The Great Aspects of Cast Iron Teapots

The cast iron teapot makes a fantastic addition to home decor, and is also a great item for tea enthusiasts and collectors of cast iron pots alike. It is made from cast iron, a metal which can absorb heat better than many others. This also brews really good tea since it soaks up tea flavors which have already been brewed in the pot, and this enhances other teas which are later brewed in the same teapot.  Because it is made from cast iron, a type of metal which efficiently preserves and absorbs heat, it also brews great tasting tea because of cast iron’s ability to soak up all tea flavors that have previously been brewed in the pot and enrich other teas which are subsequently brewed in the teapot .

In addition, liquids heated in a cast iron teapot will remain hot for several hours, since cast iron is such a retentive type of alloy. It is believed that cast iron was probably invented in 14th century China and was initially used to construct small statues and weapons such as cannon balls.

The Japanese people eventually started to drink tea for ceremonies and other similar events at which point they started using tetsubin, or Japanese cast iron teapots. They saw this type of pot was able to brew very good tea leaves and also keep in the heat and flavor of tea.

At a later point, cast iron was used for steam engine construction in the 19th century in England. This was the industrial revolution, which led to increased transportation, capitalism, and even the cast iron teapot as a status symbol and an indicator of wealth. Many people saw the teapot of cast iron totally differently.  This was also when the cast iron teapot became considered a sign of wealth and status among the upper crust.

In fact people who owned these types of teapots would give them to their daughters as family heirlooms or marriage gifts. This custom would continue for a long time and many generations would do it. You can even see antique heirloom cast iron teapots online or through auctions, anywhere from $100-600, given their age and condition.  You can find these antique cast iron teapots for sale today online or in antique stores with prices varying from $100 up to $600, depending on the age and condition of the teapot.

To protect a cast iron teapot from damage, there are several precautions you should take when cleaning and storing it. Always wait until the pot in no longer warm to the touch before wiping and rinsing the pot.

Do not use dish soap on the cast iron as this could deteriorate the alloy and cause tea or water boiled in it to taste bitter. If you are going to place the teapot on any kind of surface, remember to put a trivet underneath of it in order to prevent scorch marks. Sometimes, but not often, a cast iron teapot will develop a very slight rust residue. This will not harm you, however, if you ingest some of it.

In any case, using a finely-bristled brush will easily remove the rust. In addition, there is a chemical in tea leaves called tannic acid which blends with rust and creates a thin protective film over the cast iron which will virtually eliminate any subsequent appearances of rust. There are actually tea aficionados who say they like the way tea tastes when served from a lightly rusted pot. Today, however, you can purchase modern cast iron teapots which are created with an enamel interior to prevent any possible build-up of rust.

With a keen interest in belts, Jackie Reese researches and writes about wallets and all other types of mens leather belts. Click here for more information about money clips and here for front pocket wallet.