Characteristics and tips for choosing a ceramic teapot

Tea, cooked according to the rules and in the right pot, will bring not only aesthetic pleasure. Depending on the variety, tea can either put a rest on too much excitement, or, on the contrary, cheer up after a hard day. In order for the taste of the drink to fully reveal all its positive properties, it is necessary not only to choose the right kind of tea, but also the dishes in which it will be brewed.

Over its long history of existence, the teapot has undergone many changes., and today there is a huge amount of materials for its manufacture. Today we will talk about the very first of them - clay (or ceramics).

It is not a secret to anyone that China is the birthplace of tea, so the preparation ceremony for this drink originated there. The very first kettles were made of clay. At the same time, any variety was not suitable for these purposes. A special kind of clay was needed, which was mined in Jiangsu Province in the vicinity of Yixin City. From it went the name of the variety - Isinskaya clay. This variety is easily recognizable by its characteristic reddish-brown hue. Products made of it were especially valued at all times for the fact that with their ability to retain fluid inside themselves, they allow air molecules to penetrate inside, due to which the drink in a ceramic teapot acquires a special taste and aroma.

All pottery, including teapots, is divided into several categories. depending on the raw materials and manufacturing technology:

• in fact, the clay itself;
• faience;
• porcelain.

There are many types of clay used to make teapots. All of them are divided into hard and soft rocks. The group of soft clays gives a stronger shrinkage during firing, while hard grades give a more saturated shade. Depending on the type of clay and the firing temperature, finished products can take on different shades: from light sand to almost black. Fabrications are decorated with dyes to make them look more attractive.

Faience can be called an intermediate link between clay and porcelain. It looks more elegant than ordinary clay, but is inferior in strength to porcelain and cracks with time, while dishes from real porcelain remain many times as beautiful and elegant as they were originally.

Chinese tea pots are appreciated by gourmets around the world. These Yixing teapots are made by hand. To do this, the raw materials must first be dried. Previously, this process could take from several days to several weeks, but today, thanks to the vacuum drying method, it has been significantly reduced. When the clay dries, it is crushed into powder, then sieved and add water, bringing to a paste-like state. Then, the resulting mass is fought off to the desired thickness to seal and displace excess fluid. After that, the master begins to shape the future product. Spout and handle attached to the kettle later.

With the help of special tools and fixtures, the dishes are brought to perfection.and then decorated with carvings or inlays. Inexpensive models of kettles for welding cast in plaster molds. At the final stage, the finished ceramic product is subjected to triple roasting.

Traditionally, teapots are rounded. It is believed that it contributes to a better disclosure of the fragrance. However, hand-made piece models may look different, sometimes quite fancy. For example, teapots in the form of animal figures or an opened bud look very original. Sometimes on the dishes you can see the author's stamp, painting, carving and other decorative elements.

If desired, you can buy a kettle with a strainer or in a set with a cup. For brewing herbs, it is recommended to purchase a double-walled teapot. He has the abilities of a thermos and is able to maintain the temperature of the contents inside him for 40–60 minutes. As for the size of the kettle, then everything is very individual. For personal use there will be enough dishes with a volume of 100–350 ml, for a family it makes sense to take a closer look at half-liter teapots, and for a large company you will need a more impressive volume - about 2 liters.

As mentioned above, ceramic tableware has a unique ability to accumulate odors. Therefore, experts advise to have for each grade a separate kettle. Relaxation is allowed for varieties of tea, similar in composition and aroma. Only in this way can you feel the full bouquet of the drink to the full. In clay teapots it is better to brew black and red teas. Ceramic enameled teapots are recommended for lighter varieties: white, yellow or green teas.

Consider the reasons for making a choice in favor of a ceramic tea pot.

• Diverse design. It is very convenient to work with ceramics. On it looks equally good and painting, and inlay, and stucco. And even a smooth clean surface, devoid of any additions, looks elegant and noble.
• Excellent heat retention. Unlike some other materials, ceramics are more heat-intensive, which means that tea in this teapot will brew and taste better.
• Keeps quality. Clay is a natural material and does not emit harmful substances when heated, so the drink will retain all its properties and will not deteriorate.

But this dish has some disadvantages that must be taken into account.

• Fragility. Despite the external solidity of clay teapots and the advertised strength of porcelain, ceramic products are significantly inferior in strength to their fellows, made from other materials, such as metal.
• The lid must be held when bottling. In some models of teapots, for example in the press kettle, there is a special holding device for the lid. In instances of ceramics such devices are almost always absent.
• The handle may heat up, and it creates some discomfort in the process of use.
• Cost Even massive factory copies are a bit more expensive than analogs made of plastic or metal, and the price of genuine Chinese exclusive models can be very high.

When buying a kettle should pay attention to some points.

• Product weight The larger the volume of the kettle, the more it weighs with the water, and it can be very difficult to hold it with one hand.
• Cap. The diameter of the lid must be exactly the same as the size of the neck of the kettle. Then she will sit tight in the nest. Ideally, it will have a holding device, but this is rare in ceramic models. There should be a hole in the lid handle to allow steam to escape.
• Integrity. Any chips and cracks are considered marriage.They affect not only the aesthetic properties, but also the quality of the drink.
• Spout. Its height should be equal to the level of the neck of the teapot or be slightly larger. It should be slightly bent, narrowed at the end and attached to the body of the kettle at an angle of about 30 degrees. Ideally, there is a built-in strainer or a perforated grill between the spout and the wall of the kettle to hold the tea leaves.
• A pen. Usually it is located on the side. However, it is much more convenient if it is on top. Such a design and keep it easier, and hang over the fire if necessary, you can.
• Strainer. It can be bundled with a kettle or sold separately. The most common option - stainless steel. There are also strainers made of silicone, plastic, porcelain or glass.

In the next video you will find a review of the Pelangi teapot.