What do you collect? Most people collect one or two specific items and the passion usually begins in childhood. Coins, stamps, and antiques are often first thought of, but teapots have a rich history. The best part about a beautiful teapot is that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. With the varied styles and types available, there are designs that will capture your heart and soul. There are many traditions related to tea and in many countries, tea is a much as a part of history as just about anything else. The history and tradition behind collecting teapots is interesting, but nothing compares to the getting your next teapot to add to your collection!
The Origins of the Teapot – Before you learn about the history of teapots, it’s best to give a little history on the tea itself. There are varying stories as to the origin of tea, one of which gives credit to a Buddhist Monk and the other to a Chinese Emperor. One thing is certain – the first tea plant was brought to China from India in the 4th century. While teapots were not used until much later, the tea leaves were dried and crushed into a powder. The powder was mixed with salt to form cakes. These cakes were placed in bowls of boiling water. It eventually became easier to leave the tea in a powder form and simply whip it with water to form a frothy liquid.
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