What kind of tea pot should I use to make tea?

This is an interesting question and one which is seldom considered as important by a tea drinker. Porcelain, ceramic, unglazed clay, terra cotta, glass, leaded crystal, gold, silver, pewter and aluminum all produce different flavor profiles individually and from the same tea poured into different materials from the same tea pot.

There are many chemistry changes at play here. Most of them originate from the interplay between the tannin compounds and the material itself. Some materials are porous, some are not and this creates a bonding action between the tea and the material. Glass, for example, produces no bonding action because glass is not only a liquid in constant motion but also is non-porous and therefore creates no "seasoning" action on the surface.

Also, important in its own right is the method by which the cups are cleaned. Soap or detergent must NEVER be used on cups or teapots. They must simply be rinsed with cold water and wiped clean (never scrubbed). Soap produces a smooth surface and bonding actions will not take place.