Cast Iron Tea Pots, A World Wide Beloved For A Reason
Cast Iron Tea Pots-the Traditional Choice for A High Class Tea Pot
Tea is one of the worlds oldest and most beloved drinks. The simple act of drinking tea has been known to calm the mind, sooth the soul, rejuvenate the spirits and restore the body. It has been said however that while tea is in its own right a remarkable thing, the true power of tea comes from its ability to be a personal experience to each drinker.
There are some people who believe strongly that the power of tea is its ability to be a unique drinking experience for each person who drinks it. This is never more evident than when you look at the tools and traditions of global culture surrounding this beverage that has been consumed in one way or another for over 2000 years. Each culture not only has developed its own twist on the style ad flavor of tea, but also on the methods of preparing and serving it. Even within those cultures the act of making the drink is almost as important as drinking it. The old familiar tea pot that you have had for years can be comforting friend who helps you to shed away the worry and stress of the day.
The tea pot is a center of life in many family cultures. A hot pot of tea is often kept going all day for those who come into the home, both family and friends. The tea pot is considered by many to be a vital part of the familys possessions and thus it is essential that the tea pot be durable and large enough to accommodate several drinkers at a time. Of course you also want the tea pot to say something about you or your home at the same time. One of the most traditional materials for a tea pot to be made of is cast iron. This is for good reason.
Cast iron tea pots are popular around the world for a great many reasons. The first reason this material is often used for tea pots has to do with the material itself. Cast Iron is an excellent conductor of heat, and at the same time and excellent retainer of the same. This means that a cast iron tea pot will have your water hot enough to brew the tea faster than many other materials and will also (due to its heavy nature) keep the finished tea hot longer. Of course the added durability of the cast iron means that the tea pots will have significantly less chance of being damaged with daily use. This was traditionally an important aspect of items which were needed by the family for basic comfort and survival. Today it means that a cast iron tea pot is worth the purchase price as you will be able to enjoy your tea pot for many years.
On a more aesthetic front, a cast iron tea pot is able to provide a more enjoyable experience for the tea drinker. The heavy pot feels good in the hands, the soft heat that comes off the pot after brewing can warm the table top and make the experience a bit more enjoyable on those chilly winter evenings, and the flexibility of the material to be cast into almost any shape means that a tea pot made of cast iron can be uniquely yours. Of course the great advantage of cast iron is the fact that it does not expand and contract a great deal when it is heated and cooled, therefore it lends itself to be the core of a layered tea pot. Perhaps the outer later could be one of fine porcelain, polished bronze or even rubbed copper.
The real joy of cast iron tea pots in many peoples eyes however is the taste aspect. Many die hard casties as they prefer to be called, claim that the use of cast iron tea pots provides a distinctive taste layer to the tea that is brewed in one. This has never been proven, one way or another, but to those who stand by their old fashioned cast iron tea pots it is a truth that does not require proof, they believe whole heartily that the proof is in the cup.