I cannot believe how awesome this teapot is!
Okay – yes, it appears as though the spout would drip.
It also looks as though it would totally off balance when you try to pour it, unless there’s another handle just like it on the other side. It’s definitely a two-handed pour. As clumsy as I am, I still would spill it.
Finally, it costs $168.00 (or about €17.50 or £6.70 – sigh, ok I exaggerate). Do you know how many “Brown Betty” teapots you could get for that? You get exactly eight (8) comparable “Brown Betty” teapots for that amount.
However, it is awesome to behold.
Nope, must stay away from Sandinavian designs.

Teapot Méxicana – Could not resist getting this for mother’s teapot collection. I picked it up at the Terlingua Trading Company in Terlingua, Texas. For pictures of the area click here.

As goofy as this might look, it is a great teapot. It’s big, but it is well balanced.

I first thought it was gaudy, but it quickly grew on me.,

Normally, when I find loose tea it is Twinnig’s tea. I am talking about regular supermarket shopping, mind you. This was at Wal-Mart, which featured loose Lipton, but bagged Twinnig’s.

Loose tea made a bit of a comeback with tea makers, akin to coffee makers. However, those do not seem to have taken off, and one has trouble finding the loose stuff.

So, what’s the big deal?

Well, a tea purist might tell you that the loose tea provides a much fuller flavor, as the leaves are not confined and get better immersion. You also have the ability to vary the amount, so you can make your tea as strong or as weak as you want.

All of that is important. However, one of the main reasons you might want to look for loose rather tea, rather than tea bags, is the price. Loose tea is about half the price, sometimes even less.

Yes, it takes a little – emphasize little – bit more work. You can just dump a teaspoon in loose (just have a strainer handy). Or you can use an infuser, such as the one shown here.

Finally, don’t forget to preheat the pot. Some hot water will warm the pot so the pot temperature doesn’t cool the water and it gets to the tea leaves piping hot.