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Tea, with its soothing warmth and aromatic charm, has been a beloved beverage across cultures for centuries. It's a comforting ritual that often accompanies moments of relaxation and contemplation. But a crucial companion to this cherished beverage is often overlooked – the teapot. Just as the right blend of tea leaves can create the perfect cup, the right teapot can enhance the entire experience. Guinness World Records recently shared a post on social media about the world's most expensive teapot, a title it has held since 2016.
This teapot is more than just a functional object; it is a stunning display of artistry, tradition, and refinement. The narrative exemplifies the value of these vessels beyond their practical use and illustrates the skill required to make them. The post was captioned as “This is the most valuable teapot in the world. Owned by the N Sethia Foundation in the UK, the teapot is made from 18-carat yellow gold with cut diamond covering the entire body and a 6.67-carat ruby in the centre. The teapot's handle is made from fossilized mammoth ivory. It was valued in 2016 to be worth $3,000,000 (£2,307,900, €2,704,800).
Guinness World Records named Newby's The Egoist, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece teapot built by the company's enthusiastic chairman Mr. Nirmal Sethia, the "Most Valuable Teapot in the World" for a price tag of up to $3 million on September 6, 2016.
This exquisite teapot was decorated with genuine diamonds and rubies hand-selected by Nirmal Sethia. With a super-fine Thai ruby set in a sun-shaped frame and 1658 round diamonds radiating light in every hue of the spectrum, this teapot is truly a work of art. The handle is carved from mammoth ivory, and the lid is beaded with genuine rubies. Since the N Sethia Foundation is involved in a number of philanthropic endeavours, including supporting the Chitra Sethia Centre for Robotics and Minimal Access Surgery and the Chitra Sethia Autism Centre in Cambridge, they are now the legal owners of the Egoist.
Teapot Etiquettes
Warm the Pot: The teapot should be warmed by swirling hot water within it before the tea leaves and water are added. This maintains a steady brewing temperature for the tea.
Amount of Tea: Use the correct number of tea leaves for the amount of water you intend to use. There should be about a teaspoon of loose tea leaves in each cup.
Steeping Time: Teas have varying recommended steeping times. Bitter or underwhelming flavours can be avoided by sticking to the rules. Set a timer to ensure perfection.
Lid and Pouring: To keep the heat and oils in during steeping, cover the teapot with the lid. Holding the lid down when pouring will keep it from flying off and make for a more controlled flow.
Stir and Serve: Before serving, give the tea a gentle stir in the pot to combine the flavours. Tea tastes best when served in previously warmed mugs.
