Abstract: An infuser (1) comprising an elongated member (2) having at one end (4), a gripping portion (64) and, at the other end (3), a perforated or porous wall portion (5) forming the infuser charge holding chamber. A sleeve (9) slides along the elongated member (2) to cover or expose the perforations (8) or the porous material (40). To use the infuser (1), the infuser (1) is gripped by the gripping portion (64) and the sleeve (9) slid towards the gripping end (64), exposing the hygienically covered perforations (8) or porous material (40), which is stirred into boiling water to extract the required flavour or substances from the infuser charge. Upon completion the infuser is removed above the water and the sleeve (9) is slid down sealing the perforations (8) or porous material to lessen leakage from the infuser (1).