Tea Corner

Traditional Cast Iron Teapots -The Tetsubin

{although the original cast iron tea pots appeared in China sometime during the 13th or 14th centuries, it did not take long for the Japanese people to adopt it for their use in brewing sencha, or loose tea leaves instead of tea that had been crushed into a powdered form.|Cast iron tea pots first appeared in China around the 13th and 14th centuries, but it didn’t take long for Japan to start using these pots in brewing sencha.  Sencha is loose tea leaves as opposed to traditional crushed powdered tea that is usually used for brewing. |In the 13th and 14th centuries in China, cast iron teapots made their first appearance.  It didn’t take long for the trend to spread to Japan, where sencha was first brewed.  Sencha is the use of loose tea leaves to brew tea instead of the usual crushed powdered tea which was used originally in most tea brewing in Japan.}

{Presented to Japan by the Chinese around four hundred years ago, sencha was also considered a medicinal herb which cured many physical and psychological ailments.|The Chinese presented sencha to Japan about 400 years ago.  Sencha was also used in medicine which was able to cure physical and psychological problems.  Interestingly, well-educated people in Japanese society had sencha as a way of showing their rebellion against chanoyu.  Chanoyu was a formal and ceremonial way of drinking tea by the ruling class, which traditionally used powdered green tea known as matcha. |Around 400 years ago, the Chines first presented sencha to Japan.  Sencha was used not only for enjoyment, but also in medicine, to cure physical and psychological ailments.  Well-educated, higher members of Japanese society used sencha to show their disapproval against chanoyu, or a formal tea ceremony for drinking tea by the ruling class.  They used matcha as their traditional powdered green tea. } The well-educated members of Japanese society drank sencha to show their resentment against chanoyu, a very formal, ceremonial tea preparation by the ruling class who used matcha, or powdered green tea leaves instead of sencha.

{With the eventual rise of sencha drinking the use of cast iron tea pots, or tetsubin, became widespread in Japanese society because of the warm-hearted informality this type of ceremony promoted, one which could be casually executed with family members and friends.|As sencha became the usual way of drinking tea with cast iron tea pots, tetsubin – the traditional Japanese name for these pots – was the typical way of drinking tea in Japan.  This brought a sense of informality and warmth to tea ceremonies that could be used with friends and family. |Sencha became the regular way of drinking tea as time went on, and tetsubin (the traditional name for cast iron pots) was soon adopted as tradition.  In most of Japan, the use of tetsubin brought a sense of informality and even warmth to teatime that was welcomed with friends and family settings. }

{At first, these tetsubin were primarily meant just for water boiling and brewing tea leaves so were not decorated or painted.|The tetsubin were traditionally intended strictly for boiling water and brewing tea leaves and therefore weren’t painted in any way.  However in the 19th century cast iron tea pots became decorative and even status indicators depending on how they were used.  Some tea pot makers would decorate their cast iron pots with flowers, figures, and similar designs, which were then layered over with silver and copper – or sometimes even gold – on the inside of the pots. |Tetsubin were originally intended only for the use of boiling water and getting tea leaves brewed, so they weren’t painted in any fancy way.  The 19th century brought about changes in that regard however, when teapots became decorative and status indications of how wealthy a family was.  In fact some teapot makers decorated their pots with flowers, figures, and ceremonial designs that they then layered with silver, gold, or copper inside the pots. } Later, in the 19th century, these cast iron tea pots became more than functional kitchen implements but became viewed as status symbols. Makers of these tea pots began decorating the plain, gray cast iron with relief pictures of flowers, geometric figures, and other small designs, while placing layers of silver, copper and gold on the inside of the cast iron tea pots.

{Iwate and Yamagata, two prefectures (counties) in Japan later became renowned for creating the most sought-after tetsubins because of their beautiful designs, high quality, and affordable prices.|There were two counties in Japan known as Iwate and Yamagata, which were later known for making the best tetsubins because of the amazing quality, intricate craftsmanship, and good pricing. |Two counties in Japan, known as Iwate and Yamagata, later became known for their intricate tetsubin designs thanks to the fantastic craftsmanship, quality, and affordable prices they offered. }

{Because cast iron as a cookware keeps heat and is extremely durable, it is very popular to cook with in addition to brewing great-tasting tea.|Since cast iron is a cooking utensil that is very durable and also retains heat, it is popular to cook with beyond just brewing tea.  Many people actually had a health increase because of the use of cast iron pots, because there was an iron deficiency that was later made up with by cast iron. |Cast iron is a type of material that is great for retaining heat and staying durable, so it is popular for more than brewing tea.  In fact many people saw improvements in their health thanks to the use of cast iron teapots.  There was an iron deficiency which was recognized and later lessened by the use of cast iron. } It was also discovered that because of the iron, people who suffered from iron deficiency also benefitted from eating and drinking food from cast iron tea pots.

{Maintaining your tetsubin does involve a few specific actions to follow, such as remembering not to let tea remain in the tea pot for too long, since this may cause some rust to appear on the inside lining, if it is non-ceramic.|Tetsubin care and maintenance requires watching carefully to ensure that tea doesn’t stay in the pot too long, since this can lead to rusting especially in non-ceramic pots.  Don’t wash a teapot with scratchy scouring pads or any type of detergent that is not mild and easy on the dishes. |Tetsubin should be maintained and cared for with the process of carefully watching to make sure tea doesn’t sit in a pot for more than it should.  This may lead to rusting in certain types of teapots.  Don’t use harsh dish detergent or scratchy washing materials to clean pots, either, as these can scratch the surface of a pot. } Never wash your tea pot with scratchy scouring pads or use something other than a very mild dish detergent.

{Most of the time you can probably get by with just rinsing the tea pot with cold water and gently toweling it off.|Usually you can rinse the teapot with cold water, and then just towel it off, in order to keep it clean.  In traditional Japan, the natural mineral coating from accumulated tea brewing is actually helpful to the health.  Don’t allow salt or oil to stay on the inside of the teapot, since this could lead to surface damage. |Tetsubin should be maintained and cared for with the process of carefully watching to make sure tea doesn’t sit in a pot for more than it should.  This may lead to rusting in certain types of teapots.  Don’t use harsh dish detergent or scratchy washing materials to clean pots, either, as these can scratch the surface of a pot. } Japanese tradition claims that the all-natural mineral coating which accumulates from brewing tea is beneficial for one’s health. Also, don’t let oil or salt lay on the surface of the tea pot as this could damage the surface.

{Cast iron teapots make wonderful gifts for any occasion and will also lend to the ambience of a unique décor as an adornment in the kitchen.|Cast iron teapots are great gifts for any type of event, and can be wonderful in lending to the ambience of a kitchen or other dining area.  The appearance of a teapot, unique and antique, is a good contrast to technology and the usual modern appearance of our kitchenware.  You can have many years of enjoyment with a good teapot made of cast iron. |A cast iron teapot makes a great gift for anyone and any age, and can do a great deal to lend to ambience in a kitchen.  The appearance of a cast iron teapot is both unique and old-fashioned in some ways, providing a nice contrast to the typical modern settings we see in most kitchens of today.  You can have a lot of use and enjoyment from a tetsubin, if you wish, as these cast iron pots are not only durable but also quite attractive and ceremonial.} Its antique appearance is the perfect antithesis to the modern technology of today’s kitchenware and will give you years of enjoyment with the proper care.

Doc No:1208-CF-ULT5-dc16

Add Asian style to your team time with cast iron teapots, yixing teapots and glass teapots that brew your favorite tea and look great in the kitchen.

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