Teapots: the best models and choice

Many people cannot imagine their life without a tea party, an integral attribute of which is such a household appliance as a teapot. In the modern market of home appliances and utensils, they are presented in a rich variety, which often makes it difficult for both ordinary tea lovers and those who are seriously interested in tea ceremonies. Therefore, before buying a teapot, it is important to pay attention to such details as the product material, its design features, as well as the manufacturer. All these nuances will be presented in detail in this article.

A teapot is a special type of tableware that is used to brew tea, tea and herbal drinks. These drinks are based on dried raw materials, which are tea leaves, herbs, flowers and other components. This composition is added to the kettle and poured with boiling water, in the process of such thermal exposure, the dry components swell and saturate the boiling water with a special taste and aroma. Brewing teapots in most cases are small containers consisting of one compartment. They also have lids made, as a rule, from material similar to the case, and spouts or recesses in the case through which the finished drink is poured into cups.

Drinks brewed with the help of this aggregate have a richer taste and aroma, and strong tea, which is made in this way, is enough for family gatherings and for a larger company.Some note that the disadvantages of using these products are the need to wash them, as well as the more time-consuming preparation of tea. However, for true lovers of this drink, these nuances are not critical.

The fundamental criterion that distinguishes teapots from each other are the materials from which they are made.

Each of their materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is also intended for certain types of tea compositions.

Glass brewing vessels look very aesthetically pleasing thanks to their transparent body, through which you can observe the process of acquiring tea-colored boiling water and metamorphoses that occur with dried leaves. However, the reverse side of such models is their inability to retain heat for a long time, which in itself contradicts the correct procedure for brewing tea. To compensate for this flaw, modern manufacturers have modernized glass models, providing them with additional elements such as an induction bottom and a candle. And also, as the main raw material, borosilicate glass began to be used, which well tolerates the additional heating of the vessel on the stove.

These options are the so-called double-walled kettles. The additional compartment resembles a double-walled glass flask equipped with a sieve. Tea leaves are placed inside it. Sometimes this element is made of another material, such as porcelain.

A popular material for tea leaves is porcelain, which belongs to the category of elite materials for making dishes. Elite porcelain models look very aesthetically pleasing, but due to the thin walls they retain heat worse. Porcelain analogs with denser body walls are able to maintain high temperature for at least a quarter of an hour.

It is worth noting that porcelain care may be difficultsince they are not recommended to be washed with cleaning agents, only rinsing under running water is permissible. As alternatives to more thorough cleaning, you can use soda, after which it is recommended to rinse the teapot first with warm and then cold water. Some use such porcelain models only for special occasions, thereby trying to extend their life.

The material, which is often given out as porcelain due to external resemblance, is earthenware. It is cheaper than luxury material, but it can be styled like porcelain and sold at a much higher cost. Faience is able to maintain the hot temperature of the liquid poured into it for a long time, but its disadvantage is fragility and the risk of chips and other defects during operation. Care for earthenware tea pots follows the same methods as for porcelain.

Fans of lighter varieties of tea will like brewing models made of clay that has undergone triple firing. Other models are more decorative than suitable for continuous use. This material is quite fragile, but due to its porosity it is able not only to absorb tea vapors and odors during the brewing process, but also to give them in the process of subsequent preparation of the drink, saturating it even more.

Otherwise, the smell of another variety of tea that was brewed in the teapot before that, turning the porosity of the clay material into a disadvantage, can partially penetrate into one variety during brewing. If you prefer to alternate heavily flavored tea drinks, it is better to dwell on another material.

Metal is a material for tea leaves, which is distinguished by its special strength and resistance to mechanical stress. Many models have a rather aesthetic appearance and easily fit into the interior of kitchens decorated in modern styles. These items keep the temperature, but some urmans in the tea party area note that the drink brewed in metal teapots acquires a characteristic aftertaste.

Despite the fact that models made of cast iron are not found as often as products from other materials, a cast-iron kettle for brewing is considered one of the most convenient. He is the leader in heat storage time. Compared to metal ones, such models are covered with a special glaze inside, which does not allow to saturate the drink with taste impurities during the brewing process.

The main disadvantage of cast iron teapots is the price, which is higher than that of teapots made from other types of raw materials.

Among more modern raw materials, plastic is also found that is not taken seriously by most tea drinkers. It is used not only for the manufacture of the body, but also for the creation of individual elements of the brewing structure.

Thus, based on your attitude to the tea ceremony, the types of tea that you like, and even the interior features of your kitchen, you can choose the perfect material for your teapot. Most of them are found on the market in a large assortment, painted in various colors and contain elements on their body that will fit into the atmosphere of your kitchen.

Along with the material, you must also pay special attention to such characteristics as the shape and size of the teapot. Such a sign as size is determined by the number of people for whom it is planned to brew a drink. If 3-4 people will use the unit, then it is quite appropriate to choose a product with a volume of 1 or 1.5 liters. For one person, it is enough to use a small kettle, the volume of which is no more than 0.5 liters.

If there is no desire to buy such a large product, then you can use several smaller models, for example, 2 of 1.5 liters. It is also worth considering the individual preferences of tea lovers, as they directly affect the consumption of the brewed component. Fans of strong tea will quickly empty the teapot, and those who prefer to additionally dilute the drink with boiling water will have a smaller teapot.

The traditional form of a teapot is round. It is believed that heat distribution is perfect in it, and these "pot-bellied" models most fully reveal the aroma of the drink. However, now this ware is not limited to these forms, since unusual oval and square products are also created from the whole variety of materials, some of which are decorative and created specifically by designers for this.

Inside the device there is a piston with a press plate equipped with holes. Tea leaves, filled with boiling water, are pressed by this plate during the brewing process, which, as it were, squeezes the taste and aroma out of them, making the drink saturated.This model is very suitable for lovers of strong tea who do not adhere to all the nuances of the classical ceremony.

It is worth mentioning such a model as a thermos kettle, which has an elongated shape resembling an egg. Inside the plastic case is a flask made of glass, as well as a strainer, which serves as a kind of filter that does not allow tea leaves to get into the drink during the brewing process. Water is drained through a convenient spout located in the upper part of the body.

An interesting design is a brewing unit with a drain button, consisting of two flask vessels. Inside the large flask - the main body - there is a smaller flask, and it is in it that the raw material for brewing is poured and water is poured. When the boiling water acquires all the necessary qualities of tea, you just need to press the button to open the pouring valve - the water will merge into the lower flask, and the tea leaves will remain at the top. Thus, the shape of the teapot is determined by the design features of its mechanism, and the size is proportional to the size of the tea party company.

Before buying a tea brewing unit, you should pay attention to a number of manufacturers who have long established themselves in the market and are in demand among consumers.

• Mayer & boch It is famous for its miniature tea brewing products of round and oval shapes. These products are made of cast iron, glass, metal and do not exceed 1 liter in volume. Many models are equipped with filters, strainers and coasters, greatly simplifying the process of making tea. Among the glass structures, there are also larger models - up to 1.5 liters. They are equipped with plastic elements in the form of a cover and a handle.

• German products from the Gipfel brand It is presented in the form of small ceramic teapots painted in various colors and having a volume of up to 1 liter. There are also miniature cylindrical glass products and stainless steel products up to 2 liters. Inside some round glass models there is a filter made of stainless steel. The price of products from the latest material is higher than the rest.

• Among teapots Taller models with a glass case and a handle, as well as a metal cover prevail. The shape of dummies is either round or slightly elongated, and the volume is from 700 to 1000 ml. All designs are equipped with a strainer. The cost of such dummies from this manufacturer varies from 1000 to 2000 rubles, depending on the model.

• Bodum Company It is interesting for its kettles with a press made in a very elegant and unusual design. These models have a volume of 0.3 liters or 1 liter, but are not cheap - from 2500 to 5900 rubles. Even the round teapots from this brand are equipped with a press, which is located inside the glass case. This Danish company is a true professional in the production of various brewing structures made on the basis of the classic French press model.

• Japanese teapots from porcelain from Zero firms 0.5 l in volume is noteworthy in that, in addition to the round shape, they are also presented in square and oval interpretations. These products are painted in plain colors and equipped with a metal cover. Such minimalistically decorated teapots look very aesthetically pleasing.

• Ceramic teapots from Chinese brand Jia-gui luo They look very aesthetically pleasing, and are also presented in a rich variety of case designs. A product with a volume of about a liter is painted with various patterns with a national Chinese theme and not only. This will allow you to choose not only convenient, but also a beautiful unit for brewing a tea drink.

Even having familiarized themselves with all the brands, many have difficulty choosing a teapot. To make this unit not only beautiful, but also as functional as possible, listen to the following recommendations for choosing such products:

• pay attention to the lid of the product - a hole must be present in it to avoid overheating of the drink, as well as at least one fixing antennae so that it does not fly off the case when pouring tea into cups;
• the location and size of the handle is also important - it is most convenient if it is located at the top of the structure, but this is not possible in some models, so you should check when choosing how convenient it is to hold the kettle by the handle at different angles of inclination; the size of the pen should fit the size of your brush;
• so that tea does not spill when brewing and spilling, pay attention to the design of the spout - its end should be on the same level with the lid of the teapot or even higher in relation to the body, the angle of inclination should be from 30 to 35 degrees;
• note what constitutes a strainer in the design of the teapot - in some models it is presented in the form of holes at the base of the spout, the size of these holes should not be too large or small; and it is also preferable if the material for the manufacture of the strainer is stainless steel;
• choosing gift teapots, remember that their price can be quite high, because first of all such products are original and even exclusive; some stylish options for tea leaves, which, in addition to functionality, combine an ensemble of various materials and belonging to a family brand, will also cost a lot, so check out the options in advance to plan your budget;
• assuming that different materials are preferred for different types of tea, be guided by the preference criteria for black, white, green or red tea when choosing a product;
• Do not neglect criteria such as additional functions of teapots for brewing, because some models are suitable not only for brewing tea, but also coffee.

An overview of the teapot with a button, see below.