Savoring Tea is a form of enjoyment and an art of living. The Teapot, for the tea connoisseur, is the cradle that nurtures the tea leaves. It endures hardship and toil, silently holding and developing the aroma and flavor of the tea – this is both the task and spirit of a teapot.
When selecting a teapot, one should not be confined to narrow considerations. After all, valuing rarity or prestige is more suited to antique collectors or experts. Generally speaking, a new teapot that meets basic criteria, if properly maintained and adept at developing aroma and flavor, is sufficient. Therefore, whether ancient or modern, a good teapot is always desirable.
The teapot is the centerpiece of tea ware, and the focus of the tea brewing process that most influences personal experience. Thus, whether in selecting or maintaining a teapot, proper methods must be followed. This article lists seven key principles for selecting a teapot for your consideration. These are: aesthetics, material quality, pot flavor, precision, water pouring, balance, and suitability. Here they are:
I. Aesthetics
Everyone has different tastes when it comes to aesthetics. The aesthetics referred to here primarily concern personal preference. For the shape and appearance of the teapot, choose what pleases you personally; as long as you find it visually satisfying, it represents your sense of beauty. After all, it's a teapot you will use yourself, so why should it conform to popular trends?
II. Material Quality
Teapots used for brewing tea are generally made of clay, as clayware absorbs moisture and is opaque, with a more rustic and friendly appearance than porcelain. Inscriptions on clay teapots also have a more poetic flair, which is why clay teapots are generally more popular than porcelain ones for tea brewing. When evaluating the quality of a teapot, consider the texture and color of its body; a firmer texture and lustrous color are preferable. To test the firmness of the texture, place the teapot in your palm and gently tap the lid, listening for a clear and resonant sound. A dull sound indicates insufficient strength and poorer heat conduction, while a sharp and piercing sound means the teapot retains heat too well, requiring careful adjustment when brewing tea. In short, the sound should be pleasant to the ear, but make sure the teapot is clean before testing. This applies when choosing a new teapot. However, when handling an antique teapot, tapping it may cause anxiety for its owner, something to keep in mind.
III. Pot Flavor
When purchasing a new teapot, pay attention to any smell inside the pot. Some new teapots may have a slight earthy scent, which is acceptable, but if there is a burnt smell or other unpleasant odors such as oil or artificial coloring, it is best to avoid them.
IV. Precision
The precision of a teapot refers to how closely the lid fits the body. The tighter the fit, the better, as it prevents the tea aroma from dispersing. To test this, fill the teapot with water up to one-third or half, then press the air hole with your hand and tilt the teapot to pour the water out. If no water leaks out, it indicates a precise fit. Alternatively, pressing the spout and inverting the teapot without the lid falling off also demonstrates high precision.
V. Water Pouring
The water pouring performance of a teapot largely depends on the design of the spout. When tilting the teapot to pour water, it should empty completely without leaving any drops. The flow can be forceful or gentle, depending on personal preference. However, a weak or uneven flow is always a flaw. Sometimes, comparing the length of the concentrated stream (the “converging segment”) can also help determine quality, with longer streams being preferable.
VI. Balance
Does the teapot feel comfortable when lifted? This depends not only on the curve and thickness of the handle but also on whether the handle's fulcrum is located (or close to) the center of gravity of the teapot when filled with water. To test this, fill the teapot about three-quarters full, then lift it horizontally and slowly pour the water out. If it feels balanced, it is well-designed; otherwise, if it requires a strong grip or feels unstable, it is poorly designed. There is also a method called the “half-litron test,” which involves placing a dry teapot lightly on the water surface; if it can float with half a litron of water, it is considered “level.”
VII. Suitability
The characteristics of the teapot, when matched with the type of tea, can enhance the overall experience. Generally, teapots with higher frequency sounds are suitable for brewing fragrant teas like green tea, as fragrance is enhanced by warmth. Conversely, teapots with lower frequency sounds are better suited for brewing full-bodied teas like Oolong or Tieguanyin, as excessive heat retention can detract from the smoothness and richness of the flavor, making it harder to control. These distinctions are subtle and not always easy to discern, but with keen observation, one can tell the difference.