Buying a Teapot

Teapots have a certain charm. On a cold winter’s day, the sound of one whistling provides a sense of comfort and hominess. In recent years the “art of tea” has taken on new meaning in coffee houses. People’s pallets have been exposed to more exotic teas and processes by which to prepare them. That makes looking for a decent tea pot a whole new ballgame.

The teapot featured here is about 20GBP

Teapots originated in China and brought to Europe in the 1800s. At this juncture the pots were small, intended for single servings not group functions. Since that time, as tea became more and more popular, the types of teapots also grew. Now you can choose from metal, aluminum, china, etc. All those options tell us little about what makes for a good teapot, however.

In the Western world one of the most popular and multi-functional tea pots is called the brown betty. As the name implies this is a round pot intended for daily use. The brown coloring of the pot keeps tea stains from showing, and the round design improves the way the tea steeps. The clay in a brown betty should be nice and hard. To check the pot, tap it. If you get a sharp sound, that’s a good hard pot.

Other things to check include the lid, the spout, and the overall weight and ease of handling. The lid should have a good tight fit, and the spout be even with the lid. In terms of weight and the handle, remember this will be filled with hot tea. If the base material is too hefty you won’t be able to serve out safely.

A nice Royal Albert Teapot will retail for about 50 GBP

Stainless steel teapots have become more popular. They keep tea hot for a good long time and offer durability. Unless glass, ceramic or clay, they don’t break. Tea lovers will treat these teapots initially by brewing strong tea therein several times before actually using the pot for tea to drink. This is a type of “seasoning” that makes a better cup of tea. Stainless pots should never be washed with soap. Just rinse and reuse.

China, clay and ceramic pots have a wide range of costs depending on the manufacturer. Like the brown betty they slowly accept a coating of tannin on the inside that improves the quality of tea served out. Some people like to collect these, as they’re more artistic than stainless, but in homes with young children or pets, stainless or aluminum are far more practical.

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