The Timeless Appeal Of Japanese Teapots

By Author: vikram Kuamr
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Japan has almost as long a tradition in making teapots as China, and antique Japanese teapots have an elegant, timeless appeal. Modern versions of these traditional styles are highly sought after, and cast iron Japanese teapots are perhaps the most popular.

Cast iron is a perfect material for Japanese teapots, whether you are buying antique, secondhand, or new; iron retains heat, keeping your tea hot for a good long while after it is brewed, and is pretty well indestructible, so will last for many years, and many brews. If you are searching for a cast iron Japanese teapot there are many designs to choose from, ranging from the rounded styles of Tetsubin, Tenshi and Hiyaku teapots to the flatter Shinzen shape. All of these Japanese teapots are perfectly designed for practical use and longevity, and can be matched with trivets, cups, and other accessories in a similar style. Unless you purchase a cast iron teapot with an enamel inner lining, you can use the teapot as a kettle, too, which eliminates the need for heating the pot separately before adding the tea itself.

On the other hand, ceramic teapots have their ...
... advantages, too. Ceramic teapots are lighter than cast iron ones, still good at heat retention, and can be just as attractive. Their brewing qualities are great, too; only the real tea connoisseur will be able to tell which material a tea has been brewed in and, if you are such a connoisseur, the choice between a ceramic teapot and a cast iron one will depend on your personal taste. Ceramic teapots are somewhat more prone to accidents, though, and so tend to be not quite such a long term investment.

In terms of aesthetics, the range of Japanese teapots available is so broad that you are sure to find one you like; do be sure to pick up and weigh the pot in your hand to test how comfortable it feels, and bear in mind that it will weigh considerably more when full of liquid! Most will have a top handle, rather like a basket, as opposed to a side handle, as modern teapots tend to have, which can make them more difficult to control when pouring, but it's an acquired ability, and you will get used to it. You can also find Japanese-style ceramic teapots with a side handle situated only 90º away from the spout, which do take some getting used to, but again, with time, you'll be sure to master it!

Whichever style or material you decide on in the end, a really good teapot can make tea drinking a real pleasure, which is, of course, what the original Japanese designs were all about. In the west, tea drinking may not be quite such a formal affair as it once was, and to a degree still is, in the east, but the proper equipment can heighten our enjoyment of the practice, whether with friends or alone. So go on, treat yourself!

Author Bio.

Find yourself a fabulous Japanese teapot at The Exotic Teapot company. Whether you go for a cast iron or Ceramic teapot, they'll deliver quickly and safely, and even gift wrap it if you so wish!