Brewing a cuppa in a glass teapot makes it ‘more healthy’ than an earthenware one, research finds

Fancy a cuppa? Brewing it in a glass teapot may make it healthier, scientists claim.

Researchers found that a normal cup of black tea has the highest level of health-boosting antioxidants when poured from a glass or silica teapot.

But if taste is your priority, an earthenware pot such as the historic Brown Betty teapot will produce the most rounded flavour.

Researchers investigated whether the material a teapot is made from can affect its health benefits and taste. They tested five types of teapot – earthenware, glass, stainless steel, silica gel and porcelain – and brewed 585 cups of tea using black, green and oolong varieties.

The method was strictly scientific: 3g of the tea was placed into each teapot, and 125ml of boiling water was added and allowed to brew for five minutes.

The teapots were then gently swirled three times in a circular motion before the tea, at a temperature of 70C-80C, was poured into pre-warmed cups.

Brewing tea in a glass teapot may make it healthier, scientists have claimed in a new study

Your cup of tea might taste better, however, if it is brewed in a traditional earthenware pot

The Taiwanese scientists, from the National Taichung University, said they were surprised to find that standard black tea contained a greater concentration of catechins – antioxidants which protect against cell damage – than green tea, which has long been considered healthier.

While a porcelain teapot may be considered fancier, it got the poorest rating for both flavour and catechin concentration. It also cooled the tea most quickly.

But on the flavour front, earthenware teapots got the highest ratings, followed by glass and stainless steel.