| The European Teapot has become an | | | | freshly distinct look. The evolution of |
| American heirloom that most of us | | | | the teapot spanned hundreds of years to |
| thought originated here. Craftsmen and | | | | attain its present form. Today |
| glassblowers from Europe have | | | | teakettles can be found in large |
| immortalized their craft for the | | | | varieties ranging from clay, porcelain, |
| American market where most European | | | | glass to even stoneware. |
| Teakettles are sold as gifts. | | | | There are certain factors to be kept in |
| A teapot makes an attractive gift | | | | mind while selecting the rightteapot. |
| selection that adds character to a | | | | The European Teapot is the most sought |
| kitchen and is practical for daily | | | | after of all teakettles. Do remember to |
| purpose. A vast amount of history and | | | | check the following: |
| culture is attached to the teapot. Its | | | | 1.. Looks - A thing of beauty is a joy |
| invention dates back to the sixteenth | | | | forever. Selecting a European teapot |
| century. The aim behind creating this | | | | that is visually appealing is the first |
| kitchen staple was to provide a vessel | | | | step. It should look good enough to make |
| to brew and serve tea. | | | | a person long to use it. An attractive |
| Tea has been a popular beverage since | | | | teakettle becomes a conversation piece |
| its discovery in the third century. The | | | | and makes you want to show it off to |
| tea plant was first cultivated in the | | | | your guests. |
| fourth century. This plant is actually a | | | | 2.. Material - The right material is |
| tree of evergreen variety and can grow | | | | based on the use you want to put it to. |
| up to a height of about 50 feet. | | | | A clay or porcelain teapot is a good |
| However, for cultivation purposes, it is | | | | idea if you only want something to serve |
| usually pruned into bushes and allowed | | | | tea in. A special glass teapot is ideal |
| to grow up to a height of five feet. | | | | if you want to avoid unnecessary hassles |
| The discovery of tea has debatable | | | | as you can brew as well as serve tea in |
| origins. Some give credit to the Chinese | | | | it. It is sturdy enough to be used on |
| Emperor named Chen Nung who reigned | | | | the stovetop and at the same time, it |
| during the third century. It is said | | | | makes for pretty tea ware for your |
| that he once sat under a tree to boil | | | | guests. |
| water for drinking. The leaves of the | | | | 3.. Handle - Ensure that the handle is |
| tree Camellia sinensis dropped into his | | | | of a material that does not get heated |
| bowl. The resultant mixture was so tasty | | | | making it difficult to hold. This should |
| that it prompted tea making. | | | | be especially looked into while buying a |
| Some attribute the discovery of tea to a | | | | stovetop teapot. A handle that gets hot |
| Dharuma Buddhist monk who went to India | | | | on heating will only serve to increase |
| from China in the fifth century. It is | | | | your troubles and the risk of burning |
| reported he discovered a brewed drink | | | | your fingers. |
| from the leaves of the tea plant which | | | | 4.. Flow - A good teapot is one in which |
| assisted in keeping him alert and awake. | | | | the liquid will flow out smoothly |
| Tea making, as practiced in ancient | | | | through the spout without any risk of |
| times was not as simple as it is today. | | | | leakage. If the teapot is equipped with |
| In the eighth century, tea leaves were | | | | an infuser, its even better, as the tea |
| rolled manually and then dried. These | | | | will automatically be strained on |
| dried leaves were ground into a powder, | | | | pouring. |
| mixed with salt and shaped into cakes. | | | | 5.. Tightness - Keep in mind to check |
| To make tea, a cake was dropped into a | | | | that the lid of the teapot istightly |
| bowl of boiling water to form a thick | | | | fitted. This will ensure that tea will |
| fluid. In the later years, the loose | | | | remain hot longer and is an essential |
| powder began being used. The powder was | | | | for brewing good tea (in a glass teapot |
| mixed with hot water and a froth was | | | | only). |
| whipped up, steeped, and the mixture was | | | | 6.. Gravity center of the teapot - Try |
| poured. | | | | this small test. Fill the teapot with |
| Teapots were first introduced in China | | | | water to three-fourths of its capacity. |
| during the Ming Dynasty. They were made | | | | Lift and pour the water into a cup. If |
| of purple clay called "zisha". Teapots | | | | you find any difficulty or if the hand |
| were also known as teakettles and used | | | | becomes unbalanced, the teapot's gravity |
| in Europe only after 1610, when the | | | | center is not right. Reject such an item |
| Dutch importers introduced tea there. In | | | | immediately. |
| the eighteenth century teapots were made | | | | The style of European teapot is an ideal |
| of porcelain and contained artistic | | | | kitchen gift for any virtually any |
| paintings on its rounded surfaces. The | | | | occasion - a birthday, anniversary or |
| English added their touch by mixing bone | | | | Mother's Day. |
| ash with porcelain clay to give it a | | | | |