| Type | Strength | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain pot with large infuser | Handles every tea; no odor or stain carryover | Your first pot; drinking across tea types | Plain looks, usually |
| Heat-resistant glass pot | You watch the leaves unfurl and the color develop | Herbal and blooming teas; looks-first buyers | Cools fast and breaks easily |
| Cast-iron pot (enameled inside) | Holds heat longest; sturdy with real presence | Long, unhurried tea sessions | Heavy, and the enamel lining can't go on a stove |
| In-mug infuser (basket only) | Cheapest, stores anywhere | Desk tea, one cup at a time | One cup per brew and second steepings are awkward |
Which Teapot Should You Buy First?
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A porcelain pot around 12 oz (360 ml) with a large built-in infuser basket that lets the leaves open fully. It brews green, black, and oolong equally well and holds onto no odor or stain.