Amazon.com Review
For several years running, the artists at Joyce Chen have created a beautiful new teapot to honor the zodiac animal associated with each Chinese New Year. These teapots are called “tetsubins,” after the Japanese term for cast-iron teapots, and this Year of the Monkey Tetsubin is a handsome installment in the series. Crafted with a pleasing rounded shape, a steeply curved spout, and an arced handle, the teapot features a stylized bas-relief image of monkeys in treetops. Mossy green coloring along with spare yet elegant detailing, like the distinctive lid finial, add graceful finishing touches to the design.
Crafted from cast iron, the Year of the Monkey teapot offers superior heat retention to maximize flavor during brewing and keep tea piping hot. The interior is coated with porcelain enamel to prevent the metal from reacting with the tea, and the infuser is stainless steel. Safe on the stovetop, the piece holds 25 ounces and should be washed by hand. –Emily Bedard
Product Description
This 25 oz Year of the Monkey Japanese Tetsubin (Cast Iron Teapot) is part of the Chinese Zodiac Series which is an exclusive Joyce Chen collection. Japanese artists create a new commemorative Tetsubin to celebrate and greet each Chinese New Year. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying, “This is the animal that hides in your heart.” These Japanese cast iron Tetsubin with their exquisite relief designs are admired and collected not only for their quiet delicacy but also for their ability to brew a perfect cup of tea. Each hand cast, cast iron teapot comes with a stainless steel mesh infuser and is finished with porcelain enamel on the interior. Safe for the stove top but beautiful enough to use as a decor piece this Green Year of the Monkey Tetsubin features a stylized monkey in relief. The cast iron keeps brewed tea extremely hot yet the interior porcelain enamel keeps the metal from interacting with the tea or imparting a metallic taste. Whether beginning or ending the day you’ll find it easy to make your favorite beverage in one of these lovely and useful teapots. Joyce Chen’s slogan “Eastern Cookware for the Western Kitchen,” reflects her focus on providing high-quality, versatile tools and products that have Asian flair, but can be used in a western kitchen. Joyce Chen opened her first restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1958. The restaurant flourished, and in 1973 a larger Cambridge restaurant was opened. Chen also began writing Chinese cookbooks and in the 1970s began hosting a cooking show on public television. She found that the selection and quality of Chinese cookware in America didn’t live up to her high standards¿ so she developed her own. Today, Joyce Chen Products come from all over the Pacific Rim to bring the best of Asia to you.