Tips for choosing a clay teapot

No one will say exactly when the first teapot appeared. Since that time, the popularity of this kitchen device has grown tremendously. Teapots are different in shape, volume, purpose and, of course, they are created from different materials. Clay models stand out from the entire assortment. This special material is used to create amazing products that can turn any tea party into a real tea ceremony.

The first clay teapots were made in China. For the production, only Yixing clay was used, whose properties allow keeping the fresh taste of tea for a longer time. Even now these teapots are popular all over the world and have no equivalent.

Purple Clay Teapots are considered the most beneficial because they do not allow the tea leaves to release toxins.

Now Yixing clay has become a popular brand that is used everywhere. Therefore, the teapot may not be Chinese, and the material used for it is different, but it is still called Yixing. In such cases, the masters take as a basis an old technology and repeat the design of well-known teapots.

Why are clay teapots so popular? Let's see what their secrets and advantages are.

• The walls of clay teapots have a porous structure, which allows the oils of the tea leaf to be absorbed into the material and form a special film with a unique aroma. Over time, the substances accumulated by the teapot begin to affect the tea, making its taste richer and more sophisticated.Therefore, even if the device is later used to boil water, the taste of the tea will still be felt.
• Each teapot made of Yixing clay or any other variety of this natural material is original and unique. Each model is worked by masters of pottery, who put a special story and secret meaning into their creations.
• Clay is a natural material. During the preparation of the composition for further work, the addition of artificial components is excluded. The composition of the clay must be verified by the manufacturer and monitored by government agencies.
• A manufacturer that cares about its reputation does not allow itself to make inferior quality teapots. Many masters put special hallmarks on their creations, which are difficult to forge. By these marks, it is easy to distinguish a high-quality device from a low-quality fake.
• The clay teapot is easy to clean. After use, it must be washed without the use of special products and dried.
• Clay, unlike other materials, interacts with tea, fully reveals its taste and makes the aroma exquisite. There are no analogues to this material.

Choosing a teapot is not an easy task, especially when it comes to pottery. Choosing the perfect teapot will take time, review many options, and be very careful. The teapot you like will decorate your kitchen and make every tea-drinking a pleasant, relaxing process.

To choose the right teapot made of clay, you will need to adhere to a number of important tips.

• You should like the design and shape of the teapot, and its dimensions should correspond to the requirements and norms of tea consumption. There is no point in buying a small item for a large family. But a large kettle is also not needed for one person. The Chinese believe that a brewed drink should not stand for more than a day. After that, he brings harm to a person.
• The object of interest must be taken in hand so that you can assess its proportions. The handle should not be too thin or thick. The central parts of the handle and spout in the correct device are located in the same vertical plane. The front area of ​​the teapot (where the spout is) is made shorter than the back with the handle.
• Clay teapots in most cases come with one handle, you don't need more, because this design is the most convenient. When buying a device, you need to pick it up so that the handle is comfortable to use.
• Sufficient height of the lid will allow it to stay in place when the kettle is tilted. In most cases, patterned and threaded caps have a more recessed shape than simple versions.
• In the right brewing device, the lid fits snugly against the teapot along its entire circumference. In this case, the tea will brew better, the temperature inside will be maintained longer and the use of the kettle will be pleasant. To check the tightness of the cover, you need to shake the device and twist it. In the first case, there should be no sounds, and when the kettle is scrolled, the sound should be even, without rattling.
• Detailed attention should be paid to the top edge of the device. There can be no chips, gaps and other shortcomings. The thickness along the entire length of the border should not change, as well as the color of the material.
• The strainer, which is located inside the device, can be located outside or inside the neck. The first option is more successful, since the tea leaves will not clog the teapot and prevent the aromatic drink from entering the cup. To brew fine tea, you must choose a device with an appropriate strainer. The size of the holes should be smaller than the tea leaves.
• You cannot be guided by the cost, since the prices for clay teapots are completely biased.An expensive model can be an awkward and completely useless item. A teapot several times cheaper in all its parameters will surpass its expensive counterpart. Therefore, you need to focus only on external characteristics and your own feelings.
• To check the quality of the device, you need to pour water into it. When completely filled, no water should flow through the spout and through the lid. When tilting, the water should pour out in an even stream, without splashing or interruption.
• If you put the device upside down, then it should stand firmly on the table, not stagger or turn over.

A good teapot is not easy to choose; it has to be perfect in every way. Any deviations in shape will ruin the drink.

It is impossible to describe all existing types of clay teapots, because there are a lot of them and the classification is based on a variety of features. For example, devices for brewing a flavored drink can be round, square and ribbed in shape.

There are an unlimited number of design options. Chinese characters and ornaments are especially popular. Also, molding elements, rhinestones, even precious metals and stones can be used as decoration.

Clay tea brewing devices are not only made in China. Japanese models are also of excellent quality, therefore they are highly valued in the world.... Many countries are engaged in the production of clay teapots, but the best are created in China by eminent masters.

It is not enough to choose a quality clay teapot. It needs to be used correctly. Only in this case will there be maximum benefit from it. So, you have become the proud owner of a new clay teapot. We will tell you what to do with it next.

• There may be sand on the "virgin" device. This is normal. It just needs to be blown off or washed off. In any case, the new kettle will have to be washed. Here you can use detergents and even use a soft brush. In the future, to clean the device after use, it is permissible to use only water.

• Some experts suggest boiling the kettle over the lowest heat for 40 minutes.... While boiling, you can add salt or soda. This procedure will remove the taste and smell of clay. Doing so or not is up to you. The kettle should cool down slowly, it should not be doused with cold water, as it may burst or become cracked.

• The device is again placed in water and brought to a boil over low heat. Any tea leaves are added, even the simplest and cheapest (3-4 tablespoons), and the kettle languishes for about 40 minutes.

• After the second boil, the teapot is taken out and laid out on a towel... He must "rest" for an hour.

Thus, the education of the kettle and its preparation before the first brewing are carried out.

How to choose a clay teapot, see below.