| The Chinese have been enjoying tea for 5000 years. | | | | important to remember that these teapots should not |
| Tea was accidentally discovered by a Chinese | | | | be washed with soap or dishwashing liquid. They must |
| emperor when some tea leaves fell into his glass of | | | | only be rinsed with warm water and put to dry. |
| boiling water. Chinese culture has since been influenced | | | | Chinese teapots are of two types: |
| greatly by tea. Tea is a popular drink, which had been | | | | Yixing: Pronounces as E-Shing, these teapots come |
| served on special occasions. To cite a few examples, | | | | from the city of Yixing known for its purple colored |
| younger generations serve older people tea to show | | | | clay. Such clay does not break easily, has a beautiful |
| respect. In offices, tea is served by the employees of | | | | colour, is good at retaining heat and is porous. When |
| lower rank to higher ranking officials. According to | | | | tea is brewed in clay that is porous, it absorbs its |
| tradition, a newly married couple must serve tea to | | | | flavour. Unlike regular teapots that lose their shine with |
| their parents. | | | | time, the Yixing teapots get better with age. Yixing |
| Since the Chinese set so much in store by tea, | | | | teapots are also collected for decorative purposes. |
| Chinese teapot is also a big part of their tea culture. | | | | Though these teapots are mainly used to make oolong |
| Chinese teapot is said to be the first teapots used in | | | | and black tea, they can also be used for green tea. |
| civilization. The varieties of teapots as seen today all | | | | Gaiwan: Gaiwan literally means "covered bowl". |
| over the world are all derived from the Chinese teapot | | | | Gaiwan teapots consist of three parts: bowl, lid and |
| which was first made by the Ming dynasty. | | | | saucer. They come without handles. The lid acts as a |
| Genuine Chinese teapot is handcrafted by experts | | | | strainer. One can directly from the bowl or pour the |
| and is famed for being durable and exquisite. These | | | | tea into another cup. Gaiwan teapots are made from |
| teapots are usually made from glazed earthenware. | | | | porcelain, glass or clay. Some are even made from |
| They are free from lead and other toxic elements. | | | | jade. The inside of a Gawain teapot is always glazed |
| The natural sediment that lies at the bottom of the | | | | unlike an Yixing teapot. Check for a tightly fitting lid and |
| teapot adds to the flavor of tea. It is, however, | | | | a wide brim when buying a Gawain teapot. |