Bense Product Page
Making tea is essentially the process of breaking down the cell structure of tea leaves to release their flavour. Using the traditional method of Chinese tea-making, called Gong-Fu Cha (Tea With Great Skill), the teapot is perhaps the most important element in this process. The tea-maker must match the right size and shape of teapot, the type of clay and firing temperature with the right type of tea and the number of people being served. And since a teapot is something that may be used every day, it should should be something that is comfortable to handle, long lasting and pleasing to the eye.
Serious Gong-Fu Cha enthusiasts spend many hours debating the virtues of their teapots, but there is universal agreement on these four points:
Chinese clay teapots do not use glazing. The clay used remains porous and tea oils are intended to build up inside the teapot and over time, smooth the taste of tea and improve it by adding its own unique &#;taste&#; from the accumulated oils. Different teas are not made in the same teapot unless they are from the same family or class of teas, such as different types of green or oolongs, but even this is not ideal as some teas from the same family have a strong flavour and in time, their taste can transfer to a more delicately flavoured tea.
Your teapot will be your friend for many years so make sure there are no cracks or chips. It should have a good weight and balance and feel comfortable in the hand. The handle and lid should fit your fingers and the lid should fit precisely in the top opening with the opening just large enough to accommodate the size of leaves you will be using. A smaller opening tends to keep the fragrance of tea in the teapot whereas a larger opening allows the fragrance to escape. So tea with small or rolled leaves and high fragrance (Green, White, Oolongs) will benefit from a smaller opening. A larger opening is better for tea with large leaves and low fragrance (Black and Pu-Erh).
The spout should be large enough to allow the tea to pour freely. Gong Fu Cha (the Chinese method of tea preparation) develops the taste of tea quickly with fast brew times so the hole of the spout needs to be as large as possible to not constrict the flow of tea being poured, which would make the brew times longer. Check other sized teapots to ensure the spout is proportional to the size of teapot. Many newer teapots come with a strainer built-in. If your teapot does not have a strainer, ask to have one inserted inside the spout. For more information about Gong Fu Cha, see our guide: .
The five main elements for choosing a teapot are:
The first thing to consider when looking for a teapot is to select the right size of teapot to suit the number of people you will be making tea for most of the time. Teapots come in a variety of sizes but can be generally grouped the following way:
Chart - Teapot Sizes for Number of People Served
Size of Teapot
Volume of Teapot (ml / fl oz) (approximate)
Number of People Served
#1 size
70 ml / 2.4 fl oz
1 &#; 2 people
# 2 size
100 ml / 3.4 fl oz
2 &#; 4 people
# 3 size
175 ml / 6.0 fl oz
3 &#; 5 people
3 &#; 5 people
# 4 size
225 ml / 7.6 fl oz
4 &#; 6 people
Shopping for teapots can be confusing so the Size of Teapot numbers indicated above correspond quite well to the number of people being served. If you usually drink tea alone or with one other person, the #2 size for 2 persons would be a good start. If a few more people come over for tea, you can simply make more brews. If you have a favourite tea that you serve often to many guests, consider getting a larger teapot for that tea.
The different shapes of teapots allow for the different types of leaves to expand in their own unique way to maximize the surface area exposed to water while brewing inside the teapot. Teapots come in 2 basic profiles: high profile and low profile and each is suited to a number of teas.
Chart: Teapot Shapes For Type of Tea &#;
Taiwan Oolong (High Profile)
Green/White Tea (High Profile)
Tie Guan Yin (Gun Yam, Iron Buddha,
Chinese Oolong, Buddha of Mercy) (Low Profile)
Chinese Black Tea (known as Red Tea in China)
Pu-Erh (Bow Lay) (High Profile)
Da Hong Pao (Cliff Tea) & Phoenix Tea (Low Profile)
A Decorative Teapot (Low Profile)
Collecting interesting looking teapots can be an enjoyable and rewarding hobby but one should not confuse a good tea-making teapot with a decorative one. Notice that all the shapes above except for the decorative one follow very simple designs. The reason for the lack of ornamentation is because tea is very sensitive to heat fluctuations and the best teapots distribute heat evenly. Decorations create different densities in the teapot, which can create hot and cool spots. Another reason is that with Gong Fu Cha, hot water is poured over a teapot during brewing and the water will be deflected by awkward angles, creating further hot and cool spots inside the teapot during brewing.
Unlike Western pottery-making techniques where &#;earth-clays&#; are turned on a wheel, the more rigid quality of Zisha clay enables the component parts of a teapot to be made in advance and then assembled piece by piece. There are 3 types of manufacture:
Handmade teapots are formed into shape by an artist who hand cuts the pieces and assembles them into shape using traditional tools such as wooden picks and paddles. In preparing Zisha clay to make the various parts of a handmade teapot, it is folded many times, somewhat like in the manufacture of Japanese katana (samurai sword). This folding strengthens the clay and creates micro channel air pockets in the clay which allows air to move in both directions through the teapot. This &#;dual-porosity&#; characteristic is thought to provide additional oxygen to the tea while brewing and as wine drinkers know, oxygen intensifies flavour.
Half-handmade is assembling machine-molded pieces by hand with traditional tools. Many good teapots using Zisha clay are made in this way.
Molded teapots are made by a mass-production process of assembling pre-molded pieces by machine, such as the two halves of the teapot and lid and attaching a pre-molded spout and handle. Even though molded teapots are not as valuable as handmade or half-handmade teapots, many are made with Yixing clay and are still superior for tea-making than glazed or porcelain teapots.
There is a certain pride in owning a handmade teapot, especially if it is made by a famous artist. The making of teapots is a highly skilled art and some Zisha teapots from famous artists are collectors&#; items and fetch very high prices, especially if from the &#;s or &#;s or even from the Qing Dynasty ( &#;). Antique teapots are prized because no two are alike, with each one having a unique history, patina, &#;taste&#; and &#;personality&#;. Knowing antiques requires highly specialized knowledge so only deal with an expert you can trust.
Yixing (Yee-zhing) clay is the famous clay from the Yixing region of Jiangsu Province in Central China from which the finest teapots have been made for centuries. There are many types of Yixing clay but they can generally be grouped into two grades of quality:
&#;Earth-clay&#; is typically used to make mid-grade quality teapots which are widely available in many designs at affordable prices. It&#;s natural colour is white. The superior &#;stone-clay&#; is known as Zisha or &#;Purple Clay&#; (even though the colour of the clay may not necessarily be purple) and comes naturally in a variety of colours. So Zisha Clay is also known as &#;Natural&#; or &#;Original&#; Clay.
The unique granular structure and mineral composition of Zisha clay gives it excellent heat handling properties that are unsurpassed for maintaining a stable temperature in a teapot, thereby mitigating temperature fluctuations which can diminish the flavour of tea. The mineral and metal content of Zisha includes iron oxide, kaolinite, quartz and mica, making these teapots very strong when fired and resistant to damage when compared to more delicate Western pottery. High quality Yixing clay is 3-6 times less absorbent than other clays which helps these teapots to retain the fragrance of teas.
Chart: Quality of Yixing Clay
Yixing &#;Earth&#; Clay (this example is artificially coloured to look like Zisha &#;Wuni&#; Black Clay) Yixing &#;Stone&#; ClayThere are 3 basic compositions of clays which are often mixed together in an infinite variety of combinations.
Chart: Composition of Clay
Yixing Zisha &#;Purple&#; Clay. This example has no mixed clay so it could also be calledQing Shui Ni Mixed Clay (Pingni) Artificial (Coloured) Clay
When clays are mixed, they are called Pingni. &#;Natural&#; or &#;Original&#; Zisha clays are often mixed together to make traditional and new colours. Natural and artificial colours can be mixed or overlayed with each other in various designs. Quite often a small quantity of Yixing earth-clay or even Zisha is added to a lower grade non-Yixing clay and the teapot is then sold as a &#;Yixing Teapot&#;. While technically correct, this can be mis-leading.
&#;Artificial&#; clay (Yixing &#;earth&#; clay and/or non-Yixing clay) is clay that is coloured with artificial dyes, often duplicating natural Zisha colours. These teapots do not perform as well as Zisha teapots and will not look as nice over time as the colour will fade compared to teapots made from Zisha clays which retain their natural colour.
Assessing the quality of a teapot by the colour of the clay is a highly specialized skill and the source of much debate among experts. Here&#;s a few guidelines to help you understand Chinese teapots by their colours.
The natural colour of Yixing &#;earth clay&#; is white. Zisha clay comes in a variety of natural colours, of which the most prized are:
Chart: Colours of Zisha Clay
Hongni (Red) (Purple) not to be confused with Zisha (&#;Purple Clay&#;) which describes the entire class of natural colour, high-mineral Yixing clays made from stone Duani (Yellow) Heini or Wuni (Black) Luni (Green)There is an another type of Zisha red clay called Zhuni which is extracted from a rare type of rock vein. The teapots made from this clay are made oversized and fired at a special low temperature (about 1,080F / 582C) and for a much longer time than other teapots. Zhuni teapots shrink during firing, making the clay extremely hard and dense. If you look closely, you can see fine &#;wrinkles&#; in the clay from the shrinkage. Even though the firing is performed with the highest degree of precision, the process is so sensitive that over half an entire batch of teapots will crack leaving just a few good ones. Zhuni teapots usually have a distinct red or orange colour and produce a high pitched sound when tapped. Needless to say, Zhuni teapots are very rare and very expensive. The markets abound with teapots claiming to be &#;real Zhuni&#;, both new and antique, so don&#;t even consider buying one of these unless you have access to a trusted expert who can verify the clay for you.
ZhuniDifferent types of clays are fired at low or high temperatures to make certain types of teapots. Teapots made from more porous clay are low-fired and are made thicker to hold heat longer which is good for Chinese Black Teas (called Red Teas in China) and Pu-Erh Teas. High-fired teapots for teas such as Green, White and Oolongs use a finer, thinner clay and will cool faster, preventing these more delicate teas from &#;cooking&#; in the teapot. High-fired Zisha clays tend to have more of a reddish colour while low-fired Zisha clays tend to have more of a brown colour. High-fired teapots are less porous and retain aroma compared to low-fired teapots which are more porous and used for less aromatic teas.
Chart: Firing Type
High-Fired Zisha Clay Low-Fired Zisha ClayNew high quality, high-fired teapots have a clear and distinct ring like a little bell when you lift up the lid about a quarter of an inch and allow it to drop gently on to the teapot (make sure you are holding the teapot on the flat of your hand so it is not damping the teapot in any way). In most cases, the higher the pitch and the longer the ring, the finer the quality.
Teapots used for Black and Pu-Erh Tea are thicker and made from a more porous clay than other teapots and don&#;t have the distinctive bright ringing sound &#; but this has nothing to do with the quality. These types of teapots are selected by an examination of the clay which usually has a rougher texture than teapots used for other teas.
Older teapots have a distinctive patina from the infusion of tea oils and constant use which can dull the pitch. Many new teapots have a similar shine from a wax coating that is applied to protect the clay and make them look nice on the shelf. (see how to remove this coating below).
Antique teapots have a history (verifiable or not) and have been infused with tea oils over many years. They can produce a decided &#;thunk&#; rather than a clear ring because of the accumulation of oils in the clay but can still be of the finest quality. But remember, you are in the antique game now so buyer beware!
Shopping Checklist
Chart - Selecting A Chinese Teapot By Profile And Method Of Firing
HIGH PROFILE High Fired Clay Low Fired ClayMost Green/White Teas
any tea made from "tips"
Taiwan Oolong
Pu-erh LOW PROFILETie Guan Yin (also called Chinese Oolong, Iron Buddha, Buddha of Mercy
Da Hong Pao
Phoenix Tea
Lapsang Souchong and other Chinese Black Teas (known as Red teas in China)Here is a checklist of points to keep in mind when you are shopping for a teapot:
New teapots come with a wax coating to protect the clay and make them look shiny on the shelf (and also make them look like more expensive antique teapots). This coating must be removed before making tea. Here&#;s how to remove the coating and season the clay:
Always pour any extra tea you might have over your teapot and give it an occasional polish with a soft cloth. This will help to build up the oils allowing your teapot to contribute its own &#;taste&#; to the tea and create its own unique patina.
If you should ever decide that you wish to use a teapot for making another type of tea, simply re-season the teapot per the above steps. There may be a break-in period with older pots.
Glass and porcelain teapots are &#;flavour neutral &#; and unlike clay teapots, do not change the taste of tea in any way as their impermeable surfaces do not absorb any tea oils and can be rinsed clean after each use. These are good for testing and comparing teas. You might want try a new tea in a glass or porcelain teapot before you make it in your clay teapot to compare how your clay teapot is affecting the taste.
If you want to save money or are a traditionalist, you can use a gai wan which is an inexpensive porcelain cup with a lid and base that comes in many sizes and can be used for all teas. Glass teapots are often used for Green, White and &#;blooming&#; teas as they do not absorb the delicate tea fragrance like some clay teapots and you can see the leaves expanding in a pretty display. But a high quality, high-fired Zisha clay teapot is still superior to glass and porcelain and like all clay teapots, improves the taste of tea.
Visit our Library for more details on tea and tea-making
There's a reason teapots have been around for thousands of years. They are the most reliable way to balance even the subtlest flavors, whether it's from teabags or, more commonly, loose-leaf tea. With so many options out there, though, it's difficult to know what teapot to buy. That's why we've tested some of the best teapots available today. No matter how you take your tea, we've got the perfect teapot for you.
Best Overall
TMOST Glass Teapot with Infuser
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon
$20 at Amazon
What We Like
Stovetop, microwave, and dishwasher safe
Easy to use
Sleek design
What We Don't Like
Only makes 3-4 cups
If you are looking for a versatile, everyday teapot that can brew hot and cold tea, looks sleek, and outperforms the competition, the TMOST Glass Teapot Kettle with Infuser is our top pick. This model holds three to four cups of tea in borosilicate glass so durable that you can put it directly on a gas stovetop. When the stainless steel parts are removed it can also go in the microwave to warm up your tea when it cools down a little. An added bonus is that it's dishwasher safe, so you can clean it easily after a long day.
The teapot also scores points for ease of use. It comes with helpful instructions and a handy chart that indicates the required water temperature and brewing time for different types of tea. We tested the teapot by brewing loose-leaf earl grey tea. The flavor was excellent and the filter completely removed all sediment.
Anyone who has ever poured hot water out of a teapot knows that burns do happen, but this lid is designed to stay cool so your fingers stay safe. And the ergonomic handle allows for a firm grip while holding the pot while the spout is spill-free. If the 32-ounce capacity is too small for avid tea drinkers, it's also available in 43 ounces. Overall, we were impressed with the teapot's high-quality design and user-friendly operation.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 32 or 43 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.7 x 5.9 inches
The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Hiware Glass Teapot
PHOTO: Amazon
$23 at Amazon
What We Like
Attractive design
Easy to handle
Microwave and dishwasher safe
Non-spill spout
What We Don't Like
Stovetop capability is questionable
Hiware Glass Teapot Kettle with Infuser Review
The Hiware Glass Teapot is similar to our best overall option but comes in at a lower price. It not only has a stylish silhouette, complete with a large handle and slightly goosenecked spout, but you can also see the beautiful colors emerge in your tea as it steeps. The material is ideal to showcase flowering teas, too, should you choose to steep openly in the pot instead of using the included stainless steel infuser filter.
We tested a slightly larger version of this item, but this model holds roughly 34 ounces, which is more than enough for a few cups of tea. The borosilicate glass can be placed directly on gas or electric stovetops. However, the instructions aren't clear about whether or not water can be boiled directly in the teapot so we decided against it.
Overall, we were pleased with its performance. It brewed flavorful black tea that was free of sediment thanks to the mesh strainer. For a couple of extra bonuses, the teapot can go in the microwave when the stainless steel parts are removed, and it can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning after a long day. The affordable price is in line with ceramic teapots, so you're not paying a premium for the glass design.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 33.8 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.1 x 5.4 inches
The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh
The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh
The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh
The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh
Best Color Options
Sweese Porcelain Teapot
PHOTO: Amazon
$26 at Amazon
What We Like
Affordably priced
Multiple color options
Large handle
Giftable
What We Don't Like
Not the smoothest pouring
Mixed reviews on lid
This 27-ounce teapot is both elegant and adorable. The round handle and slightly gooseneck spout give the item a classic silhouette, and it's available in a number of vibrant and glossy colorways, ranging from a timeless white to an eye-catching turquoise. It also comes with a convenient stainless steel infuser that works with both bagged and loose tea.
The teapot is on the smaller side, but its capacity is sufficient for personal use&#;you can expect to brew about two to three cups at a time. Avid tea drinkers or customers who often host parties will be pleased to know that Sweese makes a nearly identical teapot at 40 ounces&#;the main difference is that the larger teapot does not include an infuser.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Glass Teapot Manufacturers in China.
This particular teapot is praised for its value for money, and also makes an excellent gift. One thing to keep in mind is that the porcelain material is durable, but not entirely resistant to chips and scratches.
Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 27 or 40 ounces | Infuser: Yes (27-ounce model only) | Dimensions: 5.2 x 5 x 8.5 inches
Best Budget
Bodum Assam Tea Press with Stainless Steel Filter
PHOTO: Amazon
$20 at Amazon
$20 at Target
$29 at Wayfair
What We Like
Value for money
Dishwasher safe
Plunger stops steeping process
What We Don't Like
Works best when brewing a full pot
Bodum's Assam Tea Press offers more than a standard teapot and yet it comes at an unbeatably low price. The 34-ounce glass teapot has a large steel infuser, which is nothing out of the ordinary so far, but the unique detail is that the infuser can be plunged to stop the steeping process. This ensures that your tea won't steep for too long and become bitter, which is especially convenient when you make a full pot of tea and want to take your time drinking it. One of the only downsides is that the infuser isn't perforated at the bottom, so tea leaves don't diffuse as well if you only make two or three cups at a time.
When you're done drinking your tea, all parts are dishwasher-safe. Pouring is smooth despite the item's short spout. The plastic handle is surprisingly sturdy as well.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 34 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 5.9 x 6.4 x 7.5 inches
Best Stoneware
RSVP Stoneware Teapot
PHOTO: Amazon
$25 at Amazon
$31 at Walmart
View on Bed Bath & Beyond
What We Like
Excellent value
Stylish and available in many colors
Strong, comfortable handle
What We Don't Like
No infuser
Stoneware, like earthenware and porcelain, is a type of ceramic material that's used to make all kinds of pottery, kitchenware, and more. It's especially well-liked because of its durability and the variety of finishes it comes in. As a result, stoneware is a wonderful blend of function and style&#;two words that can also be applied to RSVP's Stoneware Teapot.
The item is available in a size of 16 or 42 ounces, as well as a number of striking colors. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with an infuser like many other teapots, but it is dishwasher- and microwave-safe for added convenience. It also has a sturdy handle. The stoneware material is thick enough to retain heat well too, so you can sip your tea leisurely and enjoyably, just like you're meant to.
Material: Stoneware | Capacity: 16 or 42 ounces | Infuser: No | Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 6 inches
Best Ceramic
Tealyra Daze Ceramic Teapot
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon
$25 at Amazon
What We Like
Unique silhouette
Large infuser
Smooth pouring
What We Don't Like
Small capacity
Lid doesn't always stay in place
Ceramic teapots are widely lauded for their excellent heat retention, easiness to clean, and timeless aesthetic. Tealyra's Daze Ceramic Teapot has all these wonderful traits, plus it's available in seven colors to match any personality or kitchen décor. It has a 27-ounce capacity and the ceramic body is built to resist high temperatures and stand the test of time, but is slightly small for our liking. The extra-fine stainless-steel strainer prevents the smallest leaves from floating into your tea, resulting in the perfect cup. The pot doesn't drip when the tea is poured and it also makes a great gift for a friend who also cherishes a warm spot of tea on a cold day.
Material: Ceramic | Capacity: 27 or 47 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.69 x 6.54 x 6.3 inches
These Infusers Steep Brew-Tea-Ful Cups of Tea
Best Set
Sweejar British Royal Series Tea Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$73 at Amazon
View on Sweejar.com
What We Like
Great for entertaining
Durable porcelain
Beautiful design, multiple colorways
What We Don't Like
Rack is not included
With 22 gorgeous pieces, this tea set has everything you need to entertain. There are six teacups, six saucers, six teaspoons, a sugar bowl, a cream pitcher, stainless steel filter, and, of course, a gleaming 28-ounce teapot. Every piece in the set is crafted from white porcelain and accented with elegant gold trim. The porcelain is surprisingly sturdy and the pieces are also dishwasher safe but should not be used in the microwave or on the stovetop.
What really separates this Pukka Home set from other options is its value for money. The price is extremely reasonable when considering the quality and number of pieces included, and it also makes a great gift. If you&#;re looking for a pop of color, Pukka Home not only makes the set in Pure White but in Milk Purple and Young Pink as well. Keep in mind, however, that the set does not include the display stand used in photographs.
Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 28 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.5 x 5 inches
The 10 Best Tea Samplers in
Best High-End
Royal Albert Old Country Roses 3-Piece Tea Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$200 at Amazon
$197 at Walmart
$210 at Wayfair
What We Like
Fine bone china
Beautiful design
Other sets available in same pattern
What We Don't Like
Hand-wash recommended
No teaspoon
You can't go wrong with any of Royal Albert's teapots or tea sets. The British company has been crafting gorgeous fine bone china for over 100 years. We chose the Old Country Roses motif because it's one of Royal Albert's best-selling designs. The company also makes dozens of pieces with the same lush floral pattern&#;including serving trays, napkin rings, and wine glasses&#;so you can expand your china collection whenever you like, all in a matching design.
This set includes a 42-ounce teapot, sugar bowl, and cream jug. While it doesn't come with cups and saucers, we love that it provides three essential pieces at a price only slightly higher than buying the teapot by itself. If need be, teacups in the Old Country Roses pattern can be purchased separately at a number of sites online.
Material: Fine bone china | Capacity: 42 ounces | Infuser: No | Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.5 x 10.5 inches
Best Cast Iron
Old Dutch International Cast Iron Sapporo Teapot
PHOTO: Amazon
$27 at Amazon
What We Like
Unique design
Extremely durable
Includes infuser
What We Don't Like
Small capacity
This Japanese-inspired cast iron teapot is ideal for brewing small batches of loose-leaf tea for yourself or a guest. Iron teapots are traditionally heavier, as the weight of the iron helps retain heat for an extended length of time, which is ideal for long-brewing and taste. This item strikes the perfect balance between function and design, however, as it's on the lighter side for iron models, clocking in at 2.8 pounds. It's also equipped with enamel lining for rust resistance. This teapot is dependable enough to use daily and the iron design looks great in any kitchen. We only wish it was slightly larger.
Material: Cast iron | Capacity: 20 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.25 x 6 inches
Best for Office
Saki Chaiovar Electric Samovar
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon
$165 at Amazon
$216 at Wayfair
What We Like
Large capacity
Water stays hot for three hours
Easy to use
Can steep individual cups
What We Don't Like
Can't select specific temperature
Temperature only in Celsius
Samovars have been used to heat water and steep tea since the 18th century. Saki takes this age-old design&#;kettle on the bottom, teapot on top&#;and adds all the modern touches needed to make several drinks with ease. We received the Chaiovar Electric Samovar for testing purposes and gave it an all-around high rating for design, durability, and performance.
The main part is a stainless steel kettle with an immense capacity of 135 ounces. At the touch of a button, the full kettle gets to 212 degrees Fahrenheit in 17 minutes. Naturally, it's even faster when using less water. You can then place the 34-ounce porcelain teapot or a single mug under the spigot to brew tea. One criticism we have is that the water automatically heats to 212 degrees Fahrenheit rather than allowing for specific temperatures to be selected. So if you're making matcha, for example, you have to keep an eye on the temperature and pour when it gets to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. It also only reads in Celsius, so some quick conversions may be necessary.
The samovar can certainly be used for individual or household use, but it's especially well-suited for offices and events given the large capacity and three-hour temperature hold. It's also more expensive than an average teapot and tea kettle combined; though, the price is reasonable considering how unique the item is and the sturdiness of its parts.
Material: Porcelain teapot and stainless steel kettle | Capacity: Teapot is 34 ounces and kettle is 135 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 11.2 x 14 x 20 inches
Best Gaiwan
Harney & Sons Gaiwan
PHOTO: Amazon
$13 at Harney.com
What We Like
Affordable
Ideal for lighter teas
Saves space
What We Don't Like
Small capacity
May require learning curve
Gaiwans have been a common tea-making instrument in China for hundreds of years and are a staple of Gong Fu brewing&#;a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. According to Shunan Teng, founder and CEO of Tea Drunk, a gaiwan has "become a symbol of the highest quality of tea brewing, even though in China it's quite commonplace." She added that it offers people more control over their tea than a teapot does.
This gaiwan from Harney & Sons is made of 100 percent porcelain and has a capacity of 4 ounces. The white porcelain is especially useful for seeing the color of the tea liquor to know when steeping is done. Like many gaiwans, this model comes at a budget price and is cheaper than the vast majority of teapots out there; granted, you sacrifice the larger capacities that teapots offer. The item is not dishwasher safe and should be rinsed by hand after use.
Keep in mind that it may take some time to get comfortable with a gaiwan if you haven't used one before. A little skill and practice are required to secure the lid and hold the edges without burning your hand on the hot porcelain. Once you've got the technique down, however, the Harney & Sons gaiwan will lead to fast and delicious tea.
Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 4 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.25 inches
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Double Wall Coffee Cups Wholesale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.