Please help me, tea people!

All right, I know I have lots of tea-lovers on my flist, so I knew this would be the best place to ask. I love tea. I like to drink it in many forms -- latte, black, green, hot, iced, etc. I bought some bubble-tea supplies from nuts.com (great site), and some lovely matcha from there as well, even though I failed at mixing it.

But I've never entered the world of looseleaf tea. I know, right? I use teabags or instant. To me, the "good" tea is PG Tips, because I have to get it at the British Imports. But there are so many beautiful-sounding teas out there. And all these stores! All of which will tell you that "their" tea-brewing equipment is the best. But I trust you more, my friends!

So please, tell me, what is an easy, but also inexpensive, way to brew loose-leaf tea? I know tea balls won't work with some of the looseleaf stuff with big chunks? I've seen some nifty personal infusers but have no idea which is best.

And if you have any tea recommendations, I'd love 'em! I tend to go for dark, very brisk teas, or maybe some with citrus elements. I love caffeine.

Thank you! ♥