| There are several things to consider when | | | | show up and the fat round belly helps the tea |
| looking for a decent tea pot. You'll want | | | | to brew fully. As an all rounder, a simple |
| something that is both beautiful and | | | | pot like this is indispensable - here are the |
| practical - a lovely pot that pours well and | | | | things to check when shopping for your |
| keeps your tea hot. Some people also have | | | | everyday pot: |
| different pots for different types of tea - | | | | |
| an everyday pot for black tea will not be | | | | - Is the pot pretty? One of the warming |
| suitable for making green tea, for example. | | | | things about a cup of tea is the sight of a |
| There are many factors to consider when | | | | nice round pot, with cosy curves and a good |
| choosing a tea pot. | | | | color glaze. |
| | | | |
| A brief guide to teapots: | | | | - How hard is the clay? Tap the pot with a |
| | | | fingernail and listen to the sound. The |
| Teapot history | | | | sharper the tap, the harder the clay, the |
| | | | better the pot. |
| Teapots were first invented in China, where | | | | |
| tea has been grown and drunk for thousands of | | | | - Does the lid fit tight? To avoid dribbles |
| years. Europeans brought teapots home in the | | | | your pot should have a lid that fits very |
| 1800s, where they were received with great | | | | snugly and doesn't allow air to escape. |
| curiosity. The name 'china' for delicate | | | | |
| pottery comes from the fact that Chinese | | | | - The spout is very important - look to see |
| pottery was far finer than any seen before at | | | | that the top is level with the top of the |
| the time, and was named after the place it | | | | teapot. An oval shaped spout is preferable to |
| came from. In those days, Chinese tea pots | | | | a rounded one as it will drip less. |
| and cups were small, made for individuals | | | | |
| rather than for sharing. These days we like | | | | - Practically speaking, you need to be able |
| to have both - a small pot for our own tea | | | | to lift the pot and pour easily, without |
| and big, fancy pots for afternoon visitors. | | | | scalding yourself or spraining your wrist! |
| There are china, silver and even aluminium | | | | Check the pot is not too heavy - remember |
| pots available, in every conceivable shape | | | | you'll be lifting it full of hot tea - and |
| and design. But how do you find a really good | | | | that the handle is well attached. There |
| pot? | | | | should be plenty of space between your |
| | | | knuckles and the side of the pot to avoid |
| Choosing your pot | | | | burnt fingers, and the spout should extend |
| | | | far enough to avoid steam rising to burn your |
| The classic Western teapot is the 'brown | | | | hand as it holds the lid steady. |
| betty' - a big, rounded pot that is used for | | | | |
| everyday tea and works hard. The brown or | | | | Once you've found your perfect pot, be sure |
| black color means that tannin stains won't | | | | to celebrate with a good brew! |