What material? My teapots are ceramic and tea discolors them.Superposed_Cat said:Hi, I was watching Sherlock s1e2 which featured someone explaining that teapots where kept shiny from continued exposure to tea, what compound causes this does anyone know?
So, the pots are actually discolored by the tea, if the pot is light enough for you to notice. That's what I thought. Thanks Enigman.Enigman said:Might help-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yixing_clay_teapot#Use_with_tea
http://www.wikihow.com/Season-a-Yixing-Teapot
http://www.teamuse.com/article_110502.html
Best I can glean through random forum/blog posts-
The Yixing clay is porous and absorbs the tea oils and tannins to form a patina on the surface.
Tea contains tannins, which act as a natural cleaning agent and can help remove stains and buildup on the surface of a teapot. These tannins also create a protective layer that can prevent new stains from forming.
Black tea is typically recommended for cleaning and shining teapots. However, any type of tea can be effective due to the presence of tannins. Green tea and herbal teas may have a milder effect, but can still help keep your teapot shiny.
You can either brew a strong pot of tea and use it to scrub the inside and outside of your teapot, or you can soak your teapot in a mixture of hot water and tea leaves for a few hours. Both methods should result in a shiny teapot.
This will depend on how frequently you use your teapot and how dirty it gets. Ideally, you should clean your teapot with tea every few weeks to maintain its shine. If you notice a lot of buildup or stains, you may want to clean it more often.
Yes, tea can be used to clean and shine other kitchen items such as mugs, silverware, and even sinks and countertops. The tannins in tea can help remove stains and leave a shiny surface behind. However, it may not be as effective on tougher stains or buildup.