How are Glass Teapots Made?

One of the best things about working with high quality tea is the sheer amount of expertly-honed craftspeople and wares you come in contact with, all united for the sake of a precious moment where time slows and there is nothing more pressing than enjoying a cup of tea. Take for instance the bamboo matcha whisk, the tea caddy that your grandmother used to have, or the glass teapot. Typically, these items are taken for granted, but once you know just a little bit more about them, their beauty is multiplied exponentially. 

Let me be clear: a glass teapot is nothing to be overlooked - it is the Main Event of the Evening. As they become more widespread, however, we are at risk of forgetting that their very existence is miraculous. How are they made, and how do they withstand the high temperatures required to make a beautiful cup of tea?

Heat resistant glass has a different composition and tempering process to its decorative counterpart, with rapid cooling throughout the creation process ensuring high structural integrity. Boron oxide may be added to the sand for the glass creation, which also increases structural integrity as it is particularly well adept at binding the other components. These changes result in a glass that is more resilient to intense temperature changes, as you would expect of anything in which hot tea is brewed!

Glass teapots, of course, are not mere sheets of glass but must be designed with utmost care and attention. Watch the mesmerising process below!