5 main types of Teapot: Advantages and disadvantages


There are many types of teapots in the market now. Once you type the ‘‘teapot’’ keyword in Google, you can receive a million results. I know it is difficult for finding and choosing the right types of teapots. So that in this post I list 5 main types of teapots, their advantages, disadvantages and some tips for choosing the right one. Five main teapots are Ceramic teapots, Porcelain teapots, Clay/ Yixing teapots, Glass teapots and Enameled Cast-iron teapots.

Ceramic teapots

The Ceramic teapot is suitable for all families of tea. This teapot is particularly recommended for fragile and delicate tea such as green tea or white tea.

Advantages:

The ceramic material offers higher heat retention than others material such as Glass, Porcelain. The enamel coating of ceramic teapot makes these teapots do not absorb tea flavor. 

Disadvantages: None

Tips:

Check the pouring spout and handle to make sure they are in straight edge. Make sure you can lift and place the teapot at the right angle to pour tea without straining your wrist.

Porcelain teapots

The Porcelain teapot is a good ideal for fragile and delicate tea like green tea or white tea. As I was saying in the post ‘‘4  notices when buying teapots’’, I got a little Porcelain teapot. And I am satisfied with my porcelain teapot for brewing green tea.
Advantages:
Similar to the Ceramic teapot, the Porcelain teapot does not absorb tea flavor.
Disadvantages:
The Porcelain teapot is not suitable with the tea required longer brewing time such as herbal tea or black tea.
Tips:

You can use Porcelain teapot for brewing tea required a long time like black tea or herbal tea by using tea warmer or felted tea cozy. The tea warmer can enhance the heat retention of the porcelain teapot.

Clay teapots/ Yixing teapots


The Clay teapot/ Yixing teapot is the best teapot for brewing Oolong and Pu-er teas.
Advantages:
The clay or Yixing teapots are memory teapots. Sides of the teapot absorb the tannins in the tea when brewing and create deposits that build up over the successive of infusions.  The more the teapot is using the better it will reveal the wealth of aromas in the tea infused in it.
Disadvantages:
Use one Clay teapot for only one main type of tea Oolong or Pu-er teas. Do not mix different types of tea in the Clay/ Yixing teapot because this type of teapot remembers the tea flavor.  Moreover, this teapot does not go well with white tea and green tea.
Tips:
Be careful with the cheap Clay teapot and Yixing teapot because the cheap one may deteriorate quickly.
There are three rules for choosing the Clay and Yixing teapots
  • The tip of the spout and the top of the handle will be level with the rim of the teapot.
  • The lit should be fit the opening in the teapots as close as possible, so it does not move.
  • The handle and the spout should be perfect aligned.

 

Glass teapots

The glass teapot is ideal for blooming flower tea and stylish leaves unfurling.
Advantages:
The glass teapot offers the neutrality and veracity as ceramic teapots. Their smooth surface is suitable for all types of tea and does not affect the taste. Most designed glass teapots are equipped with infusion strainers. You can remove the strainer when preparing tea bag.
Disadvantages:
The glass teapot is not ideal for heat retention and the tea required more time brewing such as herbal tea or black tea.
Tips:
You can use teapot warmer or felted tea cozy to increase the heat intention or maintain the heat. The good felted tea cozy can keep the glass teapot hot for half an hour or more.

Enameled cast-iron teapots

The enameled cast-iron teapot is suitable with all types of tea but not recommend for delicate teas such as Green tea, Oolong and Pu-er tea.

Advantages:

They can keep the tea hot for an hour. The enameled cast-iron teapot is great for brewing tea requiring high heat such as black tea or herbal tea. The enameled cast-iron material can distribute the heat evenly inside the pot. Besides, the enameled coating makes it easier to clean and prevent the tea from contacting with the cast iron.

Disadvantages:

The enameled cast-iron teapot is not recommended for delicate teas such as white tea, green tea Oolong tea and Pu-er tea.
The enameled cast-iron teapots can be heavy and difficult to handle. It can be easy to over steep your tea if you don’t use infuser. 

Tips:

Remember you get what you pay for when buying the enameled cast-iron teapot. Make sure the enameled cast-iron is good if you don’t want the metallic smell affect your tea.
It is time for ending my discussion about some advantages, disadvantages and tips for choosing 5 main teapots. If you like my post, take note advantages and disadvantages of teapots that you like. And now, it is your turn to find your favorite teapot based on your favorite teas and your own demanding usage. If you have any other ideas about this post let me here your opinion.

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3 comments

  1. Thank you for your comment and sorry for my late reply too. I think ceramic teapot will more suitable with the green/white/Jasmine tea more than cast iron. If you think you can buy two teapot for you and your guests. But you also can buy 1 big teapot for guest and one ceramic cup with strain and cover(tee brewing cup) to make the tea for you. I have one of this cup and I can use it for both green tea, herb and flower tea. It is very good at keeping the heat, comfortable to use and easy to clean too. I hope you can find the teapot that match your needs.

  2. Hi Jason, thank you for your comment and you gave me some ideas to make my post better. I think all teapot made from ceramic, glass and enameled might have a risk of aluminum leached. The teapot might have leach of minor component such as pigment, lead or cadmium used in making, glazing or decorating.
    – To protect yourself, you should buy teapot from reputable cookware producer or store. The product in reputable store might be safe and the substances are meet the law requirements.
    – Buy the product labeled is suitable with food. It's better if you can trace back the substances used in the product whether it meet the laws requirements. Be cautious with teapot when you don't have enough information about the level of lead and cadmium.
    – Don't buy too cheap teapot especially with enameled teapot. In my opinion I like simple decoration teapot as I think the producer might not use so much chemical when produced it.
    – Keep your teapot scrubbed by cleaning it with soap and water. You also can shine your teapot by baking soda. Do not use harsh scouring pads or cleaners, and follow manufacturers’ care instructions.
    – Change your teapot or glass when it get chips, cracks or crazing on the surface.
    This is some ideas to reduce the risk of leaching aluminum in teapot. Do you have anything idea to share with me?

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