Which teapot should you choose? It is all about the material!
How do you choose from the multitude of existing teapot models, from the most basic to the most aesthetic? As each material has its advantages and affects infusion, should you choose cast iron, ceramic or glass ? Follow Kusmi’s guide!
The cast-iron teapot
This is the traditional Japanese teapot, called “Tetsubin Kyusu”. Its strengths? The thermal advantage of cast iron, which retains heat perfectly. The cast-iron teapot can be placed directly on the heat to warm the water before infusing all kinds of tea. For easier care, choose an enamel coating that protects the cast iron from rust.
The ceramic or porcelain teapot
It is not always easy to tell them apart. Porcelain is a ceramic, but ceramic is not necessarily porcelain. Here is why: ceramics are objects made from fired clay. However, there are several firing temperatures, giving rise to different materials: earthenware, porcelain and stoneware. If they remain porous after the first firing (not ideal for holding water!), they are often glazed to make them more resistant. (Glazing consists of applying a fine layer of powder that becomes molten glass.) Once glazed, ceramic or porcelain teapots have “no memory” and are “neutral”, meaning that different types of tea can be infused in them one after another without the risk of mixing flavours.
The clay teapot
Also made from fired clay, the porous clay teapot has the particularity of being a “memory” teapot: it remembers the teas infused in it. As it is not glazed, tea tannins lightly settle on its walls and subsequently release their flavour. It is therefore recommended to always use the same tea variety (green tea, white tea, black tea, flavoured teas, smoked teas…) to avoid unpredictable blends. Conversely, teapots “patinated” over the years by tea masters fetch a fortune!
The glass teapot
We love the contemporary, minimalist design of this Scandinavian-inspired teapot. Its transparency gradually reveals the colour of the tea, ideal for monitoring the infusion. The advantages of the glass teapot: it is easy to clean and does not retain flavours. Its drawbacks: greater fragility (compared with cast iron!) and less heat retention.
The automatic teapot
While tradition has its merits, innovation can be just as appealing to tea lovers. Pour in the water, then the automatic teapot takes care of everything! Equipped with various programmes, some of which can be customised, it heats the water, infuses all tea varieties, signals when the tea is ready, then keeps it warm. Some are even programmable, so you can have tea ready when you wake up in the morning. However, sophisticated tea machines are logically priced higher than classic teapots.
Looking for the perfect teapot? To each their own needs!
To find the most suitable teapot, you will need to consider your consumption habits (What type of tea do you drink? Loose-leaf tea or tea bags? How many cups do you need to fill? For how many people?) before making a purchase. To guide you as effectively as possible, we explain below which is the ideal teapot according to your tastes and preferences.
Which teapot for loose-leaf tea?
For greater convenience, lovers of loose-leaf tea will opt for a teapot with a built-in filter. Often made of metal, the filter may be located beneath the lid or directly inside the spout. This second option allows for better infusion, as the tea leaves steep freely in the hot water. The water is filtered only at the last moment, before tasting. Tea infusers and tea balls can also be added to teapots that do not include them.
Which teapot for tea bags?
Do you only have tea bags to hand? The teapot will then be useful for heating water and placing your tea bag in it to infuse. A second tea bag may be needed if you have a large teapot. All teapots will do the job. Just remember to remove the filter, if possible, to make more room.
Which teapot for a tea ceremony?
It depends on the country and the ritual. In China, the tea ceremony (Gong Fu Cha) involves using a fired-clay teapot (with memory). In Japan, the Cha No Yu ceremony centres around tasting matcha tea. If the water is heated in the traditional cast-iron teapot , the matcha tea must then be whisked into a froth in a bowl using a bamboo whisk. In Russia (the birthplace of Kusmi), the samovar ritual consists of always having hot water available to enjoy tea at any time of day. The samovar is a metal utensil that keeps water hot, on which a metal or porcelain teapot is placed. It contains a very concentrated black tea, which hosts then dilute with the hot water from the samovar.
Which teapot for mint tea?
Moroccan teapots are traditionally made of stainless steel or silver. They have a long spout, a large handle and come with a matching tray. They are used to infuse plain green tea and a bunch of mint, before sweetening generously ahead of the tasting. If fresh mint is unavailable, Kusmi offers an equally delicious organic mint green tea, made with dried leaves.
How should you care for your teapot?
Whatever material you choose, avoid washing-up liquid, scouring sponges and the dishwasher, as they are considered too abrasive. Simply rinse your teapot with boiling water. Once dry, leave it open so that it can air properly. In the event of stains or deposits, natural products (white vinegar, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda) can be used to remove tannin stains or rust marks from a cast-iron teapot.
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