A really interesting gift would be a Japanese ‘tetsubin,’ as the traditional cast iron tea pots of Japan are called. Online is the best place to sample and purchase them because you can view more samples there. Most cast iron tea pots are reclining oval in shape with the tips of the oval forming the sides. At times, thy can be molded so flat as to resemble buffo’s. There are also spherical ones as well as square ones. You might even see a cast iron tea pot that is shaped like a flattened mountain. The iron may be embossed with different abstract patterns and filigree metalwork. Alternatively, you may see cast iron tea pots with flowers, bamboo plants and dragons molded into them. The modern ones are frequently coated with porcelain. This is to prevent the metal from getting scratched or rusting. One such item might be a Japanese cast iron tea pot, a beautiful and long-lasting piece of functional art that would contribute to the home as well as brew some very tasty tea. The cast iron tea pot is also a great conversation piece, since its invention goes back to ancient China where cast iron was first invented and used to create weaponry and religious effigies. In addition, this type of tea pot would also make a wonderful wedding present and potential heirloom the bride could pass on to her daughter.
The Japanese “tetsubin” is perhaps the most well-known cast iron tea pot being sold online today and in select stores around the country. Because this tea pot exhibits such a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing designs and hues, there are many enthusiastic collectors who have an extensive collection of both antique and modern “tetsubins”. You can either purchase one cast iron tea pot at a time or buy them in sets of three, four, or five. Newer, individual pieces can cost around $25, while an entire set may be valued at over one hundred dollars.
Cast iron tea pots are more expensive than other types. That is obviously partly because iron is a more costly material. Apart from the intrinsic value of the material, the skill and expertise in mixing the ingredients of the cast iron are also important price-determining factors. The manufacturing process is not simple. First, iron that has been mixed with carbon duel is smelted; the resulting material is pig iron. After checking the quality of the pig iron, it is once more melted down and combined with scrap iron and fragments of steel. When that mixture is evenly melted, it is poured into the mold. The next step, cooling the metal, is also very important because if the cast iron tea pot is not cooled uniformly, it will be defective and lacking in durability. The quality of the tea pot is also determined by the right proportion of the ingredients used to make the molten iron.
Starting with pig iron, which as to be re-melted, the manufacturers then have to mix scrap iron and small amounts of steel in with the melted pig iron, which is then poured into a mold for the tea pot. The cooling process is what gives the cast iron tea pot its fine quality as a tea brewing implement because if it is not uniformly cooled, the tea pot will have a rough surface and visibly imperfect cast. Contamination is another problem occurring in the process, such as porosity or flaws in the metal, which can produce a defective product. The ability to properly mix cast iron and fashion a beautiful cast iron tea pot is something that is learned only by practice and experience. Sizes of each tea pot can vary from small to a large pot which can contain over twenty ounces.
If you want to show clearly to people how you care about them, give cast iron tea pots that you have carefully selected. You can either purchase a cast iron tea pot alone or with accompanying cups in a set. The price you pay for affordable pieces may be anything between $25 to over a hundred dollars. One thing you can be certain of is that they will always manage to look more expensive than their price. And because selecting the right one for someone involves some reflection, cast iron tea pots are a nice way to convey the feeling of concern for your friends. There widely different styles in which you can find them. The glazed cast iron tea pots may even have designs similar to Ming pottery but these will belong to the high-end items. You can find affordable ones with delicate floral designs, graceful Japanese calligraphy and even flaming dragons, the symbols of good luck. Although you might find a store to purchase a cast iron tea pot in your area, it would be much easier to locate the cast iron tea pot you want on the internet. By shopping online at tea pot stores on the internet, you will be able to choose from a variety of reasonably priced cast iron tea pots that are decorated with many different colors and details, from delicate flowers to Japanese inscriptions, to vividly drawn dragons.
Add Asian style to your tea time with a cast iron tea pots, glass teapots, or yixing teapots that’s both functional and decorative.
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