Tea Kettle
The legend behind the discovery of tea was that Emperor Shen Nung, a scientist, and herbalist, decided to drink from a caldron he was watching over in his garden after the leaves from a nearby camellia shrub fell into it, creating a wonderfully aromatic fragrance that enticed him. After drinking the deliciously energizing tea, he was so impressed and believed the drink possessed health benefits. That was around 2737 B.C. And the rest is, shall we say, “history”?
The tradition of tea drinking continues. Tea is regarded highly for its health benefits, where it can nourish and support general good health. From helping to induce sleep, enhance memory, and address congestion, allergies, and digestive issues, herbal tea drinking can be part of anyone’s daily rituals. And that’s where a great teapot or kettle comes in. They are the perfect vessel to help bring out tea leaves’ beautiful aromas and flavors during steeping.
Tea drinking is one of my favorite daily health rituals. Although I’m no expert in herbalism, I have taken a certification course in herbal studies, which is a valuable tool for keeping me healthy.
Yes, back to the teapot; if you already don’t own one and are interested in getting one, I am more than happy to suggest a few, but first, here is what you should know. Not all tea kettles are created equal. When buying, it’s a good idea to consider the materials they are made from if you’re health-conscious since the chemicals can ruin the flavor of your tea and affect your health over time.
What to Avoid When Buying Tea Kettles
Copper kettles - If not lined with stainless steel, they can become rusty and leach materials into the boiling water, putting you at risk for copper poisoning that can harm the liver and kidneys.
Aluminum kettles - If you have kidney issues, you may want to avoid aluminum cookware altogether. The Aluminum can leach into the water or food, and that gets filtered through your kidneys.
Bright-glazed kettles - Any cookware that’s been glazed, you probably should avoid, especially those made in China, as the colored enables contain lead.
Exposed plastic kettles - A plastic kettle with plastic-exposing parts can leach BPA and phthalates when the water you’re boiling comes into contact with it. These compounds can disrupt hormones and brain function.
Better Alternatives
Cast iron - My fave! Cast iron cookware lasts forever, also for tea kettles made from cast iron. Although some may worry they leach iron, they are great investments, but most people don’t get enough in their diet. Unless you have hemochromatosis, then do avoid cast iron cookware.
Stainless steel - Stainless steel contains chromium and nickel to help prevent rusting. If you’ve looked at the product description, you may have noticed numbers like 18/8. The eighteen represents the percentage of chromium, and the number eight is the percentage of nickel. Look for 18/0 if you are allergic to nickel.
Borosilicate glass - Although easy to break from impact, tea kettle made from glass is probably the healthiest option unless they are stained with color, tinted, or painted on.
Tea Brewing Measurements
A good rule of thumb when brewing one cup of tea is to measure one teaspoon of dried or two fresh herbs into a teapot. Add to boiling water, cover, steep for ten to fifteen minutes, and strain into a cup.
