Do you remember when?… Oh gosh I must be getting older if I’m starting a sentence like that…Oh well here goes. Do you remember when you used to use a Teapot? You know, that chubby, homely looking piece of pottery, with a spout and a handle that used to sit comfortably in your kitchen. Perhaps you are one of the few who still use one, or could possibly locate one at the back of your cupboard if you looked hard enough. Maybe after reading this blog you might even be inspired to get it out and give it a dust.. Do let me know.
‘Legend has it that in the year 2737 BC tea leaves from the Camellia Sinensis tree floated down into a bowl of water being boiled for Shen Nung the Emporer of China. Finding that he rather enjoyed the taste he continued drinking “tay”. Tea didn’t reach Europe until 1610 when Dutch traders brought it back to Holland and of course now it is the drink of choice for us Brits and many others throughout Europe’. An interesting bit of trivia!
The Teapot which came later was at first used for just one or two cups, and often carried around for personal use. The drinker would apparently drink straight from the spout. Hmm, maybe worth a try although I think I prefer mine in a mug unless im on a posh day, or having a ‘remembering my mum moment’ in which case a china cup and saucer is definitely preferred.
I guess we have the ‘T bag’ to blame for the decline of the Teapot, it’s so much quicker and easier to just chuck one in a mug and drown it in water, but is that the answer? Is quicker and easier better? or are we loosing something in the passing by of the Good ol’ Teapot, and the time it takes to make an old-fashioned brew.
I think we are. The Teapot symbolizes friendship, companionship, chatting and sharing. It says ‘Im making time for you’. Picture a plump, brightly coloured Teapot sat in the middle of a table, surrounded by a group of friends sharing their deepest troubles and joys. The Teapot sits quietly, nonchalantly. Faithfully doing its job of keeping the tea warm while listening in to the chattering voices that surround it, understanding the importance of quietly kept confidences. From time to time it smiles as it’s lifted up and tilted towards a favourite mug or tea-cup, as friends happily share from one vessel. The Teapot unites us.
Time is such a precious commodity and yet how often do we hear people say ‘I havent got time’ or ‘I havent had time’ or ‘there just aren’t enough hours in the day’. Maybe they should go and buy a Teapot, and enjoy the old-fashioned ritual. The warming of the pot, the waiting for it to brew, deciding to have just one more cup before it goes cold. It really is an art form and one that is sadly fading.
I think my recipe for a good cup of tea would be this:
1 whistling kettle, 1 Tea pot, 1 mug, 1 tsp tea leaves, a little milk (I prefer goats milk) 1 tsp of time and 1 tsp patience. A little sunshine always helps along with a good friend.(recipe to be adjusted for two). Oh and dont forget the strainer!
Try it and let me know how you got on.. you may find that taking some time, actually produces more, as relaxation and the taste of a good well made cuppa recharges your batteries and restores you.
I always feel quite sad when I break a tea-pot. I just think they hold such precious daily memories. It’s usually the lid that gets broken and once that has gone you really need to go and buy a new one, but I always find it hard to throw the old one away and often try to think of a good use for a lidless Pot.
I was faced with throwing this one away the other day. Its been sat on a shelf for a long time, but I really didn’t want to part with it as it holds memories of a certain time of my life. Thankfully I found a new use for it and although I don’t have a picture I was excited to see a little blue tit flying in and out of it the other day enjoying a good meal.
Its seems to me that there was no good reason to sack the Teapot, but I can think of lots of reasons to reinstate it.
Love Alison x
Through rose tinted glasses. 
What a beautiful post with an important message, lovely photos, too. I love the idea of what the teapot does for friends just sitting around, chatting and sharing confidences. The bonding it brings and how it smiles when lifted to pour yet another cup of tea. I’m sure most everyone is guilty of saying, “I don’t have time.” Well done, Alison!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah thankyou so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Enjoy a tasty cup of tea this weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clever repurposing of your lid-less pot, Alison. Hung by its handle, it could be a self-draining birdhouse, too. 😉
I use a teapot and loose black tea as I think it tastes better, but most of our herbal tea is bagged for ease. I use an electric pot to heat the water, but I’m not opposed to reheating tea via the microwave, a convenient, if controversial, invention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats a thought. I caught the blue tit popping in for a feed earlier today but still havent managed a photo.
LikeLike
I love this post. The teabag has certainly removed the teapot to the back of many a cupboard. But I am really wanting to get back to it. The mug tea is too quick and the flavour of the tea raw and not fully brewed. My mum had lots of teapots, bought years ago or inherited, including a big brown betty pot. I remember my nana telling me never to wash the teapot as the tanine brewed a good strong tea. My dad would top up the pot. In the end the tea was so strong you could stand a spoon up in it!
I did have lots of loose tea a few years ago including Russian caravan. Loose tea and made in a small pot. It was delicious. It will be lovely being able to have two cups and no boiling a kettle in between. I also know you shouldn’t burn the tea with boiling water. Better to let the kettle go off book and then pour into the pot. Tea-bags make tea a rush. Will be good to slow down. One spoon per person and one for the pot.
I love your birdhouse too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like you need to keep hold of some of those teapots of your mums. I should have added a spoon for the pot to my recipie. Glad you enjoyed reading it, Ive had the title in my mind for a while. Funny thing is yesterday i dropped a glass but it didnt break, then later i went to make a cuppa and my little solo teapot had been broken by the glass!!.. strange how these things happen but a good excuse to buy myself a new one.
LikeLike
My grandma used to call me her “little tea pourer” and I am always remembering her when I drink tea. It’s about more than the hot liquid, as you say. The teapot unites people. I’m glad you kept that one ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
It seems like everyone values tea for more than just the taste, I think it brings up a lot of memories for us all from shared moments. Thanks Christy x
LikeLiked by 2 people
I still love my teapot. My problem has always been keeping it warm – even with a tea cosy. But it’s worth it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that can be a problem..I need a tea cosy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My sister gave me a teapot as a gift years ago and I dusted it off just a few months ago. It’s prominently displayed in the kitchen. I use it often especially in cold days. Yes…it really is an art form. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to give gifts a revamp. I use a little single one quite often just for myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you repurposed the teapot to become a little haven for the birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou, they took a few days but soon started feeding from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a tea lover I still use the teapot as I find it is how the infusion is at it’s best. Tea time is also for me a precious moment in my day when I can unwind and relax. The pleasure is double if it is done in the presence of a friend. I just learned that there is a flower named TeaCup. And it is a beautiful species. I will order some seeds and try to grow some in my garden. Love the way you reused your old teapot. Brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The birds like it but havent managed a photo yet. Im gonna go and have a cuppa now. Ill think of you .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy! I’ll have mine later and do the same. 😊
LikeLike
I’ll admit it: I like tea pots also. My ex-wife, who is from Scandinavia, introduced me to the joys of having tea with friends and having a teapot warming over a small tea light. Ever since she left me (and, looking back, I can’t blame her), I haven’t had tea from a pot. Don’t even have a teapot any more. But I’m moving to an apartment with a balcony and am planning on getting a teapot to enjoy a couple cups of tea while reading, among other books, my favorite book – the Bible. Being an ex-camper and backpacker, I have a bunch of cans of what is called ‘sterno’, which I can use instead of a tea light candle to keep the pot good and warm. I’m looking forward to it.
First, though, I have to find a tea pot….
Shalom! (Peace to you),
– Yosef
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah I hope you find a good one, it is a lovely way to enjoy tea with friends. Thank you for reading my post and enjoy reading on your balcony..sounds lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person