Types of Teapots

Whether you are purchasing a teapot for yourself or as a gift for another, choosing the right teapot is important. Below is a description of the different types of teapots on the market today. You may be interested in purchasing a teapot that has more of an ornate style as compared to one with a more functional style. Just know that there are many to choose from and I am sure you will find one that will fit your needs. 

Brown Betty
The Brown Betty is a round teapot made from red clay and coated with a manganese brown glaze known as Rockingham glaze. The original teapots were discovered in the Stoke-on-Trent area of Britain, in 1695. These early pots were tall and shaped more like coffee pots. Then during the nineteenth century the teapots took on a more rounded shape. The Rockingham glaze was brushed on the pot and allowed to run down the sides, creating a streaky finish as it was fired.
Throughout the 19th century tea brewed in a Betty Brown was considered exceptional. The design of the pot allowed the tea leaves to swirl around as the water was being poured, intensifying the flavor. When it comes to the classic, everyday English teapot, the Brown Betty is among the best. To make sure you have an original, check for the "Made in England" stamp.

Glass Teapots
Heat-resistant, clear glass teapots are a 20th century creation. Glass teapots showcase the process of making tea. They enable the tea to be brewed to just the right strength based on the color as the tea leaves or teabags diffuse their goodness through the boiling water. Many glass teapots come with detachable infusers in which to place the tea. Some also have warmers so that the tea stays hot. Glass teapots are as attractive on the tea table as they are practical. They are easy to clean, and many are also dishwasher safe.

 
Porcelain Teapots
As early as 618 CE, it is believed that the Chinese had been firing pieces of hard porcelain not to create teapots but to listen for the musical note achieved when a piece was struck. In Europe in the early eighteenth century Johann Bottger of Meissen Germany discovered the proper balance of materials to mix into what was to be the first European Porcelain, white with a smooth texture and translucent quality. Porcelain-producing factories were established all throughout Europe, adding colors, and three-dimensional ornamental designs and glazing techniques. Teapots were molded and their innovative designs remained expensive and used by the wealthy, but today porcelain teapots cover a wide range of prices.

Silver and Silver Plated Teapots
For centuries, silver has proven itself particularly suitable for household kitchen and dining objects that are both functional and decorative. Silver’s moldable nature allows it to be formed into an unlimited range of shapes by talented silversmith artisans. Silver’s brilliant reflective surface, its ability to accept many kinds of ornamentation make it the preferred metal for affluent and fashion conscious households.
Tea and coffee two of the most common liquids commonly served from this silver teapot. They were common among many elite English and Scandinavian households. These beverages were introduced in Europe and America during the 17th century, and the vessels used for them have not changed in over 300 hundred years. They were common among many elite English and Scandinavian households. Silver teapots were patterned from those made of porcelain. There were many various shaped to the silver teapot, early on teapots were pear-shaped and then angular following the history of design.


Tetsubin
The tetsubin teapot is a Japanese cast iron pot having a pouring spout, a lid, and a handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking purposes. Tetsubin teapots are often elaborately decorated with designs on the outside. They range widely in size, and many have unusual shapes, making them popular with collectors. Tetsubin teapots can be found in many colors with various designs and patterns.
Tetsubin Teapots date back to the middle of the 17^th century. Throughout the 18th century, tetsubin kettles became a standard household utensil for heating water to make tea with. As the use of these pots increased, so too did the intricacy. During the 19th century, tetsubin designs went from simple basic iron kettles, to elaborately engraved masterpiece
Caring for a cast iron teapot is very simple.  Rinse thoroughly with water, no soap should not be used. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth.  This cleaning method will allow the seasoned mineral coating to remain intact and protect the iron in the teapot walls from oxidizing.



Yixing Teapots
YiXing (pronounced ee-shing) teapots originated during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279) in the YiXing region of China. The teapots are made from porous purple clay. The purple clay's unique properties make it ideal for brewing tea. The quality most immediately apparent is the attractive color of purple clay. This color, sometimes augmented by natural pigments, is never hidden on YiXing teapots by glazes. Similarly, the inside of YiXing teapots are always left uncoated. The porous nature of purple clay absorbs the flavor, smell, and color of the tea that is brewed in it. Over time, YiXing teapots develop a seasoning from repeated use, making the tea brewed from a used teapot a special treat. For this reason, most people will dedicate a single flavor of tea to a specific YiXing teapot, so that the seasoning is not disrupted by cross-brewing. Read more…http://www.yixing.com.