Best Teapots
Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, Oolong, Darjeeling… if I’m speaking your language then you know how important a well-brewed cup of tea is to calming your busy day. It’s soothing, flavorful, healthy and there’s just nothing “instant” about it. It’s a process, a ritual that you just can’t rush. And that’s why working with the right tea pot and infuser is so important. The heat of the water, the positioning of the infuser, the duration of the steep, and the pouring of a perfectly prepared cup of tea are all factors that turn a quick cuppa into a ceremony you’ll look forward to every day. And because we’re talking to you – the total tea purist – our top picks all use infusers versus any of the fabricated tea bags. Nope, you’ll find no Brown Betty’s in our line up.
Our Favorite Teapot Designs for the Infuser Enthusiast
Tealyra 4 to 6 Cup Ceramic Teapot: For Two or More
Type: Add Boiling Water
Material: Ceramic and Stainless Steel
Capacity: 1.1 liters
Tealyra has taken the traditional ceramic teapot to the next level by not only adding a convenient stainless-steel flip lid that opens wide to receive boiling water, but by developing the much-needed dripless spout. With their Tealyra Ceramic Teapot you can finally pour a decent cup of tea with confidence because you know you won’t have to be on the ready to mop up those messy drips that seem inevitable with standard pots. A generous, extra-fine, stainless steel strainer is perfect for brewing the large tea leaves that need room to expand or bloom as well as those extra fine leaves typical of so many of the green and black tea varieties. And with the bigger, 1.1-liter capacity, this infusion pot makes up to 6 cups of perfectly steeped tea – ideal for when you just want to sit and relax with friends and family and not have to keep jumping up to replenish the pot. And while the ritual of tea making dates back thousands of years (seriously), we still appreciate the modern conveniences of today, which is why this ceramic teapot and its stainless-steel infuser are a snap to disassemble and are dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- No-drip spout for cleaner pours
- Extra-large lid opening
- 1-litre pot for larger brews
- Dishwasher-safe
- Steeps, large or fine leaves and sachets
Cons:
- Can’t visually monitor steep strength of tea
If you love sitting down with friends and family to enjoy a perfectly steeped cup of tea, then this large, 4-6 cup teapot is just the ticket.
Hiware Glass Teapot with Large Infuser: For Blooming Tea Leaves
Type: Stove-top
Material: Borosilicate Glass and Stainless Steel
Capacity: 800 ml
Height: 7-inches
Eliminate the boil-water step and go straight to pouring in style with this beautifully designed stove-top infuser teapot. Made from heat resistant borosilicate glass, the elegant looking Hiware teapot can go right from the stovetop (gas, electric or ceramic only) to the tabletop without the need to lug a bulky kettle to add water. Sit back and watch the infuser go to work, disbursing the golden tones of your favorite tea throughout the pot. Best of all, you control the steep process based on the richness of color. A separate stainless-steel lid seals both the tea and the heat in, eliminating the problems often found with lids that partially open during the pour process. And, let’s talk about that huge infuser. It’s stainless-steel and specifically sized to allow for larger leaf and blooming teas that need extra room to expand. Similarly, the wide, round pot promotes better circulation. The fine stainless-steel mesh sides make it ideal for loose teas such as black or green, as it prevents smaller particles from making their way into the beverage. Dishwasher safe, this teapot and infuser are perfect for daily use and turn every cuppa into a ceremony.
Pros:
- No-drip spout for cleaner pours
- Beautiful heat resistant borosilicate glass
- .8-litre pot for multiple cups
- Dishwasher-safe
- Large infuser for blooming tea leaves
Cons:
- Large infuser can displace amount of brewed tea
If you savor the flavors of a good cup of strong tea, you will definitely appreciate the ability to monitor the steep process in this beautiful glass teapot.
Adagio IngenuiTEA Pot Bottom-Dispensing Teapot: For the Perfect Single Cup
Type: Add Boiling Water
Material: Tritan heat-resistant plastic
Capacity: .5 liter
You don’t have to give-up on brewing your favorite loose-leaf teas just because time is tight and you always seem to be on your way out the door. With the Adagio IngenuiTEA, you can steep any type of loose tea directly into your travel cup or office mug. Best of all, its simple to use. Just put your tea leaves into the Tritan plastic pot, add boiling water, place it on top of your cup of choice and when its done, the valve at the bottom will open and let the steeped tea flow through. Because the tea leaves actually move throughout the body of the impact-resistant pot versus a smaller infuser, its perfect for large leaf or blooming teas that need extra room for water circulation. If you’re into green, back or herbal teas, a fine stainless-steel mesh filter effectively prevents particles from entering your cup. The base of this pot is sized to 3.5-inches, so it will fit virtually any mug or cup, and with the large, side handle you have full control at all times. It’s dishwasher-safe but equally easy to just hand-wash when you’re travelling
Pros:
- Direct dispense eliminates drips
- Large infuser for blooming tea leaves
- Clear pot lets you monitor the brew process
- Resilient, heat-resistant Tritan plastic
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Height when in use may present tipping hazard
If you crave fresh-steeped, loose-leaf tea but think its too messy for the office, consider this all-in-one teapot with built-in infuser.
COMFEE Cordless Teapot with Infuser: For Precision Brewing
Type: Electric
Material: Glass, stainless-steel and plastic
Capacity: 1.7 liter
When precision brewing is beyond your skillset and you’re not even sure what it means, you’ll welcome the Comfee Cordless Teapot with open arms. You see, it uses Strix temperature control to ensure your water reaches the optimal temperature to brew black, green or white teas as well as oolong and floral teas. Be honest, did you even know they needed different temperatures? Well, this electric tea pot knows exactly how hot your water needs to be and the controls are at your fingertips. Literally, because the easy-to-read LED display panel is located in its handle so you can adjust the water temperature to suit your tea type. Even better for some of us, it features a keep warm option, auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. It includes a stainless-steel infuser for both large and fine-leaf tea leaves plus a removable filter at the spout to ensure no errant leaf particles make it into your cup. A cool-touch handle with anti-slip grip makes picking up and pouring comfortable and controlled. Best of all, the electrical bits and bobs remains in the 360-degree swivel base so you don’t have to fumble with a jumble of cords.
Pros:
- Strix thermostat technology with auto shut-off and boil-dry protection
- Auto-sets the perfect brew temperature for multiple loose teas
- Built-in infuser with removable spout filter
- Clear pot lets you monitor the brew process
- 360 swivel-base for easy positioning
Cons:
- Cycle alert beeps can be annoying
If you want to brew the perfect loose-leaf tea, but aren’t sure where to begin, this automated electric teapot is the perfect first step to learning about temperature controls.
Love Bamboo, Single Tea Tumbler: For the Eco-Friendly On the Go
Overview:
Type: Add Boiling Water
Material: Stainless-Steel
Capacity: 532 ml
If you appreciate the beauty of products that both look great and are environmentally sound, then this Love Bamboo Tea Tumbler with infuser is going to suit you to a T. And this beautiful single teapot is no slouch when it comes to hard work. Made from double-walled stainless-steel, its vacuum-sealed and guaranteed to keep hot beverages hot for up to 12 hours (and cold bevvies cold for up to 24 hours). The intricately designed, fine-grade, stainless-steel tea infuser and secondary strainer ensure no errant leaves find their way into your finished brew. And a beautifully quilted travel sleeve protects the 100% organic bamboo outer shell of the cup from wear and tear when not in use. But like any bamboo product, you’ll need to spend time hand-washing as it isn’t dishwasher safe. What I love is that those messy leaks and drips so common with a lot of travel mugs is a thing of the past with this one – it’s leak-proof. You just load the infuser with tea leaves, screw it into the top of the unit and pour boiling water through. This mini teapot does all the rest, steeping the perfect cup as you go about your busy day.
Pros:
- Slim design for easy carry / car receptacles
- Sleeve is 100% organic bamboo
- Double-walled, stainless-steel design
- Leak-proof and vacuum sealed
- Lightweight, stainless-steel infuser and filter work with all tea leaves
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
If you love fresh steeped tea, eco-friendly products, and anything that can save you time, this travel tea pot is the perfect solution.
Purchasing Quality Tea Brewing Equipment Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Whether you decide to keep it simple with just a good quality infuser, a decent china pot, and quality tea leaves, or you plan to spring for something a little more high-tech like the COMFEE electric pot with precision brewing, your foray into the world of perfectly steeped teas isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, those fancy, automated tea brewers typically cost less than a good quality coffee maker.
You Don’t Need to Be a Tea Sommelier to Brew a Perfect Cup
Brewing up a great cup of tea isn’t rocket science. In fact, with the right equipment, it’s simplicity perfected. Its all about starting out with the right tools – a decent pot and a quality infuser. Determine what you love – herbal, black, green, or something else. Google the leaf type to find out if it needs a fine-grade infuser or something large enough to let the leaves move around. Now you’re ready to start building your chest of favorites.
A Healthy Beverage While on the Run
While the ceremony of tea has been around for thousands of years, today the proverbial “watched pot” sure doesn’t boil fast enough. That’s why there is such a growing trend in the tea infusion-pots in a to-go format. Pour in the boiling water, then head out the door. Its that simple. Your tea steeps to perfection right in the cup. No more waiting around for the brew process to finish. It’s tea the way you like it, when you want it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tea healthier than coffee?
Green and jasmine teas in particular are known for their antioxidant properties, however teas and coffees both bring their own unique health benefits. That said, the lower caffeine levels in tea makes it an appealing beverage for many. Best of all, you don’t have to invest in pricey equipment to produce an excellent pot of tea from scratch.
How long do dried tea leaves retain their flavor?
If properly stored in an air-tight container, away from heat and light, your tea leaves will last up to 2 years.
What makes a good infuser?
For larger leaf or blooming teas, you’ll want an infuser that is large enough to let the water circulate throughout it and allow the leaves to fully open. If you prefer smaller leaf teas such as black or green, look for a finer mesh that will prevent particles from flowing into the finished tea.
What are Blooming Teas?
These are tiny bundles of green or white tea leaves that have been hand-crafted into small bunches. Similar to large leaf dried teas, they require a larger infuser to allow them to fully expand and release their flavors.
Is loose leaf tea better than tea bags?
Actually, yes, and here’s why. The tea used in teabags is the dust and bits left over from broken tea leaves. When they’re steeped, they tend to release more tannins than the whole, loose tea leaves that are steeped using an infuser. You know that strong, bitter taste you can sometimes experience from a teabag? Well, that’s the reason.
Which tea type is the strongest?
Definitely black teas such as Orange Pekoe, English Breakfast, Chai, Earl Grey produce a darker, stronger brew because they are fully oxidized. This is the chemical reaction that happens during the browning of the tea leaves and it can actually produce unique health benefits. For this type of tea, you’d want a fine-grade infuser.
Conclusion
If you don’t know one tea leaf from another, if you are unschooled in the many health benefits each brings, and if you still struggle with how long it should steep, we’ve got you covered. You can still brew an exceptional tea by starting with the right pot and a good quality infuser. And because this is likely the least expensive piece of kitchen equipment you’ll ever purchase, there’s no reason you can’t pick up a variety of pots, cups, infusers, and tea varieties to sample. Try them all before selecting favorite blends and brew styles. And whether you ultimately decide to turn it into an afternoon ritual or have to settle for a quick cuppa on the run, you can still achieve a superior quality, perfectly steeped beverage. We’ve shared five of our top picks based on simplicity, functionality, affordability and how it enhances the tea prep experience. Any one of them will be a great jumping off point for those new to the tradition.