Choosing a teapot: glass, clay or cast iron

The pot you brew in changes how a tea tastes, how hot it stays and how it pours.

Glass, clay, iron

Glass lets you watch the leaves; clay softens a strong oolong; cast iron keeps a black tea hot for longer.

One pot for greens and one for everything else is a very good start.

A slow cup, the way we like it.

• Warm the pot first.
• Never use soap on clay.
• Dry cast iron straight away.