Glass teapots: choices, pros and cons
Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine drinking tea without a teapot. It is an essential element of kitchen utensils. And many housewives pay special attention to this subject, trying to choose a beautiful and reliable teapot that will show itself well in business and become a decoration of the kitchen.
Advantages and disadvantages of the material
Such dishes are made from ceramics, glass, cast iron and porcelain. Aesthetics lovers prefer glass teapots. In them, one can observe the overflow of tea shades - from pale yellow to rich honey, from slightly greenish to deeper green.
The brewing utensils are made of heat-resistant glass. Glass teapots do not absorb odors and do not emit harmful substances. When brewing various types of tea, you can not be afraid that the drink will lose its properties, taste and aroma.
The transparent appearance is eye-catching.
Due to its transparency, it is possible to regulate the brewing of tea by strength. Plus, brewing tea will be a fun process. It is a pleasure to watch the drink gradually acquire a golden or dark woody color.
Another advantage of glass teapots is their simple appearance. Glass is suitable for any interior and will become a stylish laconic attribute of the kitchen. Glassware is easy to clean, it does not absorb dirt, and there are no traces of tea plaque on the walls. Also, these kettles can be washed in the dishwasher.
Despite most of the positive aspects, the glass teapot has several disadvantages. One of them is the cooling property of glass.Tea in glassware cools quickly. Also, glass models are not suitable for long tea ceremonies, as cooling tea tends to tarnish, loses its purity and transparency. Another disadvantage: intolerance to temperature changes.
Varieties of teapots
The range of teapots made of heat-resistant glass is very diverse.
Heat-resistant glass is resistant not only to boiling water temperature, but also to heating more than 300 degrees.
Therefore, the teapot is also used to boil water. The standard volume of models is 0.5-1 liters. To choose a glass teapot, you need to know what type of tea it is intended for and how the brewing process will take place.
Examples of products and features of types are presented in the list below.
Transparent teapot with filter flask
This is the easiest way to brew loose tea. With the help of a flask, the drink is filtered from small tea leaves and leaves. The filtered tea is clear and has a rich aroma... For connoisseurs of the drink, dishes with a strainer are also suitable. The overflow filter in the form of a strainer is located on the spout of the teapot, which makes the brewing process bewitching, and the drink becomes transparent without particles of tea leaves. Brewing in this way reveals the entire aromatic bouquet and richness of the tea.
French press
Convenient and practical to use. The design of the model looks like a flask with a press inside, which holds the tea leaves and prevents them from seeping into the drink. A French press is also great for making coffee. Strong and durable models are made of heat-resistant glass and stainless steel. Minus: the drink cools quickly in a glass flask.
Teapot for brewing "gongfu tipot"
The complex design is distinguished by its functionality and practicality. The model includes a brewing net, a teapot and a drain. The brewing process is very fun. You can brew tea in any conditions and without electricity. After boiling water enters the teapot, the drink is gradually brewed and acquires the desired shade of strength. In order for the tea leaves to sink to the bottom, you must press the button.
There are also models of teapots with double walls. Thanks to this structure of the body, the tea retains its temperature and aroma for a long time, acquiring a rich taste.
Models with a strainer on a wooden lid are considered simple and convenient. A small filter is attached to the inside of the lid in the form of a key ring. The key chain is made of steel or silicone, depending on the type of teapot.
Another interesting model of a glass teapot is presented product with a stand. The stand is used to heat the dishes from the flame of a candle. The candle heats up the kettle and creates a romantic atmosphere in the process.
There are glass models with stainless steel strainer and porcelain handle and lid. The lid and handle can be hand painted to add style and aesthetics to the look. Such models are suitable for a festive table setting and cheer up.
Stylish teapot model with wooden legs will become an integral part of the tea ceremony. The kettle does not require a stand, as the wooden legs protect the table surface from contact with hot glass.
For those who love luxury, manufacturers release glass models with metal inserts, decorated in the color of gilding... The set includes a stand to protect the table from heat and dripping.
As a rule, glass teapots are spherical. This type of body correctly reveals the tea bouquet and gives the drink a rich aroma and taste. Square or cubic shapes should be large for the tea leaves to have more room.
When choosing the shape of the teapot, it should be borne in mind that complex models are not easy to clean from the tea leaves.
Hard-to-reach places of the dishes must be kept clean and free of welding particles in time. Therefore, if the dishes are not washed immediately, you need to buy models that can be washed in the dishwasher.
It is much easier to operate cylindrical glass teapots made of heat-resistant material. Models have a small spout. The nose is not long, so it is easy to clean it from the remains of tea leaves and plaque. These items look good in combination with glass cups.
Top Models
The variety of teapots made of glass is great, but there are those that have already proven themselves in the consumer market from the best side.
- One of the most popular manufacturers of glass teapots for tea leaves is a German company Gipfel... The assortment of the company includes a variety of models of different price categories. So, in the collection of Gipfel cookware there are models of the Glacier series with a piston or press with a volume of 350 ml and more. The products are made of heat-resistant material and are resistant to high temperatures. Stylish combination of glass and metal will perfectly fit into the interior of any kitchen. For connoisseurs of aesthetics, there is a series of Claris teapots with a press, presented in the color "rose gold".
- Glassware collection Brilians is in great demand, because the kettles of this series are convenient and easy to use. Heat-resistant glass is resistant to boiling water temperature, and the fine mesh of the strainer does not allow a single tea leaf to pass through. These models are dishwasher safe.
- Company Taller is also engaged in the production of a series of glass teapots for brewing. The Gregory series is represented by French presses of various decor and colors. Filtered models are produced under the Dunleer series. They have a round shape and a strainer, which is made of stainless steel. The volumes of products are 350, 600 and 800 ml.
- Another firm for the production of glass models Mayer & boch... The German manufacturer produces stylish products from high quality materials. All models are made of heat-resistant glass and stainless steel. The line of dishes includes simple products, products with a strainer and a flask, with a spout and many others. It is worth noting the models made of heat-resistant plastic and heat-resistant glass. The colors of the products have bright shades and interesting color schemes, which will certainly cheer you up during tea drinking.
- German company Bekker manufactures a series of teapots made of glass and plastic, which are resistant to high temperatures. The range includes original models of various colors and shapes. The model of the classic round shape looks like a product with a brewing flask and a small spout for easy pouring of the drink.
How to choose?
When choosing glassware, you first need to understand the types of glass and their features. Teapots made of heat-resistant material perfectly withstand temperature changes. Heat-resistant glass is also used in the production of tea and tableware.
But the disadvantage of a teapot made of such material is that it is not suitable for various types of stoves and ovens. Refractory material is used for the production of glass products. Such models are used over an open fire, but at the same time they can deform or crack with a sharp drop in temperature.
The heat-resistant material is used in the manufacture of both kettles and pots for various hobs and ovens. Glass is resistant to heat and open fire. Most often, for products made of heat-resistant material, glass is used, the composition of which includes boron oxide (borosilicate glass).
The most expensive material is quartz glass. It is made from silicon oxide. The dishes are not afraid of fire, temperature fluctuations and ovens.
Glass teapots are also painted with various ornaments, patterns and beautiful designs. That's why you can choose a teapot for everyday use and tea drinking, as well as for tea ceremonies and as a gift.
The choice of a teapot for brewing should be approached carefully.It is also worth considering the details, namely the quality and material of the handle, the location of the teapot spout, the features of the lid and strainer.
During the brewing process, the handle of the product heats up, which brings considerable inconvenience when pouring the drink into cups. To avoid unpleasant sensations, you need to buy a product in which the brewing flask is located in a metal cup holder, like a French press.
You shouldn't buy models with plastic in the case. Plastics release harmful compounds on contact with boiling water. The smallest doses of such substances spoil the taste and aroma of the drink, and can harm your health.
Teapot handles are made in different versions. Glass handles most often look like a loop. Plastic handles are in the form of an elongated staple. When choosing a teapot with a handle, the main thing is convenience and practicality.
The ideal spout of the kettle should be flush with the neck of the product. The angle of adhesion of the spout to the body should be no more than 35 degrees. Otherwise, the spout will not be able to stop the liquid after spilling, dropping the remaining drink in the form of drops onto the table surface.
Covers are made from glass, plastic and metal. Cheap models use plastic. In dishes made of heat-resistant material, there are plastic lids, but at the same time, there is a steel filter insert in the design. Plastic covers are equipped with a button on the body. This mechanism system is combined with a handle. Metal and glass handles have a classic look with a holder on top, just like in ordinary teapots.
A strainer is the main attribute of a glass teapot for brewing. In glass models, a metal mesh flask is used, which rests on the neck of the kettle. The strainer helps to filter the drink and makes it clear and tasty. Some products are equipped with a key-chain filter.
When choosing, you should take into account the quality of the material: a high-quality product is made of stainless steel.
There are also products with a flask. A filter flask looks like an ordinary glass, but it has more advantages than a simple strainer:
- in the flask, the leaves of the tea leaves can move freely, which promotes circulation and full disclosure of the taste of the drink;
- as soon as the drink has reached the desired strength level, the glass can be immediately pulled out, while pure, rich tea will remain in the container;
- the filter flask is suitable for any type of tea: from small-leaved and granular to large-leaved varieties, berry teas and herbal infusions.
This filter is made of ceramic, glass or metal.
White ceramics and porcelain products add aesthetics and sophistication to the teapot. But when choosing ceramic or porcelain inserts, it should be borne in mind that the holes in the flask are larger than in stainless steel cups. Such holes are capable of letting in small particles of tea leaves.
When buying a glass teapot, you should also inspect the product for chips, cracks and various defects.
Operation and care
Proper use and care can prolong the life of your glass teapot.
To use the kettle correctly, there are some operating details that need to be taken into account.
- Every time you brew, pay attention to the cleanliness of the dishes. It should be free of plaque and tea leaves.
- The kettle should be moderately warm.
- Water should be used soft, free of impurities. The tea leaves should be poured, spreading the tea leaves along the bottom.
- You need to pour tea in several stages: pour water in half, let it brew, add water after a while, leaving a space between the lid and the drink.
- After brewing, close the spout and lid with a napkin. This will preserve the aroma of the tea and prevent it from coming out.
- The kettle must be washed immediately after use. Do not leave leftover drinks overnight.
- Store glassware in a dark, dry place.Do not leave the product near strong-smelling foods and objects.
- When cleaning the kettle, it is not recommended to rub the inner surface too much. In order to clean the kettle, it is enough to rinse the dishes with water without using any detergents or abrasives.
In the following video, you will learn how to brew tea using a glass kettle with a (TeaPot) button.