Teapots: the best models and choice

Many people cannot imagine their life without tea drinking, an essential attribute of which is such a household unit as a teapot. In the modern market, appliances for the home and dishes are represented in a rich variety, which often makes it difficult to choose for both ordinary tea lovers and those who enjoy tea ceremonies seriously. Therefore, before buying a teapot, it is important to pay attention to such details as the material of the product, 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 dish that is used to brew tea, tea and herbal drinks. The basis of these drinks is dried raw materials, which are tea leaves, herbs, flowers and other components. This composition is added to the kettle and poured boiling water, in the process of similar heat exposure, the dry ingredients swell and saturate the boiling water with a special taste and aroma. Teapots for brewing in most cases are small containers, consisting of one compartment. They also have lids, usually made of material similar to the body, and nozzles or recesses in the body through which the finished drink is poured into cups.

Drinks brewed with this unit have a richer taste and aroma., and strong tea, which is made in a similar way, is enough for family gatherings, and for a more numerous company. Some say that the disadvantages of using these products are the need to wash them, as well as more time-consuming tea preparation. 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 vessels for brewing look very aesthetically pleasing due to its transparent body, through which one can observe the process of buying boiling water of tea-colored and metamorphosis occurring with dried leaves. However, the flip side of such models is their inability to keep warm for a long time, which in itself contradicts the correct procedure for brewing tea. To compensate for this shortcoming, modern manufacturers have upgraded glass models, providing them with such additional elements as the induction bottom and the candle. Also, borosilicate glass was used as the main raw material, which well tolerates the additional heating of the vessel on the stove.

These options are the so-called teapots with double walls. The additional compartment resembles a double-walled glass flask equipped with a sieve. Tea leaves are placed inside it.Sometimes this element is made from another material, for example, from porcelain.

Popular material for teapots is porcelain, which belongs to the category of elite materials for the manufacture of dishes. Models of high-end porcelain look very aesthetically pleasing, but because of the thin walls, they retain heat worse. Porcelain analogs with denser hull walls are capable of maintaining a high temperature for at least a quarter of an hour.

It is worth noting that porcelain care may be a little difficult, since they are not recommended to be washed with the help of cleaning agents, it is only permissible to rinse under running water. Alternatively, a more thorough cleaning can be used soda, after which it is recommended to rinse the teapot first with warm and then cold water. Some use such models of porcelain only for special occasions, trying to extend their life due to this.

The material, which is often issued for porcelain due to external similarities, is faience. It is cheaper than elite material, but it can be styled as porcelain and sold much more expensively than its cost price. Faience is able to maintain a hot temperature of liquid poured into it for a long time, but its disadvantage is fragility and the risk of chipping and other defects during operation. Caring for faience teapots should be the same way as for the porcelain.

Fans of brighter teas will like models for brewing made from clay that has gone through a triple roasting. 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 smells in the brewing process, but also to give them in the process of subsequent preparation of the drink, further saturating it.

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

Metal is a material for teapots, 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 products retain their temperature, but some urmans in the field of tea drinking note that the drink brewed in metal kettles acquires a characteristic flavor.

Despite the fact that models of cast iron are not as common as products made from other materials, a cast iron kettle for brewing is considered one of the most convenient. He is the leader in heat conservation time. In comparison with metal, similar models are coated on the inside with a special glaze, which does not allow saturating the drink with flavor impurities in 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 the more modern raw materials are also found plastic, which is not taken seriously by most tea drinkers. It is used not only for the manufacture of the body, but also to create separate elements of the brewing structure.

Thus, based on your attitude to the tea ceremony, the varieties of tea that you love, 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, are painted in different colors and contain elements on their body that 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 the size is determined by the number of people for whom it is planned to brew a drink. If the unit will be used by 3-4 people, then it is 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 you do not want to buy such a large product, then you can use several smaller models, for example, 2 to 1.5 liters. It is also necessary to take into account the individual preferences of tea lovers, since they directly affect the consumption of the brewed component. Fans of strong tea will empty the kettle faster, and those who prefer to further dilute the drink with boiling water will have enough of a smaller teapot.

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

Inside the device is a piston with a press plate, equipped with holes. Tea leaves poured with boiling water in the brewing process are pressed by this plate, which squeezes the taste and aroma out of them, making the drink saturated. This model is very suitable for strong tea lovers 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 there is a flask made of glass, as well as a strainer, which serves as a sort of filter that prevents tea leaves from entering the beverage during the brewing process. Drain water through a convenient spout located at the top of the case.

An interesting design is a brewing unit with a drain button, consisting of two flasks. Inside the large flask - the main body - there is a smaller flask, and it is in it that the raw materials for brewing are poured and water is poured. When boiling water acquires all the necessary qualities of tea, you just have 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 company for tea drinking.

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

• Mayer & boch It is famous for its miniature products for brewing tea of ​​round and oval shapes. This product is made of cast iron, glass, metal and does 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 brand Gipfel presented in the form of small ceramic teapots, painted in different colors and having a volume of up to 1 liter. There are also cylindrical miniature glass products and stainless steel products up to 2 liters. Inside some glass models of round shape there is a filter made of stainless steel. The price of products from the latter material is higher than the rest.

• Among teapots company taller dominated by models with a glass case and a handle, as well as a metal lid. The shape of the teapots is either round or slightly elongated, and the volume ranges from 700 to 1000 ml. All designs are equipped with a strainer. The cost of such teapots from this manufacturer varies from 1,000 to 2,000 rubles, depending on the model.

• Bodum company 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 they are expensive - 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 model of a classic French press.

• Japanese porcelain teapots from Zero 0.5 liter in volume are remarkable in that, in addition to the round shape, they are also presented in square and oval interpretations. These products are painted in solid colors and equipped with a metal cap. Such minimalist designed 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 body 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 tea beverage.

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

• pay attention to the lid of the product - there must be a hole in it to avoid overheating of the drink, as well as at least one fixing barb so that it does not fly off the body in the process of 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 in some models this is not possible, so you should check when choosing how comfortable it is to hold the kettle by the handle at different angles of inclination; pen size should fit your brush size;
• so that the tea does not spill when brewing and spilling, pay attention to the design of the spout - its end should be flush with or even above the lid of the kettle; in relation to the body, the angle of inclination should be from 30 to 35 degrees;
• pay attention to what a sieve is in a kettle design - 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 stainless steel is used as a material for making a strainer;
• Choosing gift teapots, remember that their price can be quite high, because, above all, such products are original and even exclusive; Some stylish variants of teapots, which, in addition to the functional, combine an ensemble of various materials and belonging to a family brand, will also be expensive, therefore familiarize yourself with the options in advance in order to plan a budget;
• assuming that different materials are preferred for different types of tea, be guided by the criterion of preferences for black, white, green or red teas when choosing a product;
• Do not neglect such criteria 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 the button, see below.