We are all familiar with the main functions of the kettle. But there is more to a teapot than the handle and spout. In fact, this humble ship has a long and rich history that began in ancient China.
The humble beginnings of teapots
The earliest teapots originated in ancient China and were made of cast iron. Over time they began to make porcelain teapots and decorated them with fruit and flower designs. As the idea of ​​decorating teapots grew, it became more of a decorative piece in the home and a functional item in the kitchen.
The first teapots arrived in Europe in the 17th century along with the arrival of tea from Asia. Although these items were originally only available to the upper class, in the 18th century Europeans began making Chinese porcelain teapots, making them more affordable and therefore accessible to all people.
The oldest teapot still intact today dates back to 1513 and originates from China. It currently resides at the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware in Hong Kong.
The evolution of teapot materials
The first kettles, as already stated, were made of cast iron and clay. Tetsubin are cast iron kettles that originated in Japan. They are used for traditional tea drinking ceremonies, which are an important part of Japanese culture.
The use of porcelain and silver to make teapots emerged a few decades after cast iron and clay models were designed and started a new trend of using teapots for decorative purposes.
The Brown Betty is a terracotta clay teapot that was made in England beginning in the 17th century. It is as iconic in the history of English tea drinking as is the classic silver tea set.
Over the past 50 years, the glass teapot has been popular as tea connoisseurs enjoy the fact that glass does not retain the flavor of tea, so it can be used to brew various types of tea without ruining the flavor.
The culture of tea drinking
In mid-18th century England, hosting tea parties became a huge trend. Highly decorative and elaborately designed silver tea sets and teapots were very popular with the upper classes. Tea also plays a very important role in Japanese culture with ceremonies dedicated to the art of drinking it.
Even today, English High Tea has become a popular event for many people, with major hotels and cafes offering high tea events, involving a display of teas, sandwiches and small cakes.
The next time you’re brewing up your pot of delicious tea to share with friends, you can pass on your knowledge and also let them know that there’s more to the humble pot than meets the eye.