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