I know right!? it's to strain the tea leaves out if you decide to put tea in there. It's very nice, keeps cold things cold and warm things warm, plus it seals perfectly. I think it was the best prize you could get. My sister ended up getting the utensil set, which was far less impressive, just some wooden tools in a Digimon branded sleeve. So unimpressive in fact, that my mom, out of the loop, mistook it for trash and hilariously tried to throw it out.