Many people think of old when they hear the word antique. This term actually is used to describe an item that is 100 years old or older, and in the case of antique teapots, you find more of them are actually vintage, or just simply old. But as the generations pass on, they will grow closer to having this classification. It can be said that all teapots eventually become an antique.
There are a number of people who love this type of teapot, and there are still a number to choose from as well. They come in all sorts of styles, like Oriental, English and some that are ceramic and porcelain. You will even find some so breathtaking you will want to avoid putting tea in them, and instead place them on display. You can find these anywhere form garage sales, to antique shops, auctions and most commonly estate sales.
For a long time the Japanese have been making teapots, and are considered to be experts in the world of tea since they do have thousands of styles available. Many pots that they use in ceremonies are designed for one specific event this means there is a large number of options that you can choose from. It would be considered common to find a Japanese teapot made from cast iron, and this is called Tetsubin, which is actually an older and far more durable type of material. They are glazed on the interior to help prevent the flavors from mixing.
But you might have a question on what a Yixing teapot would be. These are a form of clay teapot that dates back to the 17th century China. It is made from the Yixing clay that is in the area just outside of Jiangsu in Eastern China. This teapot is used for traditional tea, and is simply designed. In general they tend to be free from patterns that are on other teapots.
While you might think that they would be created in Yixing, you would be incorrect. They are actually made in Dingshy but they do fall under the Yixing administration. This is a very popular tourist spot, and their Yixing Zisha Number 1 Factory has the most clay in the region.
This is only a very small number of examples for each of these teapots. You will be able to find more varieties on the internet, in historical sites and even in retail stores. They will certainly add a level of inspiration to your home, and your guest will notice them. They are lovely to view and have a full function as well.
Looking to find the best deal on Teapots, then visit www.GlassCeramicTeapots.com to find the best advice on Teapots for your needs.
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September 06 2010 | coffee | No Comments »
Over the last two or three years, espresso pods and espresso pod coffee machines have grown enormously in popularity. If you don't know what these ingenious devices are and you like a good espresso coffee, then you have been missing out!
You may actually have seen these coffee pods but not used them. They are small plastic containers, filled with various blends of coffee, and vacuum-sealed with a foil lid. All you have to do is place this little container into your coffee pod machine, switch it on, and the just wait a few seconds while the lid is pierced and the hot water is forced through, in a similar process to a traditional espresso coffee machine.
You place your cup on a small tray underneath the spout of the machine to collect the wonderful-tasting espresso coffee that is poured out as the hot water is forced through the ground coffee in the pod.
Why would you want an espresso pod machine rather than a traditional espresso coffee machine? Well, there are a number of advantages. First, the pod machines are generally cheaper. Also, they are a lot easier to work with, meaning you can get your cup of espresso much quicker. And they don't require as much maintenance.
Personally, I think the coffee that you get from these pod coffee makers tastes every bit as good as a "real" espresso. Maybe a coffee connoisseur might be able to tell the difference, but I certainly can't, and I would challenge you to determine which was which in a side-by-side test.
The convenience factor is what really sets espresso pods apart however. With the old-style espresso machine, you have to clean the thing out after every time you use it, which is, quite frankly, a pain. Whereas with the coffee pod machine, you just insert your espresso pod, flick the switch, and once the coffee is brewed and poured, the used pod is ejected into a waste container. No mess, no fuss, just great coffee every time.
Are there any disadvantages to espresso pods? Well of course the environmentally-conscious individual may not like the fact that each coffee pod is made of plastic and foil, so every time you make a cup of coffee you are contributing to waste. If this is a big issue for you, then you might want to stick with the traditional type of espresso machine, as the only thing you will be disposing of then are the used coffee grounds, which are fully biodegradable of course.
However, there may be places where you can recycle your used coffee pods, you just need to do a bit of research. The combination of convenience, low cost and the ability to choose from many blends gives coffee pod machines the advantage over traditional espresso machines in my book.
Ahead of going out and spending any of your hard earned cash on a new espresso pod maker, you will probably want to read Benjamin's article on espresso pods at the website Coffee Pods Galore. Free reprint avaialable from: The Growing Popularity Of Espresso Pods.
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July 01 2010 | coffee | No Comments »