Teapots

Teapots: A Timeless Indulgence

Pouring out a freshly brewed cup of tea is a pleasure that goes back thousands of years, well before major inventions such as the printing press or even gunpowder. Whether a classic black tea or a delicate herbal mixture, the presentation can be as important as the drink itself, and it can bring almost as much pleasure. Since teapots are available on eBay in all sizes, styles, and price points, it's up to you to decide which style suits your taste.

While the classic porcelain teapot is still a top contender, teapots are as varied as tea drinkers themselves. With more decorative options, such as ceramic or stoneware, on the market, as well as the more practical and cheaper teapots made of plastic or metal, many tea lovers have multiple pots. When shopping on eBay, you'll find new and pre-owned teapots of every imaginable style readily available for purchase.

• Ceramic - When researching teapots for sale, ceramic often tops the list. It is known for its ability to hold in heat and to keep tea warm longer. Teapots made of this material range from whimsical, such as skull replicas or bright flower patterns, to solidly pragmatic.
• Porcelain - One of the loveliest and strongest of teapot materials, it is second only to bone china in translucency. More delicate than ceramic, though stronger, it is ideal for teas that require a lower temperature to brew.
• Glass - Perfect for displaying blooming teas, glass teapots allow the tea itself to take center stage. Though not as insulated as the typical ceramic pot, glass still holds heat in better than the pots made of metal or copper.
• Bone china - Though similar to porcelain, and in fact considered a subset of that category, the addition of bone ash to the clay both gives this china its name and its added durability.
• Practical options - When hunting for cheap teapots for sale, both plastic and metal make perfectly suitable materials. Inexpensive does not equal boring; there are plenty of attractive options in these categories.

Depending on the type of tea you drink, different pots may be suitable.

• Black tea - Since it needs a high brew temperature, ceramic is a good choice for this tea, as the thick walls hold in heat while brewing.
• White Tea - More delicate white teas, which require a lower brewing temperature, can be made of porcelain or bone china.
• Herbal tea - As with black tea, high brewing temperatures are preferred, so ceramic or stoneware will yield the tastiest results.
• Blooming tea - Glass pots are the perfect vessels to show off this decorative tea.

While traditional floral designs are still very much in style, there are also hundreds of others, including:

• Plain - For many, a straightforward, single-colored pot is all that is needed, and the beauty lies in its simplicity.
• Floral - While some teapots have just a dainty smattering of flowers, others are designed to look like blossoms themselves.
• Miscellaneous - Trains, planes, and automobiles — there are now teapots designed to resemble all of those, as well as other items, such as skulls and cartoon characters.