The teapot is one of the essential tools of the tea ritual that every tea lover should have. Several models exist: cast iron, electric, glass and many more. The right choice depends on how you brew and what you enjoy.
Explore our teapots
The cast iron teapot
The cast iron teapot is a timeless classic, ideal for brewing tea in the spirit of ancestral traditions. It suits all types of tea, including bold blends that need a longer steeping time.
Its distinctive design makes for an elegant serving experience, especially as part of a complete set. It retains heat beautifully, so you can savour a warm cup long after pouring.
There are two types of cast iron teapot:
- Enamelled cast iron teapot, also known as a Tetsu kyusu, is designed for steeping tea only — it cannot be used to boil water. Most models come with a removable stainless steel filter. The enamelled interior makes it durable and rust-resistant. It is typically made with ceramic or stoneware, then cast in an iron-carbon alloy.
- The cast iron kettle, known as a Tetsubin, is primarily designed to boil water. Its interior is not enamelled. This allows iron to gradually infuse into the water during boiling, giving the tea a richer, less bitter taste. Tea brewed with a Tetsubin is particularly well suited to those who love tea but need to increase their iron intake.
These teapots will delight anyone who appreciates brewing tea in the traditional way.
The electric teapot
The electric teapot should not be confused with a kettle — it is sometimes called a tea maker. Capsule-based electric teapots also exist.
Electric teapots typically include a carafe, a built-in infuser and a lid. Depending on the capacity of the carafe, you can brew several cups at once. Common features include:
- automatic shut-off to prevent over-steeping,
- a kettle function,
- a self-plunging basket that lifts the infuser once brewing is complete,
- removable parts: the carafe or self-plunging basket for easy cleaning.
Some tea makers are designed for one to two cups at a time, using either loose-leaf tea or tea bags. They work in a similar way to capsule teapots.
With a capsule electric teapot or tea maker, you can typically prepare one to two cups, much like a coffee machine. Steeping time may be programmable or set by the capsule.
These machines are wonderfully practical for everyday tea drinking. They brew at the right temperature, let you enjoy your tea quickly, and blend seamlessly into any kitchen.
The glass teapot
The glass teapot is ideal for delicate teas that require a short steeping time. It also works beautifully for all kinds of infusions: green, black, white tea and blooming tea flowers. The transparency of the glass lets you watch the tea unfurl and makes it easy to see when the infusion is ready. It turns brewing into a visual experience as well as a sensory one.
Glass is a durable, elegant material — scratch-resistant, corrosion-proof and odour-neutral. It is also 100% recyclable. It is more fragile than other materials, however, and retains heat less effectively than cast iron or electric teapots. The smooth surface makes cleaning straightforward.
Several glass teapot models are available: the borosilicate glass teapot, the glass kettle-teapot and the travel glass teapot.
Borosilicate glass teapot
The borosilicate glass teapot is made from a special glass that withstands temperatures between -20 and 150°C, allowing it to double as a kettle. If you use it on a heat source, bear in mind that the handle will become hot, as it is also made of glass. The glass retains warmth well, keeping your tea at a pleasant temperature.
Glass kettle-teapot
It can be used on all hob types except induction. Tea is brewed directly on the heat source, unlike the enamelled cast iron teapot, which requires water to be heated separately first. It can also be used simply to heat water, making a separate kettle unnecessary. As with the borosilicate model, bear in mind that the handle will get hot during use.
Travel glass teapots
Take your teapot with you and enjoy your tea wherever you go. Several formats are available:
- a glass flask with infuser and a protective sleeve to prevent cracking,
- a double-wall flask with infuser,
- a portable tea infuser.
This style is also known as a single-cup herbal infuser, designed to brew just one cup at a time.
Glass, cast iron and electric teapots are far from the only options: there are also terracotta teapots, stainless steel and porcelain models. French press-style teapots and steeping teapots are also worth exploring. Finally, teacup-teapots in glass, porcelain or ceramic are wonderfully practical for enjoying tea on the go.
More than just an accessory, a teapot also makes a lovely gift. Explore our other guides:
