Best Teapots
A teapot can set the mood and the look for tea time. From elegant to fun and whimsical, here are my teapot picks for all occasions and in a range of prices.
Finding the Best Teapot
With so many teapot options out there, it’s hard to find the right one for your needs.
I’ll help you narrow down your choices and figure out what to look for.
What to Look for When Buying a Teapot
- Ceramic or porcelain or glass?
The answer? It depends. All three are great options for a teapot with pros and cons. Ceramic is sturdy and good for retaining tea but can be heavy. Porcelain is light and delicate but can be too dainty. Glass is perfect for herbal tea but doesn’t do well with retaining heat. - Stainless steel infuser
An infuser is a must! To brew tea properly, an infuser is your best friend. - Makes 2-4 cups
A teapot that holds 2-4 cups is the perfect size for serving tea at tea time. Too big and it becomes too heavy to pour without a mess.
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My Pick for Best Teapot:
I first saw this teapot in a cafe in Paris and loved everything about it. This is also what they use to serve tea at the Baccarat Hotel in NY.
It's porcelain, keeps tea warm with its removable felt-lined stainless steel cover, and comes with a large infuser. Plus, it looks super chic and modern.
The idea behind these stainless steel insulated ceramic teapots are genius since they work to keep the tea hot for longer since there's an extra layer of insulation.
(Here's the lower cost version on Amazon.)
Other Recommended Teapots:
Sweese Porcelain Tea Pot with Stainless Steel Infuser
Runner up for my pick of best teapot:
A cute teapot perfect for everyday use in simple, clean white.
Made of porcelain, the teapot makes enough tea for 2 cups and the infuser is made of stainless steel.
Teapot with Insulated Shell
This one has a similar look to my pick above but it's in a round shape. These were also all over high-end Paris cafes.
This teapot holds about 4 cups so it's great for entertaining.
Liberty London Glass Teapot
Gorgeous glass teapot with a glass infuser. Perfect for making herbal tea.
Liberty London ships to the US from the UK for free in 6 business days.
Hario Cha Kyusu Maru Glass Tea Pot
If you're not looking for anything fancy but something easy to use at home on a daily basis, this glass teapot is what you need.
It's super easy to clean with its large mesh strainer and wide opening at the top.
Porcelain Taormina Tea Pot
I'm adding this one just for fun. It's has a unique look I haven't seen anywhere else.
With gold trims and pink colored porcelain, this teapot is handmade in Italy.
This one ships out of Harrods in the UK so the shipping cost is steep. (Ahem, the teapot is $$$ but it'll definitely be a conversation starter.)
They also have it in blue.
Note: No infuser in this one!
Handmade Original Brown Betty 4 Cup Teapot
Brown Betty teapots are steeped (haha) in history.
Handmade in the UK since the 1600s, Brown Betty teapots are famous for their round shape, ability to retain heat, and for brewing a better cup of tea.
What makes Brown Betty so special is the red clay it's made from -- it'll keep the tea hotter for longer.
Check out Tea Happiness' post on Brown Betty to learn more about this teapot.
Note: No infuser in this one!
How to Pour a Teapot Properly
The last thing you want to do is make a mess when pouring from the teapot.
To pour the teapot properly, hold onto the handle with one hand and place your index finger from your other hand on top of the lid. This prevents the lid from coming off in case you tilt the teapot too far.
How to Make Tea Properly Cheat Sheet
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Difference Between Teapot and Kettle
Teapots are for brewing tea only, not for boiling water. Do not place a teapot directly onto a stovetop.
A kettle’s only purpose is to boil water and it’s not for steeping tea.
To prepare tea, use a kettle to boil water then pour the hot water into the teapot followed by scoops of tea.
For boiling water to the right temperature for tea, see Best Electric Kettles for Tea.
Difference Between Teapot and Coffee Pot
A teapot and coffee pot may look the same at first glance but there are small differences that distinguish one from the other.
The shape of the pot and where the spout is placed are the two things to look for.
A teapot is usually short and stout in shape (yup, like from “I’m a little teapot.”) to allow room for the tea leaves to unfurl.
A coffee pot is tall and slender so that the coffee grounds can easily settle to the bottom.
On a teapot, the spout is usually placed at the bottom of the body since tea leaves are busy floating at the top.
For a coffee pot, the spout is at the middle of the pot so that it’s not pouring out coffee grounds that have settled at the bottom of the pot.
Teapot Tips
- Warm up the teapot before pouring in hot tea. This prevents the tea from cooling down too quickly. Pour in some hot water and swirl it around then discard the water. Do the same with the tea cups you’ll be using.
- Don’t let the tea sit in water for too long. This will make your tea too strong and bitter. Either take out the tea bag. If using loose tea, make just enough tea for 1-2 servings per person. Add more hot water after the first or second cup.
- If you’re getting a teapot with an infuser, look for one that come with a big infuser that almost the same size as the teapot. The bigger the infuser, the more room your loose tea will have to steep properly.
