There's one essential tool for preparing a good cup of tea: the teapot. But where did the idea—so well received—of introducing it to us come from? Here's a brief history of the teapot, from its origins in China to its arrival in your kitchen!
The first teapots
There is no official date for the invention of the teapot, but it is well known that it came long after tea had become a widespread beverage. Most believe the first teapot was introduced in 15th-century China, but some sources link it to earlier dynasties. Until then, tea was consumed in powder form in bowls to which boiling water was added. There was no actual infusion as we know it today.
It was in the city of Yixing that the first teapots appeared and then spread from the 16th century onwards. These small teapots, made of zisha, a type of clay, revolutionized the method of preparing tea. Their small size meant they were used for individual consumption, allowing for one or two cups of tea.
Introduction in Europe
Tea began to be imported into Europe thanks to the East India Company. Europeans were fascinated by this beverage, as well as by Chinese pottery, which they tried unsuccessfully to reproduce. This rigid, translucent material from which teapots were made is none other than the primitive form of porcelain that we know today.
Initially, tea was exclusive to the aristocracy, like all exotic drinks imported from the Orient. In France, the first teapot was used by Louis XIV.
England and teapots
With the rise of the middle class and their desire to emulate the aristocratic lifestyle, tea gradually began to be introduced into European life. As taxes on tea were reduced and demand increased, several manufacturers began creating their own teapot designs. In England, this marked the beginning of "Afternoon Tea" as an everyday tradition.
Unable to part with their teapots, the English also introduced this new concept to the Americas.
Teapots: both decorative and functional
Several different shapes began to appear, along with the use of new materials. Teapots also became works of art, initially decorated with Baroque or Rococo-style images. Having become fashionable items, it was no longer possible to keep the same set for long. At the end of the War of 1812 and the victory of the United States, teapots were adorned with scenes of victory and landscapes, and also became commemorative objects.
While its primary function remained, an explosion of imagination took place. It was no longer unusual to see teapots shaped like animals, cars… The combination of aesthetics and function made the teapot an essential object in every home, while also becoming part of the décor.
