What Is a Tea Cosy and How to Use It?

For centuries, around the world, people drank tea to relax, soothe and refresh. It is a ritual that we need now more than ever. But tea has a far bigger meaning than just for quenching thirst. The practice of drinking tea can be a shared experience that brings you closer with your friends and family, or it can be a gateway for getting to know yourself better. Whichever the case, sometimes you can not finish a whole pot of tea before it cools off (or if you are alone). Luckily when that happens, you can use a tea cosy, a little comforter for your teapot to keep your tea warm.

What is Tea Cosy?

Tea cosies have been around for many years. They were created long before the electric tea kettles. Tea connoisseurs have used them intending to secure the desired flavour and stimulating effect. The purpose of tea cosies is to keep the tea warm inside the teapot. These lovely teapot covers can be made from different materials. Traditionally they were made from cloth, but some cosies can be hand-knitted or even embroidered.  

Although the primary purpose of the cosy is to insulate and keep the tea hot, over the years a cosy has become more of a statement as well. The choices are endless and it gives you a chance to personalize your tea collection. 

Why Are Tea Cosies So Popular? 

We all know that tea is an aromatic beverage prepared with hot water and fresh or cured leaves. But the ritual of making tea is so much more than that - it can be a form of art and precision. Many things go into the perfect cup of tea - like the perfect temperature, type of tea, steeping time, etc. Furthermore, there are various different types of tea. Some of them have a cooling, bitter flavour, others have more sweet, floral notes.

Tea is the second most-consumed drink in the world, right after water. The UK Tea and Infusion Association says that 84% of the population drinks tea every day. UKTIA says that about 100 million cups of tea are consumed daily. The UK is the third-largest tea-drinking nation, right behind Turkey and Ireland. 

Drinking tea is a deep-rooted ritual in the British way of life. From mornings to afternoon to late nights, the kettles are brewing in many households across the country. Of course, this tradition is carried out all around the world. 

With tea being so important in the everyday life it's no surprise that people are obsessed with the accessories that come along with this precious ritual. One of the most popular and also useful addition is the tea cosy. 

History and Origin of Tea Cosy

It is believed that tea was first introduced in Britain around the 1650s in the London coffee houses. However the first reported use of tea cosy was in 1867, according to Richard Rutt in his book "A History of Hand Knitting". 

Apparently, Anna Russel the Duchess of Bedford, a very close friend of Queen Victoria was the originator of the "afternoon tea" in the 1840s. At that time lunch was eaten very early and supper very late. The dutchess had a habit of taking tea in the afternoon with a light meal. She started inviting her friends to join her and created a tea ritual with immediate success. Afternoon tea time was quintessential for keeping up to date with aristocracy news and gossip. With all the chitter-chatter it was unavoidable that the teapot would get cold, which would result in cutting the tea parties short. This brought the popularity of tea cosies. 

The Victorian era, in the late 19th century, was the blooming period for tea cosies. The homemakers were obsessed with the different styles and patterns of tea cosies. They were essential in many households across Britain.

There is a story going around that during the Second World War, the wounded soldiers that spent their time in Ceylon (today's Sri Lanka) were taught to knit tea cosies to avoid boredom. 

After initiating the "afternoon tea", many utensils, cakes, artefacts were induced. The sugar bowls, tea cosies, tiny porcelain teacups, silver teapots, muffins and crumpets, scones with jam, cakes are all additions that bring the best in tea. Both in serving and its drinking.

How to Use Tea Cosy?

Using a tea cosy is fairly easy. A good cosy should be big enough to cover the entire teapot, leaving a little space around it to form an insulating air barrier. The trapped air works as a natural insulator. 

Depending on the type of tea cosy you can either cover the whole teapot or use a cosy that has openings for the handle and the sprout. 

When using a cosy your tea should stay warm for at least an hour. This gives you plenty of time to chat with your friends and family and enjoy your lovely and warm tea. 

What Materials Are Tea Cosies Made Of?

Tea cosies can be made from various different materials. Most of them are made from 100% cotton fabric. Also, they can be made from linen, lace, wool, some can be crocheted, some can be embroidered. The options are numerous, and the choices are ultimately depending on your style and preferences. 

Types of Tea Cosy

This tea accessory can be found in myriads of stylish designs, shapes and colours.  The only limitation is one's imagination. As for types goes, there are a couple of main types of tea cosies that are usually found on the market. 

• Tea Cosies That Cover the Whole Teapot

These types of cosies are the most common ones. They can be quite large and they cover the whole teapot, including the sprout and the handle. Because of this, they do a great job of keeping your tea warm for a longer time. They can be made of different materials and can come in different designs. 

The only disadvantage when using this type of tea cosy is that you need to remove the whole cosy every time you want to pour more tea. However, if you are considering keeping your teapot warm for in-between smaller cups of tea, this can be a perfect match for you. 

• Tea Cosies That Have Openings for the Sprout and the Handle

This type of cosy is designed with openings or slits for the handle and the sprout to fit through. Some of them are created in a way that can be tied around the teapot. 

With this type of cosy, you can just pour your tea. But, as the spout is uncovered, it will be easier for the heat to escape from the teapot, thus resulting in you having to deal with lukewarm tea in a short time.

Tea cosies can come in a range of designs from sophisticated laced ones to folksy, from knitted to hoity-toity. They can come in various shapes, such as cake-shaped, crown-shaped, animal-shaped, with or without pom-poms. The variations are endless.

The Difference Between Tea Cosy and Tea Cozy?

There is no actual difference between tea cosy and tea cozy, except for the spelling. Tea cosy is the British way to spell it, while in the United States and other parts of the world is known as cozy. 

The British tradition crossed over the ocean to the States during the Victorian era. In the time of high popularity, they were handmade and decorated, usually embroider. In a Philadelphian newspaper from 1892 was stated that tea cosies were receiving popularity from women who were hosting afternoon teas.

Tea drinkers can use whatever spelling they want. Regardless of how you say it, tea cosy is a practical way to enjoy your tea warm. 

Do I Need a Tea Cosy? 

If you love drinking tea, or frequently host guests that do then a tea cosy would come in handy. Tea cosy will help you keep the conversation longer and will save you the trouble of warming your tea or even worst drinking it cold. You will be able to relax and enjoy your friends and family's company. 

Also, if you are not a big fan of drinking tea, cosies can be a perfect gift for someone who is. There are lots of cute and whimsical styles from which you can choose. 

Final Thoughts 

Tea cosies have a great history and they are still very popular today. That says a lot about an item that has succeeded to stay relevant throughout different eras. Mostly that can be attributed to the usefulness of the cosy. 

Your tea cosy is your trusty friend when making tea. They are an inexpensive, and decorative way to enjoy your warm, fresh tea while having quality and uninterrupted conversations at teatime. 

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