Matching Teapot Size to Your Tea

October 1, 2024 YuanKevin

For those new to teapots, a common first question is: What size teapot should I buy? Some teapots look quite small, while others seem very large. So, how do you choose the right size?

The size of the teapot depends on two main factors: What type of tea do you usually drink? and How many people do you usually share tea with?

Teapot and Tea Type

Yixing clay teapots are highly favored by tea enthusiasts. There's a saying, "One tea, one pot," which means each type of tea should have its own dedicated teapot. This is because Yixing clay is made from a unique type of clay, different from regular pottery. After firing, Yixing clay develops a double-pore structure that allows air to pass through but not water, making it ideal for brewing tea. It can also absorb the flavor of tea over time, enhancing the tea’s aroma.

Given this, we recommend using one teapot for one type of tea. If you brew different teas in the same pot, the flavors absorbed by the clay can affect the taste of subsequent brews. Therefore, when choosing your first Yixing teapot, consider what kind of tea you usually drink:

Green tea: Since green tea is delicate and shouldn't be steeped for too long, a larger teapot of around 300ml (10oz) is ideal. Clay types like zisha, duanni, and qingshuini are good choices, but avoid zhuni teapots for green tea.
Oolong tea, black tea: These teas expand significantly when steeped, so a pot between 150ml-300ml (5-10oz) works best, allowing the leaves to fully unfold.
Red tea, aged white tea: These teas have fewer restrictions, and smaller teapots are acceptable. Zhuni teapots, which retain heat well, are a good choice for these teas.

Teapot and Number of People

The size of your teapot also depends on how many people you typically drink tea with. If you often enjoy tea alone or with just one other person, a smaller teapot will suffice. However, if you usually serve tea to friends or family, a larger teapot will be necessary.

An easy way to calculate the appropriate size is to divide the teapot’s capacity by the size of your teacups. For instance, if you have a 310ml (10.5oz) teapot and 100ml (3.4oz) teacups, the pot will serve 3 people. If your cups are 50ml (1.7oz), the teapot can serve 6 people.

Yixing Teapot Size Categories

Yixing teapots generally fall into the following size categories:

1. Under 100ml (3.4oz): Extra small teapot
2. 100ml-200ml (3.4-6.8oz): Small teapot
3. 200ml-350ml (6.8-11.8oz): Medium teapot
4. 350ml-600ml (11.8-20.3oz): Large teapot
5. Over 600ml (20.3oz): Extra large teapot

Teacups typically come in three sizes: small cups (about 30ml/1oz), medium cups (about 50ml/1.7oz), and large cups (about 90ml/3oz). If you have a 160ml (5.4oz) teapot, it can serve 4-5 people with small cups, or 3 people with medium cups.

Choosing the right teapot size depends on both the type of tea you drink and your tea-drinking habits. Whether you enjoy tea alone or with others, finding the perfect teapot will enhance your tea experience.