As I sit here writing this article I have my teacup next to me. I take a sip. Cold again. It happens more than I want to admit. While I don’t mind a cup of cold tea it sure would be nice to have a warm cup ready without much effort. A tea cozy is an answer. I could easily pour some warm tea into my cup to refresh it and I’d be good to go. Needless to say, I’ll be writing this article with a cold cup of tea. But it’s better than scalding my hands on a hot cup of tea. Oh, what’s a tea drinker to do?
Things to consider before buying a tea cozy
Tea cozies are adorable and cute. Have you seen some of the tea cozies being created today? Besides being so adorable they do serve a purpose. Tea cozy’s help keep the tea warm inside the teapot (or cup). If it were not for the tea cozy (the British spell it cosy) the tea would cool faster. Tea cozies were created long before the days of electric tea kettles. Many people love the art of tea. Collecting teapots made of clay or ceramic. To keep their tea warmer longer they attach a tea cozy. There are even cozy’s that are made for your teacups.
As I sit here drinking my cup of lukewarm tea, a tea cozy is a dream. Having a pot of tea next to me, with no worries about the power supply. Refills of warm tea for the next few hours excites me. It’s a great answer to an age-old issue that tea drinkers suffer.
If you don’t like cold or lukewarm tea or you are planning a tea party you need a cozy! A few of them. How about a tea-cozy-themed party? Keeping tea warm during a tea party or event is part of a successful event. Hot tea makes tea drinkers happy!
There is also the aspect of burning your hand on too hot of a tea. A tea cozy is an answer. Putting a layer of protection between you and the hot tea.
So what do you need to consider when buying a tea cozy?
Material – most tea cozies are made from linen but some are made of other materials. Some are crocheted. Other materials used are heavy brocade. Most of the time the material is the design and yet others are embroidered. Most tea cozies are made the traditional way with 100% cotton fabric. The fabric is stitched together with a waterproof polyester thread. The cotton material is on both the inside and outside of the cozy.
Insulation – A padded cozy helps insulate the teapot even more. Make sure those inserts are removable so you can clean them separately. Traditionally the padding is a light layer of polyester padding.
Size – a good cozy needs to fit. Make sure your cozy fits snuggly. A snug fit will assure your tea stays warmer longer. A tea cozy too large will allow air to fill around the cup or pot making the tea cool down faster. A tea cozy too small, well you see the problem there.
Elegant teacup and books tea cozy will keep your teapot warm in charming style
Made in the USA of 100% cotton
How to measure for a perfect fitting tea cozy
Measuring your teapot
- Measure the width of your teapot around the widest point
- Measure the height of your teapot top to bottom
- Divide the width by 2 and add 1- 1/2 inches
- Divide the height by 2 and add 1-1/4 inches
This should give you the measurements you need for the perfect fitting tea cozy.
Teacup cozies are adjustable in most cases by you can measure the circumference of your cup to get a good measurement for your cup or cups. If you are like me and have a slew of teacups and mugs, an adjustable tea cup cozy is a much better solution.
Hand Block Printed mandala print tea cozy
14 by 11 Inches
100% Cotton fabric
What is the purpose of a tea cozy?
The definition of a tea cozy is a heavy, thick, or padded cloth placed over a teapot to insulate and keep the tea hot. Simply put yes, that is correct. But, a cozy has become more of a statement as well. If you look at Etsy you will see the popularity of a tea cozy has not cooled off (Pun intended).
If you are a tea lover then a tea cozy is for you. The choices are endless and you can personalize your tea collection just a little bit more. If you are crafty you can even make your own.
Pros:
- Keeps your tea hot
- Customized look
- Trendy with a purpose
Cons:
- Cheap material can flake, fall apart or disintegrate
- Too big or too small size
A lining that does not do its job (too thin) Measures 12.6 x 11.8 Inch An Ulster Weavers design
History of the tea cozy
The first documentation of a tea cozy is in 1867. I personally believe the tea cozy has been around a lot longer than that. Perhaps since the beginning of the tea trade.
Tea cozies come in many different shapes, sizes, and patterns. Some are crocheted while others are embroidered on linen fabric.
There is even a national “wear a tea cozy on your head day”. Sept. 27th is the day to wear one to raise money for a variety of organizations in the United Kingdom.
In the 1660s King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. Catherine loves tea with her.
It was not until the duchess of Bedford established a tradition of afternoon tea. The tea cozy then became popular. It was 1840 and the Duchess entertained affluent women with her tea get-togethers. She shared her love of tea. The tea cozy then became popular with the upper class. It became a status symbol to have decorated covers for many objects in their homes.
Of course, this is all speculative but I love researching the history of tea and tea products.
In the United States, it’s called a tea cozy but in other parts of the world, it’s known as a cozy. The cozy came to the United States during the Victorian era or around 1837-1901. During this time they were decorative and handmade, generally embroidered. An article in the Philadelphia paper stated an increase in the use of tea cozies.
During Britain’s Second World War soldiers that were wounded spent their time in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka. At the hospital, they were taught to knit tea cozies to avoid being bored. The patterns these soldiers created were soft and beautiful. The design was not like what they were seeing around them. You can see some of the designs in this STORY.
The British tradition crosses the ocean into the United States. There is an 1892 article that was printed in the Philadelphia newspaper. This article stated that cozies were gaining popularity with women who are hosting afternoon teas.
Today tea cozies are still very popular. Current trends show love for a tea cozy if Etsy has a say about it. Not only are there tea cozies, but patterns, how-to, vintage, embroidered, and more. There are inexpensive tea cozies and ones that command the table. Some have hidden pockets to hide flowers and herbs to scent the table.
The most convenient is of course the cloth cozies that can easily be washed.
There are two types of tea cozies
- There are cozies that you set your teapot into that sync around the top and allow the spout to peek out.
- The other kind sits on top of the teapot and needs to be removed for the tea to be enjoyed.
The variety of tea cozies:
- Linen
- Embroidered
- Quilted
- Crocheted
- Knitted
- And designs
- Covers
- People
- Whimsical
- Animals
- Holidays
- Victorian
- Architecture
- Insects
- Sports teams
And the list keeps going….
There are also tea cozies for cups and mugs for the same purpose of keeping the tea warmer longer inside your cup.
Made in the USA of 100% cotton. This cozy measures 10 inches tall and 13 inches wide; fits most standard 6 to 8 cup teapots. It is lined with extra thick padding. Preshrunk and machine washable.
What do people have to say about the tea cozy?
After scouring the internet I found some social comments about tea cozies I wanted to share with you.
“This works great for keeping the pot of tea warm a long time”
“This tea cozy fits my teapot perfectly. The design, with the teapot fitting inside the well-insulated cozy, keeps the tea hot for more than an hour.”
“The cozy keeps my pot of hot water, tea, or coffee hot for several hours”
Conclusion
I went to a garden party, to reminisce with my old friends…
Sitting on the table amongst the porcelain teacups, cupcakes, scones, and tea sandwiches is my tea kettle. You can’t see my tea kettle. It’s covered, insulated, and protected. It’s cute and somewhat Victorian. My guests are going to enjoy warm tea for hours. My table will look so beautiful. I’m so proud.
