Which teapot to choose?

Tea is a drink increasingly preferred by the French. Between coffee and sugary drinks that can have a negative impact on health, tea is a drink that promotes water intake during the day and provides certain nutrients important for health.

However, it is very difficult to choose a teapot that is suitable for all purposes, and several factors must be taken into account: capacity, manufacturing materials, ease of use, maintenance and of course its price.

With over 10 years of experience and the team's solid knowledge, Tenmo has worked with around ten artisans specializing in tea. In this article, we will explain them to you from A to Z.

The capacity:

Depending on your habit, the teapot can have several types of capacity:

• 10 cl: Classic Chinese or Japanese tasting teapot.
• 25 cl: Tasting teapot for 2 to 4 people
• 50 cl: Western style teapot for a mug or large cup.
• 75 cl to 1l: Western style teapot for 2 mugs or large cups or even more.

The form:

• Traditional Chinese teapot: This form of teapot is composed of 4 elements: The body, the outlet mouth, the handle and the lid. This is the type of teapot most used in Asia which also gave the shape of Western teapots.

• “Gaiwan” teapot: This form of teapot is very popular with tea lovers in China and Japan, but also increasingly in Europe. It is composed of a body in the form of a tea bowl, a lid and a saucer. In order to pour the tea into the teacups, you should hold the lid with your index finger while leaving a slight slit and let the infusion come out. This technique allows you to filter the tea leaves without using a filter.
• Japanese Teapot: Known for its cast iron teapots, Japanese teapots inherit Chinese tea culture while incorporating Japanese Zen Buddhist culture.

Materials and maintenance:

• Porcelain teapot: Porcelain is a very durable and easy to clean material, it can be put in the dishwasher. In addition to its practicality, thanks to its high aluminum content, the material is malleable and can be shaped into different shapes.

• Clay teapot: Traditional Chinese teapot originating from the city of Yixing, it is fired at high temperature and is relatively porous. We recommend using only one type of tea (green tea, red tea, etc.) for the clay teapot, because it draws out the flavors of the tea which requires special maintenance.
• Cast iron teapot: cast iron is made of iron, which some experts believe could have a beneficial effect on water hardness. Traditionally used to boil water, it is not recommended to add tea leaves directly into the teapot because the presence of metals can alter its taste. However, you can add certain teas that require cooking, such as Pu'er or fermented black tea. As for maintenance, as with all oxidizable utensils, we do not recommend washing it in the dishwasher, and you should also make sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it in your cupboard.
• Glass teapot: Just like glass, it is known for being easy to maintain and above all can remain absolutely neutral whatever the type of tea that is introduced.

Tenmo is a specialist in teapots and teacups. All of our teapots and cups are handmade and artisanal in collaboration with specialized craftsmen.

To discover our passion for craftsmanship, do not hesitate to read this article published by Actu.fr.