There are several things to consider when looking for a decent tea pot. You'll want something that is both beautiful and practical ? a lovely pot that pours well and keeps your tea hot. Some people also have different pots for different types of tea ? an everyday pot for black tea will not be suitable for making green tea, for example. There are many factors to consider when choosing a tea pot.

A brief guide to teapots:

Teapot history

Teapots were first invented in China, where tea has been grown and drunk for thousands of years. Europeans brought teapots home in the 1800s, where they were received with great curiosity. The name ?china? for delicate pottery comes from the fact that Chinese pottery was far finer than any seen before at the time, and was named after the place it came from. In those days, Chinese tea pots and cups were small, made for individuals rather than for sharing. These days we like to have both ? a small pot for our own tea and big, fancy pots for afternoon visitors. There are china, silver and even aluminium pots available, in every conceivable shape and design. But how do you find a really good pot?

Choosing your pot

The classic Western teapot is the ?brown betty? ? a big, rounded pot that is used for everyday tea and works hard. The brown or black color means that tannin stains won't show up and the fat round belly helps the tea to brew fully. As an all rounder, a simple pot like this is indispensable ? here are the things to check when shopping for your everyday pot:

?Is the pot pretty? One of the warming things about a cup of tea is the sight of a nice round pot, with cosy curves and a good color glaze.

?How hard is the clay? Tap the pot with a fingernail and listen to the sound. The sharper the tap, the harder the clay, the better the pot.

?Does the lid fit tight? To avoid dribbles your pot should have a lid that fits very snugly and doesn't allow air to escape.

?The spout is very important ? look to see that the top is level with the top of the teapot. An oval shaped spout is preferable to a rounded one as it will drip less.

?Practically speaking, you need to be able to lift the pot and pour easily, without scalding yourself or spraining your wrist! Check the pot is not too heavy ? remember you'll be lifting it full of hot tea ? and that the handle is well attached. There should be plenty of space between your knuckles and the side of the pot to avoid burnt fingers, and the spout should extend far enough to avoid steam rising to burn your hand as it holds the lid steady.

Once you've found your perfect pot, be sure to celebrate with a good brew!