Teapot is a utensil used for brewing tea. Loose tea leaves or tea bags may be used in a teapot. Boiling or near boiling water is ten added to the teapot and is left untouched for a few minutes to allow the tea to brew. If loose tea leaves have been used, a strainer is required to separate the tea leaves from the tea. The time taken to brew the tea depends upon how strong you like your tea. The stronger your preference, the longer the tea needs to be left to brew.
While tea was discovered at the beginning of the millennia, tea pots did not come into existence until the 15th century. During the early period of the Ming Dynasty in China, the concept of brewing tea, as we know it now, became very popular. The first teapots were made during this period which lasted from 1368 to 1644. The earliest teapots were made from the zisha, or "purple" clay, of the YiXing region of China. These teapots, however, were not the same teapots as we know them today. These teapots were not only used to brew tea, they were also used to drink tea. Tea is sipped from the spout of the teapot. This tradition continues to this day in this region. YiXing teapots are unique in that they gradually season and the unglazed clay absorbs the flavor of brewed tea. The design of the original YiXing teapots also greatly influenced the future designs of teapots.
The Western world came in contact with Chinese tea around the 17th century. Tea was then exported from China to Europe as part of exotic supplies. Porcelain teapots were also transported along with the tea. Most of these teapots were blue in color and had a white underglaze. Porcelain is completely vitrified and can withstand sea water without any damage. So, while the tea was carried on top of the deck to keep it dry, the teapots were packed below deck. At the time, when these porcelain teapots were being exported to Europe, porcelain could not be made in Europe. This greatly increased the demand for these porcelain teapots.
Teapot Care
If you are using an unglazed teapot, not washing it in a dishwasher or soapy water is highly recommended. Ideally, an unglazed teapot should be rinsed with warm water alone and left upside down to dry. Additionally, an unglazed teapot should not be used to brew different types of teas. This is because unglazed teapots preserve the taste of the tea that is brewed in it and mixing teas will create an unpalatable taste. You need to have dedicated teapots for every tea variety you use. You are also likely to find natural tannin sediment at the bottom of an unglazed teapot. This should be left untouched as it will help enhance the flavoring over time. You are not likely to have any flaking problems in an unglazed teapot. If you are using a glazed teapot, use boiling water and a couple teaspoons of baking soda to remove this tannin deposit. Leave the teapot with the diluted baking soda overnight and rinse before use.
To learn more about the equipment needed to brew Loose Leaf Tea and how to use it, see out Tea Equipment section
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Teapot is a utensil used for brewing tea. Loose tea leaves or tea bags may be used in a teapot. Boiling or near boiling water is ten added to the teapot and is left untouched for a few minutes to allow the tea to brew. If loose tea leaves have been used, a strainer is required to separate the tea leaves from the tea. The time taken to brew the tea depends upon how strong you like your tea. The stronger your preference, the longer the tea needs to be left to brew.
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