Are there steps to choosing the best teapot? How does one go about choosing a teapot that will produce that great cup of tea? Well there are actually things to consider when choosing your teapot. And you may be saying to yourself, is it really that important? For me, it does affect the taste and quality of the tea. If I am serving it to my guests or family – absolutely. If I am serving it just for me – of course.
Teapot vs. Tea Kettle
First some definitions…..teapot vs. tea kettle. When talking about teapots, I am referring to the actual pot that you make the tea in, not the tea kettle which is what your water is boiled in.
But since we are on this topic for a little bit, here’s some guidance on the issue of heating your water. The water for tea and in particular the temperature is critical. Each tea needs a different temperature, so you want to know what your tea water temperature is (here’s a great article on just that http://www.tealeafjournal.com/water-temperature.html).
Here are some great water heating options for you:
- A classic tea kettle that you would fill and then have on top of the stove.
- An electric tea kettle. This is what I use when making a single cup or teapot.
- Microwave. Not the best option as it does not give you a consistent level of heat through the water.
- Water Boiler. This is my preference for large groups as it can accommodate 3 liters, can heat quickly and hold the water at the correct temperature until you need it.
But as a note, as we get into your selection of the best tea pot – never put them directly on the stove to heat your water or in the microwave.
Criteria for choosing the best teapot
These criteria are what I use when selecting a teapot. Nothing formal, a mix of experts and my own “what works for me”.
- Composition should be consistent with the tea you are brewing
- Be able to hold the water at the correct temperature
- Have an accommodating opening for your preference of infusing
- Large enough or small enough to hold the amount of tea that you desire
- Have a great pour – level alignment of handle, opening, and spout
- Ideally be easy to clean
- And I just really like it!
Composition of the teapot
Why is it important? What the teapot is composed of and the design effect the taste of your cup of tea. You want your tea to be without any other taste than the actual tea and you want it nice and hot, and to stay that way. You will have options for ceramic, porcelain, glass and metal. Look for the inside to be glazed for best functionality. Certain compositions bode better than others. The ceramic tea pot is versatile and allows you to steep white, green, herbal and black teas. Whereas the porcelain is best for white and green teas. But if you follow me, you know I am an avid tea drinker of many kinds, so I like the universality of ceramic.
This reference goes into more detail on the different types of teapot composition https://worldteanews.com/market-trends-data-and-insights/choosing-right-teapot
Opening for infusing
You want your teapot to accommodate your choice of infuser – basket, egg, or tea bag. I reviewed the different types of infusers and how to select this in a previous post. Here’s the link if you want a little review https://teastheseason3.com/how-to-choose-a-tea-infuser/ But in short, you want to be able to fit your favorite infuser into your teapot for the best steep.
Correct size of teapot
There are many sizes of teapots, but basically you want your teapot to hold enough tea for you and your guests. This effects the amount of tea and water. This might be a small pot for yourself which would hold three servings of a 6 ounce cup, medium will hold 28 ounces and serve four 6 ounce cups, a standard size will hold 40 ounces and serve six to seven 6 ounce cups and a large pot can hold up to 48 ounces and serve eight guests with 6 ounce cups. So choose what fits your need best!
A great pour
What do I mean by the pour? Well you want your teapot to have a steady stream when it is poured and you don’t want drips! No body wants drips or leakage when you pour. And honestly, the only way you can find out is to pour out of it.
To help the pour, the spout should be in line with the top of the pot and the handle. The spout be without chips or cracks and the handle fit comfortably in your hand, so to help with pouring. The lid should be well seated into the top of the pot to prevent spills but also to ensure the heat is contained for correct steeping. And if I stand my teapot on its head – it is level.
Ease of Cleaning and Handling
There are many approaches to cleaning your teapot, teacups and infusers. I won’t go into a lot of detail in this post but just to say when looking at your best teapot, you will want to be able to effectively clean the inside and the spout. A future post will address how to clean and care for your teapot and other vintage china and tea items.
Arthur Wood….My Teapot Favorite
There are tons of teapots out there. I have several, but for me a good Arthur Wood teapot is a treat. First, let’s learn a little about Arthur Wood.
The origins of the Wood family in Stoke-on-Trent go back over 250 years to the famous Master Potters, Ralph and Enoch Wood who were contemporaries of Josiah Wedgwood (a well known name in fine china and whose ware is highly-prized and much sought-after to this day). The present company was founded in 1884. Arthur Wood became sole owner in 1904 trading up until 1928 when the company name was changed to Arthur Wood & Son Limited. Arthur Wood& Son were bought out by Price and Kensington in 1989. Amazed at the length of time this family made teapots!
The pots that I have would be considered vintage and not antique (older than 100 years old).
Another gorgeous and unique Arthur Wood teapot.
This is a beautiful Arthur Wood Purple Violet Teapot paired with a BiltonCottage Cozy and an English Cloclough Violet cup, just ready for service.
Pear and Apple Arthur Wood Teapot, great for the fall.
Let me be clear, I don’t consider myself a tea snob (though some may smile and think otherwise), but one who enjoys not only the outcome but the process and the journey along the way. Its fun to understand the history, the steps that make something the best it can be, and ultimately, if I was serving you – it would give you the best gift of celebrating tea. You might not know all the steps behind the scene of that steaming cup, you don’t need to know….you might just take a deep breath, close your eyes and smell the tea and then give a little sigh of repose. Enjoy……
Arthur Woood Reference can be found at https://www.abitofbritain.com/arthur-wood-teapots.htm
54 Comments
Lisa Maslyk
I love this! I am British and have had alot of tea over the years. Thanks for showing me what makes a good teapot!
Beth
Hi Lisa – Well, I am delighted that you enjoyed the post. I have had tea all my life but don’t claim to be an expert – just what I see, read and works for me. Thanks so much for your comment.
Barbara
Great article. I knew some of the information you shared, but not all of it.
Especially about the alignment of the spout etc. Just never thought about it when
looking for a new teapot. I will from now on. Probably answers why some pots don’t
function as well………they look gorgeous but end up useless. Thanks.
Beth
Hi Barbara – Glad that you enjoyed the post and found it helpful. I will likely see you out there turning those pots over to see if they are all lined up! Little things that when added up make a difference. Thanks for your comment!
Danielle Ardizzone
These are so pretty! I would never have thought about all of these factors to consider before buying one.
Beth
Hi Danielle – Not strict criteria but helpful. Glad that you enjoyed the post and that is just a sampling of my teapots (oh my!). Hope you found this helpful. Thanks for your comment.
Tricia Snow
Thank you for the tips! I had no idea what makes a great teapot. I don’t really care for mine so this is helpful.
Beth
Hi Tricia – So glad that you found the post helpful And it depends on whether you are just making a cup for yourself as well. Will be fun for you to get a new one. Thanks for your commentl
Lisa Manderino
Great information! I would have never known!
Beth
Hi Lisa – Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Laura Lee
I love this. Never thought about the difference between a kettle and a pot. I think I want both! They can both be so pretty!
Beth
Hi Laura Lee – Glad that you enjoyed the post. I used to have a kettle but switched to the electric kettle for convenience. And I have several pots to enjoy as you could see. Thanks for your comment.
Bonnie
My mom gave us a teapot for a wedding gift and I still use it….I love it.
Beth
Hi Bonnie – What a delightful gift for sure. And so glad to hear you still use it! Thanks for your comment.
Kate
Thanks for the information. My husband makes fun of my mug and tea cup addiction – maybe I should start growing my teapot collection now!
Beth
Hi Kate – Well bring him along and start both a teapot and teacup collection. Just teasing. I use both of mine all the time. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Kendra
Such beautiful teapots. I had no idea they could be so different when it comes to utilizing them.
Beth
Hi Kendra – Thanks so much and glad that you enjoyed the teapots. I have a few more – maybe I will show them later (grinning). Well I didn’t even scratch the surface of Asian or other teapots. But this was fun. Thanks for your comment.
Charlene
Very informative! I usually just run water through my coffee pot when I want tea!
Beth
Hi Charlene – Oh noooooo….just teasing. You might be surprised at just boiling water and not running it through your coffee pot how it tastes different. But only if you want to. Glad that you found the information helpful and thanks for your comment.
Holly
This is a fantastic post with so mu h great information! I love a good pot of te a d this gives me so much to think about! Thank you!
Beth
Hi Holly – So glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your compliment. I appreciate that knowing your posts. Treat yourself to a good pot – its a great way to extend that self-care need that you share at times. I always find it relaxing. Thanks again for your comment.
Sara
I never would’ve known to think about these things when looking for a tea pot.
Beth
Hi Sara – Well just some tidbits of information…and that you like the teapot is just as important. Thanks for your comment.
heather J jandrue
Who knew that so much went into the perfect pot of tea. Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Hi Heather – Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
leeandra
This is very cool, I’ve never had a teapot.
Beth
Hi Leeandra – So glad that you enjoyed the post. As you can probably tell, for me a teapot represents a lot of things. I know this is not for everyone, but for those that I serve tea to, its always a treat. I wish for you a special teapot, if you desire. Thanks for your comment.
Eva Keller
One of my favorite things to do at Epcot is look at all of the tea sets in China and the UK. I always pick my favorites solely off of looks, but if I were actually going to use them regularly I would want to use this criteria so that it is practical too.
Beth
Hi Eva – What a neat comment. Thanks for sharing your Epcot tradition – how very cool is that? And I must admit, I begin to look at a pot for its looks – I do have to like it. But then look at if it is functional for me. So glad that you found the information helpful – hope you can put it use some day. Thanks for your comment!
Kay
I grew up always playing tea party! But I never knew a lot of this information. Very neat!
Beth
Hi Kay – Yes, I grew up playing tea party and also having tea! So glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Alice
Years ago, before her death, my Mother-in-law gave me several beautiful tea cups. Many of them are similar to cups I’ve seen on your blog. I have no teapot though. Not much of a tea drinker but I love your posts and maybe someday I’ll dig a cup and saucer out of my cupboard and drink some tea.
Beth
Hi Alice – Your comment moved me and thank you for sharing that memory. Many of the cups that I have were given to me by my mother and friends who have passed. I cherish them. Maybe not tea, use it for coffee or even a Strawberry Fool…but holding them I think honors their memory. Those cups stay with me forever. Thank you again – you made my morning. Appreciate your comment and very glad you enjoy the posts.
Debbie
I learn so much from reading your tea posts! Thanks for sharing!
Beth
Hi Debbie – Glad that you enjoy the posts. No expert by any means – just a avid tea enjoyer! Thanks for your comment.
Tiffany
Ah! I wish I had space for more teapots! We decided on an electric kettle (love the speed!) and have a few teapots we will infuse our tea in.
Beth
Hi Tiffany – That’s exactly what I do for my day-to-day enjoyment. Electric kettle is sooo fast. And actually the big one for my large groups is really fast as well – just don’t need 3 liters on a day-to-day basis. I can’t say that I have just a few teapots (ha). Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Marianne
Your tea pots are so pretty! I would definitely enjoy the experience more with those beauties!
Beth
Hi Marianne – Thank you so much. Glad that you enjoyed the post. I try to use them all for sure. For me, it does enhance the experience, but even in a teacup or mug – you can have a great cup. Thanks for your comment.
Lisa
Excellent information! My momma had one teapot when I was growing up and I never knew so much went into getting the proper one! Thank you for sharing.
Beth
Hi Lisa – Glad that you enjoyed the post. Well, these are just the questions and things I look for when purchasing a teapot – to include that I like it! Thanks for your comment.
Stacey Billingsley
Wow, I had never really thought about teapots in this way. This is cool! I really don’t have a lot of experience with tea, but I have been having some peach tea in the evenings sometimes. I also love looking at tea sets when we travel. I finally bought a teacup at Williamsburg, but I’m scared to actually use it!
Beth
Hi Stacey – Thanks so much for your comment. Well, don’t be afraid to use your teacup – that’s why you bought it. I make a deliberate step to use my teacups and even have my guests or family, pick out one that they want to use. Its no good if they are just sitting in a cabinet not being used or seen for you to enjoy. So indulge yourself and have some of that peach tea in your new teacup. I am sure you will love it. However – just hand wash when you are done – never in the dishwasher. Congratulations on your first teacup and enjoy!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
It’s always amazing how we are drawn to certain “tools” in our kitchen. Our favorite mug, or teapot. Thank you for your insights into what a worthy teapot consists of!
Beth
Hi Suzan – Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment. I do have favorite tools as well as my teapots for sure! You are correct.
Barbara
My Mother is the great teapot collector! I shared this with her! I grew up and so did my children with tea parties! We are all very well versed in proper tea etiquette! I LOVED your post and so will she!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Well you comment touched me. Thank you so much for sharing this with her – I am honored that you would do that. No expert, just a lover of all things tea. So glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you so much for the comment.
Annette
Excellent tips!! I am NOT a coffee drinker, but do enjoy a nice cup of hot tea.
Beth
Hi Annette – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your comment.
Cindy
I need more teapots! Since I’m the only hot tea drinker in my family I typically prepare a cup at a time. I love the Arthur Wood teapots though!
Beth
Hi Cindy – I agree, I think everyone needs more teapots! Just kidding (a little). I am frequently the only one drinking tea, so the small ones are just perfect for 2-3 cups. There are lots of other great teapots but for some reason, I have always been drawn to Arthur Wood – beauty and funtionality. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Michelle Felux
Very interesting information! I only have one tea pot and I got it at a bridal shower. It’s beautiful with blue flowers, and the few times I have used it, it has poured beautifully!
Beth
Hi Michelle – Glad that you found the post interesting. One pot sometimes is just enough. And delighted it pours beautifully – hate when it drips and spills. Thanks for your comment.