Where did the Teapots Originate?

If one is to go by the accounts of Chou Kao-ch’I, who authored the Yang Hsien ming hu hsi, an account dealing with Ishing teapots, then it was these teapots which were the creations of potters at Ishing that were later made famous to Europeans and were known to them by the Portuguese term, bocarro, which means large mouth. These were teapots that were of small size and came to Europe along with tea to become the models after which the European teapots were first fashioned.

However, this view has since been disputed and teapots in Europe may have been attributed to either the Islamic coffee pots or to the Chinese wine vessels that were being imported as curiosity items. In any case, there is no denying the fact that tea was originally Chinese, even though teapots as we know them today are basically entirely European.

To begin with, European teapots were heavy cast having short, straight and replaceable spouts that were different to the Chinese teapots. This was followed by large scale importations of teapots through the East India Company, which, recognizing the increasing demand, then imported them and they also made for extra ballast for ships on which they were being sent.

With industrialization, the growing middle class had surplus cash and they wanted to imitate the lifestyles of the upper classes and this included the afternoon tea ritual, which was common amongst the more fortunate parts of society.

The market for teapots thus, grew incredibly, and even renowned artist-merchants like Josiah Wedgwood and Josiah Spode began to cater to this growing demand. The design of teapots catered to every taste and style and it incorporated every major trend in Victorian art and craft styles including Renaissance, Gothic, Chinese, Moorish, Japanese, as well as Art Nouveau.

Contemporary design of teapots made a return to simpler forms and during the 1960s became more functional, in order to depict the modernism that was sweeping all and by the next ten years, novelty teapots also then made a re-appearance.

There have always been constant changes in the regards to the design of teapots, with the passage of time. Sometimes they tend to be elegant and many of these teapots reflect the classic patterns of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

There are a number of more common types and styles of teapots, and these include that of: Classic Brown Betty Teapots, Japanese Tetsubin Teapots, Silver and Porcelain Teapots as well as Chinese Yixing Teapots and Clear Glass Teapots. Each has their own distinctive style and is popular among various sections of society.

European styles are the most preferred now-a-days

If one is to go by the accounts of Chou Kao-ch’i who authored the Yang Hsien ming hu hsi, an account dealing with Ishing teapots, it was these teapots which were the creations of potters at Ishing that were later made famous to Europeans and were known to them by the Portuguese term, bocarro, which means large mouth.

These were teapots that were of small size and came to Europe along with tea to become the models after which the European teapots were first fashioned.

However, this view has been disputed and teapots in Europe may have been attributed to either the Islamic coffee pots or to the Chinese wine vessels that were being imported as curiosity items.

In any case, there is no denying the fact that tea was originally Chinese, even though teapots as we know them today are European. To begin with, European teapots were heavy cast having short, straight and replaceable spouts that were different to the Chinese teapots.

This was followed by large scale importations of teapots through the East India Company, which recognizing the increasing demand, imported them and they also made for extra ballast for ships on which they were being sent.

With industrialization, the growing middle class had surplus cash and they wanted to imitate the lifestyles of the upper classes and this included the afternoon tea ritual, which was common amongst the more fortunate parts of society.

The market for teapots thus, grew and renowned artist-merchants like Josiah Wedgwood and Josiah Spode began to cater to this growing demand. The design of teapots catered to every taste and style and it incorporated every major trend in Victorian art and craft styles including Renaissance, Gothic, Chinese, Moorish, Japanese, as well as Art Nouveau.

Contemporary design of teapots made a return to simpler forms and during the 1960s became functional, to depict the modernism that was sweeping all and by the next ten years, novelty teapots made reappearance.

There have always been constant changes to the design of teapots, with the passage of time. Sometimes they tend to be elegant and many of these teapots reflect the classic patterns of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

There are a number of common types and styles of teapots and these include Classic Brown Betty Teapots, Japanese Tetsubin Teapots, Silver and Porcelain Teapots as well as Chinese Yixing Teapots and Clear Glass Teapots. Each has their own distinctive style and is popular among various sections of society.

Giving the gift of tea may be the ideal gift for many of your tea-loving friends, and giving the gift of a tea gift basket may make them smile even more. Gift baskets, of course, are one of the most favored presents of many gift-giving individuals. Hiring someone to make an arrangement or even creating the gift basket oneself is a tradition which can translate to giving the gift of tea. A tea gift basket is a simple way to create a special treat for a tea-loving friend.

Gift Basket Businesses

Businesses which specialize in making all types of gift baskets will happily tend to their customers needs, in that if they do not carry the items needed to make the ideal tea gift basket, they can usually special order the items as desired.

Those businesses which carry a selection that includes that of a pre-made tea gift basket may be nice and easy, but even they are willing to make accommodations based on the customer’s needs. Still yet, there are those businesses which deal strictly in tea, and they will definitely carry the variety and specifications a customer desires.

What to Include

Some may think that a tea gift basket is best to include just the bare essentials, such as a selection of favorite teas. While this may be nice and will definitely be well enjoyed, another option is to include the tea selection with other accompanying gifts. For instance, a tea gift basket may include a selection of teas with a cute and cuddly teddy bear.

This might be the perfect tea gift basket for the tea party-loving little girl; another popular idea for a tea gift basket is one which includes a set of specific types of teas with corresponding foods. For instance, a tea gift basket which might include an arrangement of preserved cheeses, meats and crackers with a complementary set of green teas.

The Perfect Recipient

While it goes without saying that a tea gift basket is well-suited to an individual who is a known tea-lover, there are many other types who would enjoy this gift.  If someone is a fan of coffee, for instance, he or she may truly appreciate this gesture. It will give them a kick-start to try something different. If someone simply enjoys good food and is open to new ideas, surely she or he would enjoy being introduced to the tea tradition with a delectable basket of foods and teas. Therefore, just about anyone can truly enjoy the delightful treat of a tea gift basket.