Buying a teapot and tea accessories – what to look for
- The shape of the teapot
- Practical tea accessories
- The right material
- Capacity
- How to clean teapots properly
- Summary
1. The shape of the teapot
Why are teapots round-bellied?
The rounder the belly of a teapot, the better the aroma of the tea leaves can develop in the water. The flavour compounds tend to stay at the bottom, where they can spread out evenly.
Unlike coffee pots, teapots have a spout positioned very low down. This means the concentrated aromas and tannins that collect at the bottom of the pot are poured straight into your cup rather than being left behind.
Teapots also have only a small lid opening, so that little air reaches the tea and it stays warm for longer.
2. Practical tea accessories
Teapots with an infuser
Many models have a built-in tea infuser. This is ideal for brewing loose-leaf tea without tea bags. When buying, make sure the infuser hangs deep enough in the pot and, ideally, can be removed once the tea has finished brewing.
Tea balls
Alternatively, you can buy tea infusers separately. A small tea ball is particularly practical if you only want to drink one cup of tea, as you can brew it directly in the cup.
Teapots with a warmer
With a teapot warmer heated by a tealight, you can keep your tea warm for a long time. Bear in mind, however, that the tea will continue to brew, which can change its flavour. Some teapots come with a built-in warmer. If you buy the warmer separately, make sure the dimensions of the teapot and warmer match.
Alternatively, there are also designer teapots with an insulating tea cosy that slips over the pot to keep the tea warm.
Tea makers
A tea maker is a vessel that looks like a teapot. It has an infuser insert that you fill with loose tea leaves before pouring boiling water over them. You'll find tea makers by Bodum, among other manufacturers.
Some designs let you simply press the infuser down once the tea has brewed. This stops the brewing process without having to remove the infuser. Depending on your preference, you can then pour the tea into a designer teapot or a practical vacuum jug.
Most tea makers are versatile and can also be used as coffee makers or, without the infuser, for boiling water.
3. Materials compared
When choosing a teapot, consider not only the design but also the different properties of the material.
Glass: Glass teapots are particularly straightforward and suitable for every type of tea, as no smells or flavours cling to glass. Because the material is transparent, you can watch the colour – and therefore the strength – of the tea as it brews and adjust it accordingly. Double-walled glass insulates: you can't feel the heat on the outside, and the tea inside stays hot for longer. Paired with matching glass cups and mugs, a glass teapot has a simple, elegant look.
Stainless steel: Teapots made of stainless steel and cast iron are known for retaining heat for a long time. As stainless steel teapots take on the flavour of the tea over time, they're best used for brewing similar teas.
Porcelain: Porcelain teapots stay neutral in smell and taste, so they're suitable for serving different teas. However, porcelain doesn't retain heat as well, so using a teapot warmer as well is recommended.
Traditional teapots are made of porcelain. The thinner the material, the finer and more precious they look. A thin-walled porcelain teapot is an eye-catcher and suits teas with light floral notes, green tea or herbal tea.
Ceramic: Ceramic has become a staple for everyday tableware, as it is very sturdy, heat-resistant and easy to clean. Over time, the unglazed interior of ceramic or clay teapots takes on the smell and taste of the tea. This patina enhances the aroma of black tea, for example. That's why it's best to use a ceramic teapot for just one type of tea, to prevent the flavours from mixing.
"Whether it's a festive Japanese-style tea ceremony, East Frisian tea with rock sugar and a dash of cream, or sweet and fragrant Middle Eastern tea – in many countries around the world, drinking tea is an integral part of the culture. And it's becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Perhaps a small, mindful ritual like a tea ceremony is something for you too?" – Kerstin, interior expert
4. The right capacity
Teapots are generally available with a capacity of between 0.5 and 2 litres. The right size depends on your personal needs.
Think about how many cups you'd like to get out of one teapot. The capacity of the cups you want to use also matters here.
Do you drink a lot of tea yourself or often have guests? The more tea you drink, the larger the pot should be, so it can fill enough cups. A teapot warmer keeps your tea warm for a long time.
5. How to clean teapots properly
In general, teapots are easy to clean: simply rinse them out with hot water. Glass and stainless steel teapots can often go in the dishwasher. You can find out whether a teapot is dishwasher-safe in the product details on the product pages at Connox. Tea infusers can often be cleaned separately.
Using washing-up liquid is not recommended. Not only can traces of washing-up liquid spoil the taste, but without it, a patina forms over time that tea lovers value as a flavour enhancer.
In hard-to-reach places, you can remove stubborn rings left by black tea or herbal teas with a soft brush and salt dissolved in water. Denture cleaning tablets or baking powder left to work in the teapot with water are also popular. After one to two hours, you can remove the residue with a sponge.
Please always follow the manufacturer's care instructions as well.
6. Summary – what to consider when buying a designer teapot and tea accessories online
- Teapots tend to be round-bellied, with a low spout and a small lid – this allows the aroma of the tea leaves to spread best in the water and keeps the tea warm for longer.
- If you prefer loose-leaf tea, a teapot with a built-in infuser is a good choice. Alternatively, tea infusers and small tea balls are also available separately. An additional teapot warmer keeps your tea warm.
- When it comes to size, the key factors are how much tea you drink and how often you use the teapot. The more tea you drink, the larger the pot should be.
- The properties of the material are particularly important for teapots. Do you like trying different teas? Then choose a teapot made of glass or porcelain. If you mainly drink one type of tea, stainless steel, cast iron, clay or ceramic are also options. Should your teapot keep the tea warm for as long as possible? Then choose a stainless steel pot – or one made of double-walled glass, which also keeps tea hot for longer.
- Whatever the teapot is made of, it should only be rinsed out with hot water. Glass teapots are often dishwasher-safe too.
Buy teapots and accessories online at Connox – your benefits at a glance
- High-quality original teapots from top design brands
- Personal support from our customer service team
- Fair delivery costs
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- Delivery in just a few working days
Shopping advice at Connox
Would you like to buy a designer teapot online but need some help? Our customer service team is always happy to help. We'll support you with advice while you shop, make recommendations and answer your questions quickly. Then simply sit back and have your chosen item delivered straight to your door.
