Choosing The Right Teapots For Your Catering Business

Choosing the right teapots for your catering business will depend on a number of different things such as how many covers you can cater for, how the teapots will be used and the type of tea you will be serving. Some of the most important things to consider when selecting teapots include the material, size, shape, colour and if you require infusers. This informative guide will help you to choose the most appropriate teapots to meet your needs.

Which Teapot Material Is Best?

There are multiple options when it comes to the material of teapots, each will have its own advantages and disadvantages as well as bringing its own individual style.  For example, stainless steel teapots are highly practical, whereas porcelain may be a better choice for those offering a fine dining experience.  Here we will outline for of the most common materials and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each:

Stainless Steel Teapots

ADVANTAGES

• Durable - Stainless steel is strong, durable and unlikely to break which is therefore cost effective and convenient.
• Excellent heat retention - stainless steel retains heat exceptionally well.
• Low maintenance - stainless steel is incredibly easy to look after and as most stainless steel teapots have connected/hinged lids there’s no worry about losing lids and sourced replacements.
• Lightweight - Stainless steel is lightweight, which makes it easier to handle for long periods of time. 
• Contemporary Style - stainless steel is modern, understated and is bright and attractive.

DISADVANTAGES

• Hot External Surfaces - the external walls and sometimes the handles of stainless steel teapots can become very hot.
• Over Steeped Tea - Stainless steel pots are perfect for bagged tea, but some loose leaves don’t taste so good when kept hot for long periods of time, resulting in over steeping and the release of tannins.
• Standard Style - Stainless steel may not bring the same aesthetic as porcelain teapots for example.  

Porcelain Teapots

ADVANTAGES

• Aesthetically Appealing - Porcelain teapots look refined, delicate and luxurious.  They are a popular choice for hotels and restaurants.
• Low Heat Transference - Porcelain doesn't conduct or transfer heat like stainless steel does making porcelain teapots easier for staff and consumers to handle.
• Durable - Porcelain is actuall;y quite durable.  It isn’t as strong as stainless steel, but is less likely to break compared to ceramic.

DISADVANTAGES

• Low Heat Retention - Porcelain is usually really cool to the touch, this is because it is a poor conductor of heat.  Porcelain teapots will not retain heat for a long period of time compared to stainless steel, but for enough time for customers to enjoy their tea.
• Temperature Shock - Porcelain can be incredibly fragile when exposed to boiling water, causing it to crack.  Thermal shock is much more unlikely now due to modern vitrification methods and the elimination of imperfections.  

Ceramic Teapots

ADVANTAGES

• Good Heat Retention - Ceramic teapots offer a medium level of heat retention and are a good middle of the road choice.  They won’t be too hot or too cold and won’t overstew your tea.  
• Variety Of Designs - Ceramic teapots are made from a highly versatile material and this offers a wide range of sizes and designs.  

DISADVANTAGES

• Harder To Clean - Ceramic teapots can be more prone to staining and therefore may need a little extra effort when it comes to cleaning.  
• Potential Flavour Retention -  Unglazed or un-vitrified ceramic teapot interiors are known to absorb flavours over time.  This can impact tea brewed in them in the future. Most commercial ceramic teapots will be glazed.
• Lower Damage Resistance - Ceramic teapots can be more at risk of damage and chips. Many manufacturers now take steps to maximise ceramic teapot chip resistance.  

Which Size Teapot To Choose

Choosing the size of your teapots will depend on how you serve your tea.  If you offer tea for one, two or even four you’ll be able to choose a pot to reflect this.  Alternatively you may require something bigger to serve at a breakfast buffet station or to fill individual cups at formal events.   Here is an approximation guide:

• 1 Cup - Approx 170-225 ml or 6-8 fluid ounces
• 2 Cups - Approx 340-450 ml or 12-16 fluid ounces
• 4 Cups - Approx 680-900 ml or 24-32 fluid ounces

Which Shape Teapot Makes The Best Tea?

The shape of your chosen teapot won’t necessarily impact the flavour or quality of your tea.  Shape is down to personal choice and the style you wish to bring to your establishment.  

Compact teapots, such as the Seasons By Porcelite Oatmeal Conic, are ideal space savers.  They feature smaller handles and spouts and many compact teapots boast modern designs perfect for contemporary settings.  

Upright teapots offer a taller and more slender design and can often be used for either tea or coffee.  If this is what you have in mind, take a look at the Olympia Whiteware Teapots.

If rounded teapots are the style you are looking for then we have a few choices such as the Simply Tableware White Teapot and the Imperial Fine China Imperial Tea Pot.  Round teapots look comforting and traditional, and the rounded body sits on a narrower base which helps to minimise heat transference with cold surfaces.  

Choosing The Right Colour Teapot

Traditionally, British teapots were most often a glossy brown, known as a ‘Brown Betty’ pot made from red clay.  White pots soon became a leading competitor and were associated with being higher quality.  Today, teapots are available in a wide range of colours which can help to blend in or stand out with the decor of your restaurant, cafe or bar.   The Café by Costa Verde crockery collection features bright and vivid colours with teapots, cups and saucers to match.   

What About Infusers?

If you serve loose leaf tea, then tea pots with built in infusers such as the Bevande Collections are a great choice.  They are available in a wide palette of colours and will bring a bright and cheery feel to your drinks service.  Infusers allow customers to brew their tea to their liking and prevent leaves from remaining in the tea.  

There’s so much to consider when choosing the right teapots.  With such a broad range of colours, shapes, sizes and materials available here, we are sure you will find something you and your customers will love.

Source: https://www.nisbets.co.uk/how-to-choose-a-teapot