces. But, for obvious reasons, 12 or less is recommended.
• Size: 4.5″ (114mm) tall, 3.75″(92mm) diameter
• Weight: 12.15 ounces (344 grams) empty. Adding 12 ounces of water brings the total weight up to about 1.5 pounds (685 grams).
• Materials: Porcelain. I could only find the mug in this size and in the color white.
• Care instructions: Listed as dishwasher and microwave safe.
• Microwaving Results: When I microwaved water from cool to boiling in my microwave–stopping as soon as the water boiled–parts of the mug’s handle registered 145F with my laser thermometer. So, please exercise caution if you microwave it. Carefully determine whether the handle is a safe temperature to hold before you grab it.

Review of User Experiences

The T Handle mug looks like a classic white mug, except for the unusual T-shaped handle. When I first tried it, I wasn’t sure what to think. But, with a little experimenting, I appreciated the T-shaped handle. Still, I personally prefer a regular mug handle.

With the concerns that my loved one has–finger swelling and grip/strength issues–my biggest concern with this mug, like with the CURVD mug I reviewed, was the weight. The T-Handle mug weighs about the same–just slightly less–than the CURVD mug.

My relative liked the look of the T Handle mug and, to my surprise, was very enthusiastic about the handle. She liked the control it gave her when she slid her fingers around it and was able to place her thumb on top of the handle. She remarked that she loves mugs this size, but that the weight is a downside for her.

After we try out this mug for a few months, I’ll update the review if we have any new insights or perspectives.

If you have any experience with this kind of mug, or other suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comments.

Check out other posts on the blog about accessibility and tea:

• Why Tea Bags Stay in My Cupboard
• Accessible Mug Review: CURVD
• Handwarmer Mug: Accessibility Review

The post T Handle Mug Review appeared first on Tea Infusiast.

I’m still searching for and trying out mugs for accessibility. A family member who has issues with hand-swelling and soreness inspired this quest. I reviewed the CURVD wide-handled mug about a month ago.

This review is of the ceramic Handwarmer Mug from Neher Pottery. I would like to emphasize that the company was not advertising this mug as accessible. In their description on Etsy, they emphasized the “Handwarmer Mugs are designed with an ergonomic pocket so you can wrap your fingers in comforting warmth while you enjoy your favorite beverage.”

In my photos, you can see the mug’s “pocket” into which you can slide your dominant hand. (My family member and I are both left-handed. So, I bought a left-handed version.)

I thought this mug might be more comfortable than a regular mug for the issues my relative has. So, I ordered one for us to try.

Handwarmer Mug Specs

I bought the mug on Etsy. It was regularly priced $24 and on sale for $19.20 at the time I bought it in December 2025.

• Volume: If you fill it reasonably below the top, it holds 16 ounces (450 grams) of liquid.
• Size: 5″ (12.7 cm) tall, diameter about 3.75″ (9.5cm).
• Weight: 1lb. 1 ounce (480 grams) empty. Adding 16 ounces of tea or brings the total weight up to about 2 pounds (918 grams).
• Materials: Stoneware/ceramics, listed as “lead-free.” I chose the “Mystic Water” glaze. At the time I am writing this, this mug is available in 6 other glaze colors on the Neher Pottery shop on Etsy. When I found their Clay in Motion website, I saw they have this handwarmer mug available in over 20 different glazes!
• Care instructions: Listed as dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and ovenproof.

My Thoughts on This Mug

I immediately loved this mug. The vibrant glaze is fun. I also really like being able to wrap my hand around a mug like this, sliding my left hand into the “pocket.” (Again, it’s also available in a right-handed version.) As long as the mug isn’t too hot, to me it’s very cozy and comforting to hold. You’ll want to be careful though–without a handle to give you some distance from the hot liquid, it wouldn’t be safe to hold right after pouring boiling liquid in.

I also immediately suspected that this mug wouldn’t be great for the specific physical challenge that my relative has with her hands. The pocket is fun, but I could only slide my fingers in about up to the knuckle closest to my fingernails. So, if you couldn’t grip around the mug well, that pocket probably isn’t going to help keep the mug steady.

The handwarmer mug is also slightly heavier than the previous CURVD mug that I previously reviewed. I already knew that the weight was the one downside my relative reported about that CURVD mug, even she uses it often and prefers it to her other, regular mugs.

User’s Reaction and Bottom Line

As I suspected, the pocket wasn’t wide or deep enough for my relative’s swollen hands. She held it, went to put her fingers in the pocket and immediately said it wouldn’t work. I know the weight would have also been an issue since it’s heavier than the previous mug.

I’d like to conclude this mug review by declaring that for me, this mug is lovely and feels great to hold…if you don’t have swollen and weakened fingers. So, my hope that it might be accessible–even though it wasn’t advertised that way–didn’t pan out. On the other hand, I gained a beautiful new mug that I enjoy to use to warm my hands and sip tea.

So far, the CURVD mug (the white mug with the wide handle in the nearby photo) is the most accessible for my relative, but not perfect for her needs. I’ll keep searching for the perfect accessible mug for her!

If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comments.

Check out other posts on my blog about accessibility and tea:

• Why Tea Bags Stay in My Cupboard
• Accessible Mug Review: CURVD
• T Handle Mug Review

The post Handwarmer Mug: Accessibility Review appeared first on Tea Infusiast.

An Accessible Mug Can Be Helpful

Someone I love mentioned to me that they sometimes have a hard time holding mugs due to swelling and mobility issues with their hands. They said it can be very uncomfortable holding a regular mug–they can’t get their fingers comfortably through regular-sized handles. So, that makes it hard for them to avoid spilling hot tea or coffee. Not a pleasant experience for them, to say the least.

This relative’s challenge sent me on a mission to find an accessible mug that could work better for them. After reading about many different options, I bought (for full price–this post is NOT sponsored) the CURVD® 12 ounce “Ergonomic Coffee Mug,” featuring a “large handle for comfortable grip.” It’s time to review this accessible mug.

CURVD Mug Specs

• Volume: If you fill it reasonably below the top, it holds 12 ounces (340 grams) of liquid. If you filled it to the very brim, it would hold 15 ounces. But, for obvious reasons, 12 is recommended.
• Size: 4.2″ (105mm) tall, 3.3″(85mm) diameter
• Weight: 15.6 ounces (442 grams) empty. Adding 12 ounces of tea or coffee adds about 12.5 ounces. When containing 12 ounces of liquid, that brings the total weight up to about 1.75 pounds (794 grams).
• Materials: Ceramic. The company claims: “No Cadmium & No Lead Used in the Ceramic.” Although I chose their white mug, the CURVD website has other colors. At the time I am writing this, it is also available in blue, pink, green, and (in the 18 oz size) black.
• Care instructions and Microwaving: Listed as dishwasher and microwave safe, the manufacturer claims the handle is “heat-resistant” when microwaving. I found this to be true when I tested it at home in my microwave. Although I tested it by bringing water to a boil in the mug, I didn’t keep the microwave running after that. So, please exercise caution and carefully test this for yourself.

My Thoughts on This Mug

I like the design and sleek appearance of the glaze of the white CURVD mug I ordered. I enjoyed wrapping my hands around the mug, my fingers through the wide handle.

I was worried this mug would be too heavy. If a mug is too light, however, I read that it can be easier for some folks to knock over. Interestingly, CURVD claims that “[u]nlike traditional mugs, this ergonomic design evenly distributes the weight of your beverage, reducing strain on your joints and muscles. ” So, I wondered how my family member would feel about the weight of this mug.

User’s Experience

No accessible mug review would be complete without the end user’s experience. Here’s what she shared after about a month of using the mug.

My relative liked the look of the mug. She also appreciated that although the handle stays cool, the mug is good at keeping liquid hotter for longer than the more delicate mugs she otherwise uses.

She liked how her fingers could fit more easily through the handle of this accessible mug.

The downside, she said, is the weight. It’s as I expected. If her hands are really bothering her, the mug is uncomfortably heavy. So, she finds she’s using it on days when her hands aren’t at their worst. She enjoys using it on those days. Her spouse actually likes the mug, too!

[UPDATE 12/12/25: My relative actually said she find herself using this mug any time her hands get more swollen or sore. Although it’s not perfect (the weight), she said it’s better than any other mug she has. She said by holding one hand underneath the mug and sliding her other hand through the wide handle, it’s very comfortable to use. She even asked me to update the blog! So, I did.]

Bottom Line for This Accessible Mug

This mug may or may not work for folks looking for an accessible mug. It depends on the kind of hand/strength and other physical issues involved. On days with more inflammation and sensitivity, my loved one was very conscious of the weight of this mug. But, still found it more accessible than the others she has in her cupboard.

Finding the right accessible fit takes some trial and error. If weight isn’t an issue, this mug is well worth trying.

The wide handle is plus in many situations. A wider range of folks can slide their fingers through it and around the mug. Happily, the handle also stays cool (in our experience) while your hot beverage stays hot.

Although she wants to keep the CURVD mug, I’ll keep looking for an accessible mug that my loved one can use on the days when her hands are flaring up. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comments.

Check out other posts on my blog about accessibility and tea:

• Why Tea Bags Stay in My Cupboard
• Handwarmer Mug: Accessibility Review
• T Handle Mug Review

The post Accessible Mug Review: CURVD appeared first on Tea Infusiast.

Once I started using loose leaf tea, I fell in love with it.

I rarely used tea bags for many years thereafter, even though some tea bags have very high quality tea (despite what some tea lovers will tell you). I never looked down my nose at tea bags. I did, however, appreciate the beauty of the whole tea leaves that I more often found in loose leaf. I also loved being able to admire the leaves and the aroma more clearly without the barrier of a sachet between the tea and me. And, the ritual of preparing loose leaf tea is typically a joy for me.

I’d often have some of my extended family members’ favorite tea bags on hand. Occasionally, I would buy tea in sachets for travel days–packing loose leaf for our destination. But, I didn’t think much about making sure to have tea bags in my cupboard. I think very differently now.

As I’ve written about before, there are pros and cons of loose leaf and tea bags. Making loose leaf tea takes more steps and more physical exertion. You need to reach for, carry, and manipulate more teaware–a teapot, cup, possibly a strainer, maybe a scale to measure the leaves. And, there are more things to clean up after. As a usually able-bodied person, the difference doesn’t typically have much impact on me. What’s more: I usually find the extra time well worth the effort. Still, there are times when the extra work can be a barrier to enjoying tea.

For example, last year I had my appendix removed. The first week after surgery was much more difficult than I imagined. My husband and my daughter took excellent care of me. But, after a few days, they had to work (albeit my husband worked from home for a while stay close during those early days) or go to school. Although they would have made me loose leaf tea had I asked, they were juggling meetings, deadlines, bus schedules, etc. I didn’t want to ask them to make me loose leaf tea.

After surgery (and for several weeks thereafter), it was really painful to change positions, walk, and reach for things. I really wanted to spend time with my dear friend tea. Having tea bags in my cupboard made it easier for my family to make me tea those first few days and then for me to make it for myself the next few weeks. Without this option, tea would not have been accessible to me.

It doesn’t take surgery to impair our strength! And, you can’t always foresee when you might become impaired. For example, the flu, or a bad cold can strike without warning, too. As folks who have chronic conditions or occasional physical flares ups know, anything that makes things easier can be a godsend.

I now make sure that some tea bags stay in my cupboard. A number of companies, I’m happy to report, offer their high quality teas as loose leaf or in sachets. For example, I have *really* enjoyed the sachets from Té Company and Den’s Tea. (They specialize in Taiwanese and Japanese tea, respectively.)* If you are a loose leaf afficionado like I am, you might want to consider keeping some tea bags on hand, too.

*This post is NOT sponsored. I’m simply sharing my experience with companies that have tea bags that I love to keep handy.

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Most Americans (and Brits!) prepare tea using tea bags (or tea sachets), not loose leaf tea. It was definitely in this category growing up.

Habit vs. Exploration

As I got into drinking and exploring a wider range of teas, I switched to primarily steeping loose-leaf tea. I usually couldn’t get the kinds of tea that I wanted to try in tea bags. And, for teas where I could buy grocery store sachets or loose leaf at a tea shop, I noticed the loose leaf teas were usually different. The tea leaves were bigger and more intact. The tea steeped more gradually. I could notice a greater range of flavors. For a while, I started to assume that loose leaf teas were always higher quality. But, now I know better. 

Quality is a Complex Issue

While it’s still true that the tea from the camellia sinensis plant (tea with caffeine, not herbal teas) sold in most U.S. groceries stores aren’t usually the highest grades of tea, it’s a much more complicated story. For example, I may want a brisk and hearty cup of tea made with fannings if I want a tea that infuses quickly and has a robust flavor that won’t be lost after I add milk. Or, I may just love a brisk cup of tea. I firmly believe THE BEST tea is the tea that speaks to your heart (and taste buds). 

Importantly, some tea companies now sell a wider range of teas in sachets, including some with larger, more in-tact leaves (which isn’t always a plus for every kind of tea, by the way) that make it easier to customize how you steep them. Some tea companies sell some of the same loose leaf teas in sachets. These observations have me reflecting on some of the advantages tea bags vs. loose leaf tea.

Advantages of Each: Tea Bags vs. Loose Leaf Tea

Accessibility of Tea Bags

The question of whether to use tea bags or loose leaf is personal and can turn on any of the advantages raised above (or others). We have to weigh the trade-offs. And, our choices may vary.

One important thing I’d like to underscore is the importance of tea bags for accessibility. Many of the advantages of tea bags spelled out it in the chart above point to how tea bags can be easier to buy, to prepare, and to dispose of.

In other words, tea bags can make tea preparation and clean-up tea easier and, thus, enable more people to enjoy tea. That’s a great thing!

Questions & Follow Up

I’m curious what makes you lean toward tea bags vs. loose leaf tea. You’ll notice the list in the chart above is numbered. I’d love to hear which numbers you tend to value most. Although #2 leads me to keep a tea sachet in my backpack, #6-10 have me more often drinking loose leaf teas.

Thinking about this post has encouraged me to run some experiments that I have been thinking about for a while. I am exploring the question of whether I can taste the sachet material when I prepare tea using tea bags. So, check back on the blog if you’d like to see my results!

Interested in more on this topic? You might enjoy these posts!

Other posts on this topic:

• “How Popular Are Tea Bags?“
• “How to Get Started with Loose Leaf Tea“
• “Companies that Sell Loose Leaf Tea Samples“

Interested in some tea history? Nicole Wilson shared a very interesting post “Who Really Invented the Tea Bag?” on her blog. The answer surprised me!

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