The teapot is...

A teapot is a piece of utensils with a spout, lid and handle, used for boiling and brewing tea. The history of the first teapots goes back to ancient China, where even before our era, vessels were made from special clay mined in the Isin province. The unique properties of this clay made it possible not only to withstand high boiling temperatures, but also provided an air flow and allowed the liquid to “breathe.”

There is an assumption that the first teapots were clay vessels for storing and transporting tea leaves to overseas countries. With the discovery of cast iron, it became possible to cast durable cookware that retains heat for a long time. The next stage was reaching the European level; by the end of the 18th century, German and Dutch craftsmen learned how to make luxurious pieces from fine porcelain and silver.

Thus began the story of the birth of the modern teapot, which is found in every home today. Let's figure out what they are and what they are used for.

Types of kettles

For stove

The very first and simplest samples for heating water on an electric and gas stove or an open fire. Most often they are made using cast technology: molten liquid metal is poured into a mold, after which it cools, the finished product is obtained.A distinctive feature of this type is reliability and long service life, which is why they are widely used in the army and in field conditions.

For brewing

They are small containers for infusing tea leaves and herbs. A variety of materials are used for their manufacture:

• Heat-resistant glass;
• Metal;
• Plastic;
• Ceramics (clay, faience, porcelain).

Ceramics help preserve the taste of tea and are an item of luxury, style and individuality. The price for such items, especially handmade ones, is very high; for example, the most expensive piece in the world is estimated at $3 million.

IMPORTANT! High-quality ceramic teapots have one secret: they must be equipped with a “water lock”. The kettle is equipped with two holes: in the lid and in the spout itself. When pouring a hot drink, you just need to clamp the hole in the lid with your finger and the tea will not spill.

Simpler plastic models are used for everyday use and are several times cheaper than their porcelain brothers. But such budget variations have very dubious heat preservation properties. An alternative could be a glass teapot heated by a candle.

Device:

• With strainer, which retains tea leaves to obtain a pure drink;
• With metal flask, which makes it possible to regulate the strength of the infusion if you pull it out in time;
• With button (tipot) and two compartments. The flap between the upper and lower parts traps the tea leaves, preventing them from falling. This design is convenient for preparing tea using the famous Chinese pouring method. Experts allow up to 10 stages of brewing leaves alone.

Electric

The most modern and widespread type.The first simple models were a hybrid of a vessel and a heating plate. Only in the middle of the 20th century did they acquire modern shape with a heating element (heating element) and an automatic shut-off function.

Device:

• With open heating element. Contains an internal spiral for boiling water. The main disadvantage of such devices is scale on the heating element, which leads to most breakdowns;
• With closed heating element. The presence of a plate on the bottom protects against contact with liquid, due to which the service life of the device is significantly increased.

The most common electrical appliances are made of plastic and heat-resistant glass; the latest trends are ceramic items with high environmental characteristics. With the advent of new technologies, it has become possible to control the process of boiling and maintaining temperature using a smartphone.

Thermopot

Thermopot is a symbiosis of a kettle and a thermos.

IMPORTANT! The water boils in it for about 4 minutes and this, according to scientists, is the ideal time for the death of bacteria and filtering out all impurities and chlorine. The special thermal insulation material of the device maintains the required temperature for several hours. Thermopots often have a control element, a display and a manual pump for dispensing.

Conclusion

Each kettle model serves its own purpose. To observe the best traditions of tea ceremonies and enjoy the full spectrum of the aroma of a noble drink, dishes made from natural materials are suitable. The most functional and convenient in everyday life will be an electric device. Large families and budget-conscious people will appreciate the functionality and convenience of thermal pots.