How to Choose a Teapot – Types of Tea Kettle in the Market

How to Choose a Teapot – Types of Tea Kettle in the Market: Kettle – what is it? It is a utensil for brewing tea, produced from various materials. Be sure to have a handle, lid, and spout. This kitchen attribute is available in every home and is used several times daily. In the morning, a cup of good tea helps to cheer up on a cold winter evening – to warm up, and in the summer heat – to quench your thirst.

How to Choose a Teapot

Tea drinking also unites and teaches to honor family table traditions.

Who Invented the Kettle?

The origin of the teapot is unknown, but there are suggestions that this kitchen utensil first appeared in China. The vessels were made of clay that could withstand hot water while retaining heat.

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What is Gongfu Teapot?

The first teapots had a small shape. Easily fit in the palm of a person. At the same time, they were very weighty. People did not wash them to preserve the aroma absorbed during brewing. It was believed that the older the teapot, the more valuable it is. Cast iron molds replaced clay molds. They were more durable and did not cool longer than clay ones. Tea in them was brewed faster and became more saturated.

In Europe, porcelain teapots appeared in the 16th century only. It is customary to put two teapots on the table: in the first, tea leaves are insisted; in the second, topping up, they are filled with boiling water to bring the infusion in a cup or glass to the desired strength.

Throughout the history of its existence, the teapot has undergone an evolution of forms and purposes. There are forms for boiling water, brewing, a thermos, and even a kettle-moonshine.

Teapot Materials – What are some types over there?

Every country in the world has its own rules for having tea. However, only dishes made of various materials will helpfully reveal the drink’s taste.

1. Glass Teapot

Glass teapot

This teapot comes from heat-resistant glass. Inside there is a flask-sieve made of stainless steel or glass. Because of the transparent walls, you can monitor the infusion’s strength. Of the shortcomings in care, this is only the staining of dishes with tea leaves. The design is universal and fits any interior. A bamboo cover gives a certain charm.

2. Double Wall Kettle

Double Wall Kettle

They serve for infusion of tea or herbs. The case from double heat resisting glass does not heat up. They are made from faience and ceramics. Often such dishes are used for inhalation for colds.

3. Ceramic Teapots

They are made from clay and fired in special furnaces to a solid state. The outer surface of the master is left with either white or beautiful drawings applied.

Ceramic teapots

Before the initial firing, the material has a very soft structure, so it is possible to see the original models from square to round. Due to the diverse decor, these teapots will suit any tea set.

4. Stainless Steel Teapot

In a modern design, it looks very aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. Often additionally decorated with metal overlays. Such dishes do not break, and no virtual scratches.

Stainless Steel Teapot

Due to the all-metal construction, it serves for a long time and reliably. It has a fixed or movable handle. Sometimes it is supplemented with a silicone insert. The lid is often attached to the body for convenience. The volume of such dishes can reach 2 liters. For a giant tea party, this is the best option.

5. Silver Teapot

Silver teapots differ in graceful design and original form. Often, a red pattern is applied to such products, increasing the already high cost of dishes.

Silver Teapot

925 sterling silver is used in the manufacture. When brewing tea, the walls of the pots are very hot, which does not interfere with the brewing process. Requires some care to maintain shine. Just like copper, it does not like constant moisture. Wash only in manual mode with exceptional products for silver.

6. Cupronickel Teapot

As a rule, they produce a small volume of about 0.5 liters, which is enough for a couple of cups. The handles are made of silicone.

Cupronickel Teapot

Such teapots are inferior in cost to silver. It has been proven that an alloy of red copper, zinc, and nickel positively affects human well-being. The durability of this cookware with proper care is impressive.

7. Cast iron teapot

Cast iron teapot

They are rarely used due to their heavy weight. Although the tea brewed in it is very strong. Cast iron retains heat the longest. If necessary, you can warm up on the stove. The design of such dishes differs from all other models in a flattened shape with a shortened spout.

8. Copper teapot

They are used mainly by connoisseurs of vintage attributes. Copper distributes heat evenly, and tea is brewed more intensely.

Copper teapot

Besides, copper has disinfecting properties, so these teapots are often used during viral diseases. In leaving, it is very whimsical. Due to the presence of moisture, various deposits can appear on the surface, which can be hazardous to health.

9. Wooden teapot

Wooden teapot

A wooden teapot serves as a thermos for brewing herbs and fees. Cherry, linden, and oak are used to manufacture such teapots. It was invented to use iron hoops to connect the skeleton’s parts. The lid made of pine is fixed on a wooden swivel. For a bath, this is a necessary and necessary attribute.

10. French press

It is a popular and stylish model among lovers of leaf tea. Its transparent glass walls allow you to observe the gradual opening of the tea bouquet.

French press

Also, it has a glass flask and a steel piston with a filter mesh. It has a heating cap made of dense material, insulated with padding polyester or felt, to achieve the drink’s maximum strength.

11. Porcelain teapot

Porcelain teapot

Porcelain is the thinnest but quite durable material. Manufacturers decorate teapots with multi-colored ornaments with gilding or silver. The spout holds the drop, and the elegant lid is fixed and does not pop out when pouring. Porcelain teapots are expensive, of the highest category.

Teapot or Tea mug – What is the difference?

Very convenient for portioned brewing of this drink. Ideal for use during business hours. Available in volumes from 250 ml to 500 ml. It has an internal sieve and necessarily a cover. Sometimes a saucer is included. They produce similar dishes made of porcelain or glass. It is considered a good gift and, most importantly, always needed. 

Drinking tea from such cups always invigorates and creates aesthetic pleasure. The range of such dishes is very diverse and can satisfy any taste of the consumer.

Glass cups are made of heat-resistant glass. We can use it in the microwave without metal inserts and gilding. Resistant to temperature changes. Recently, cups made of double thermal glass have been in great demand. The outer wall remains cold while the inner one heats up. Thanks to this, the hands do not burn even with a boiling drink inside the pot.

Porcelain brewing cups are also sold. Graceful, with the most beautiful drawings.

Earthenware cups differ from porcelain in short service life due to microcracks that appear inside, resembling a grid. Ceramic mug – because of its structure, it retains heat well. Easy to wash. It is somewhat heavier in weight than porcelain and faience cups and glasses.

Mugs for brewing from food-grade stainless steel are considered the most durable. They won’t scratch or break. They usually have a screw cap. So, they are ideal for long trips and hikes.

Which Kettle is Better to Choose?

A good teapot is the main attribute when drinking tea. When choosing such dishes, it is essential to consider:

  1. The shape of the dishes – “pot-bellied” is considered the best for brewing. It distributes heat evenly.
  2. When viewed from above, all shapes of the teapot should be symmetrical.
  3. Composition – Porcelain teapots are ideal, which gradually heat up and infuse the drink, revealing its aroma. Porcelain retains heat well, leaving the tea leaves hot for several hours.
  4. The tea strainer can be factory installed inside the teapot or hung as a separate item on the tip of the spout. It is essential that the slots inside are not small. Otherwise, large leaves will clog them and prevent the infusion from entering the cup.
  5. Filters come in the form of a bucket, springs for retaining tea leaves, an inner glass, a ball on a chain, a tea float, clothespins on a mug, and tongs.
  6. Volume – a one-time infusion should be enough for a pre-calculated number of people for tea drinking.
  7. The teapot should hold the drop. Namely, after the tea leaves have stopped pouring into the cup, they should not drip from the spout.
  8. The lid should fit well on the body of the kettle. In more expensive models, forms that are somewhat recessed inward and have a wide rim for better fixation are specially produced. If the lid “walks,” the teapot is of poor quality and will not brew the tea well.
  9. A hole in the center of the lid – contributes to the gradual release of steam to the outside. Condensation does not accumulate inside.
  10. The handle must be comfortable and wide enough. The handle has a particular shape on kettles for brewing tea, narrowed at the lower base and expanding towards the top of its body.

How to Choose a Metal Kettle for Induction and Gas Stoves

Features of a Kettle for a Gas Stove

When choosing a suitable model of kettle for a gas stove, you need to consider some essential criteria:

  • Determine the required volume: Models for 2 liters are suitable for 2 – 3 people. Over 4 liters already for receiving guests. Remember that the larger the capacity, the heavier the kettle.
  • Material: Stainless steel is considered more durable and resistant to deformation. The problem of rust and deposits will not have to be faced.
  • Handles: Must be insulated and made of non-flammable material.
  • Bottom: It is desirable to choose a thickened base. Due to this, the heat is gradually distributed and does not allow the boiling water to cool quickly.
  • The spout is wide for the convenience of pouring water from a tap or a cleaner since the lid fits snugly enough to the base, and it is problematic to open it every time.

Features of the Kettle for Induction Cooker

Induction cookers are gaining more and more popularity due to their economic energy consumption and fast cooking speed.

While selecting a new kettle for heating water, consider:

  • Ferromagnetic bottom: The kettle must be equipped with a built-in disk. Checking this is very simple. Just fetch a magnet to the bottom of the dish, so it sticks to its wall.
  • Volume: Volume plays an important role. An induction hob consumes half the energy of an electric kettle. Therefore, buying a small kettle for a large family is entirely wrong. With frequent use, energy savings will not work.
  • The only drawback of induction is that enameled dishes and those made of metal and aluminum are unsuitable. However, a plate adapter disk can work as a solution to this problem.