Bodum 34oz Assam Glass Tea Press with Stainless Steel Filter, Brushed Review (2026)

Who this tea press is for

The Bodum Assam press is built for someone who already brews loose leaf tea and wants precise control over when steeping stops, rather than relying on a tea bag or a separate infuser that has to be lifted and set aside somewhere. At 34oz, the press holds around 1 liter, enough for a small group or a couple of refills for one person over a session. It suits a household that already owns and likes Bodum's French press coffee makers, since the Assam press uses the same plunger mechanism, just adapted for tea leaves instead of coffee grounds. It is not the right pick for someone who wants something unbreakable to toss in a bag or take camping.

Design and how the press works

The body is borosilicate glass, chosen for the same heat resistance and clarity that Bodum uses across its French press coffee makers, paired with a stainless steel filter and plunger mechanism. Brewing works by adding loose leaves and hot water directly to the glass carafe, letting the tea steep loose, then pressing the plunger down to push the leaves to the bottom of the pot, separating them from the liquid without needing to strain or lift out a basket. A silicone rim around the filter is designed to seal firmly against the glass for a clean pour, and it stays cool enough to touch even after the tea inside is hot, which matters when removing the filter for cleaning.

Living with it day to day

Because the plunger presses leaves to the bottom rather than removing them from the pot entirely, the tea keeps steeping slightly even after pressing if left to sit for a long time, similar to how a French press coffee continues to extract slowly after the plunge. Pouring immediately after pressing avoids over-extraction and bitterness building up in the last cup of the pot. The glass carafe is the more fragile part of the press compared with the stainless steel filter and lid, so it deserves the same careful handling given to any glass French press, including avoiding sudden temperature changes and being mindful of impacts on hard countertops or sinks.

Trade-offs and how it compares

Against Bodum's own smaller 17-ounce Assam press, this 34oz version roughly doubles the capacity, better suited to two or more people rather than a single cup. Against the Teabloom Stay-Hot Glass French Press, which adds double-wall insulation to keep tea hot longer after brewing, the Bodum Assam is a simpler single-wall design that cools faster on the counter but is lighter and easier to clean. Anyone who wants a press that also functions as an insulated carafe for keeping tea warm through a longer afternoon should weigh that trade-off, since this Bodum model relies on the glass alone rather than added insulation.

Verdict and who should pick something else

Choose this press if you like the French-press approach to loose leaf tea and want a straightforward glass carafe sized for a couple of servings without added insulation or extra parts to manage. It is a classic, easy-to-clean option for anyone comfortable handling glass teaware. Skip it if you want something that stays hot for hours without a separate cozy or insulated sleeve, or if you would rather avoid glass entirely in favor of a stainless steel or double-wall insulated tea press that tolerates more bumps and temperature swings without concern.

Frequently asked questions