Water Kettles
Although there are many different kinds of kettles to
choose from, only a few are really good quality. Most are cheaply made
with cute designs. Best features: Tight-fitting lid,
handles that won’t get hot, quality material (avoid
aluminum) and size. Spouts that whistle can be
irritating or very convenient.
In recent years, some great electric “cordless” kettles have appeared on
the market. If you’re a traditionalist, buy an old style kettle for the stove,
but if you’re more modern and like the convenience, these new electric
kettles are the way to go. They’re great in the office too.
Click Here to Browse Our Tea Kettles >>
Teapots
We recommend a different teapot for each type of tea. For black
teas, a 2-cup or 4-cup porcelain teapot is perfect; for green or oolong
teas you should try to find a small teapot, preferably Japanese or
Chinese; and for herbal infusions, clear glass teapots show off the beauty
of the infusion (although they lose temperature fast). All teas can be
brewed perfectly in a mug using a large infuser. Best features: Tight-fitting
lid, smooth and polished surface, balanced proportions, and a spout that doesn’t leak.
Click Here to Browse Our Teapots >>
Tea Infusers
The common wire mesh infuser, found everywhere, is not very
good as it is usually too small to allow the tea leaf to fully expand. We
recommend an infuser that fits the whole mug or extends deeply into the
teapot. Good infusers include Finum or Bodum. Super fine infusers are
needed for herbal infusions (tisanes).
Click Here to Browse Our Tea Infusers >>
Miscellaneous Tea Accessories
A few other items you may need include a measuring tea spoon
(try to always use the same spoon), digital timer (electric beepers are
irritating but efficient; sand egg timers are quiet but easy to forget);
thermometer (good for green teas which require low temp water); tight-
fitting containers, and tea cups
(white porcelain is always best, handless cups
are nice for Japanese or Chinese teas). Black tea enthusiasts also like a
tea cozy to keep their teapot hot.
|
