That’s right, if you didn’t know already, they’re to keep boiling liquids as close to boiling as possible, as a pot of tea brews, these nifty inventions insulate the pot to prevent much of the heat loss.
If you’re British, or have ever been to Britain, you’ll almost certainly have experienced the frequency that tea is brewed. In the USA though, it’s far less common to see a tea cozy on the countertop in the kitchen. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one though, and I’ll bet that the fact that you’re here reading this, you know that already!
Top 5: Tea Cozy Review
Tea cozies come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors, so there’s bound to be something out there that fits perfectly into your kitchen. With that said, some sell really well and some are just downright irresistible, whether that’s because they just look amazing or have a somewhat cheeky theme.
Next, we’re going to have a look at some really popular cozies that might just grab your attention and take pride of place snuggling around your teapot.
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Boris Bear | Check Amazon Price | |
| Union Jack Dome | Check Amazon Price | |
| Aunercart Indian Mandala | Check Amazon Price | |
| Ulster Weavers RHS Rose | Check Amazon Price | |
| Spode Blue Italian |
It’s probably safe to say you’ve never seen so much information about tea cozies in one place, and it’s certainly something we’ve never spent so much time on before! While a lot of the process of choosing will come down to the design, and what fits in your kitchen, don’t forget that the main purpose of a cozy is insulation. It’s brilliant to have something that looks great, but if it’s doing its job, what’s the point?
Boris Bear
Now Designs Boris Bear Tea Cosy Review
Cute is king when it comes to kitchen accessories, right?
And what could be cuter than this adorable Boris Bear themed Cozy?
This as the first choice gives you a brilliant option if you like to make a big pot of tea. While it brews, you’ve got this dozing bear to stand guard, which will appeal to all ages.
The Features Table
- Cute Design
- Approximate size 13.5 by 11 inch
- 100% Cotton construction
- Fits large teapots up to 8 cup size
- Hook to hang for storage while not in use
- Too big for small teapots
- Not the thickest filling
The Extra Detail
While this isn’t the thickest tea cozy you’ll find to buy, it does manage to balance the cute factor with keeping the tea warm. On the other hand, if you’re wanting to keep tea hot for the longest possible time, consider one of the thicker cozies further down the page.
The hook is a neat extra here, as kitchen countertops can easily become cluttered – being able to simply hang this on a hook in the kitchen is a nice extra thought in the design.
It’s worth noting that this is designed for larger teapots, if you’ve got a small to medium one you might find this is a little too large, especially with it being thinner in terms of filling compared to others further down the page.
You can check out the current price of this awesome Boris Bear tea cozy on Amazon.
Union Jack Dome
Union Jack Tea Cozy Dome Review
As we mentioned earlier, the Brits love their tea, and many people around the world love that quaint aspect of British culture.
Why not grab a bright and cheerful red, white and blue Union Jack cozy then?
This eye catching tea pot topper is brilliantly decorated with the UK flag, the Union Jack.
The Features Table
- Bright design
- Suitable for medium sized teapots
- Thick filling for good heat insulation
- Approximate size 8.5 x 12.5 inch
- Cotton construction with hanging hook
- Colors eventually fade with washing
- Needs a wash on arrival to remove manufacturing smell
The Extra Detail
If you love tea, or love London (or both), this is going to be a great buy. First off, it’s thick enough to do the job it’s designed for really well – that tea isn’t going to go cold for hours!
Anyone looking for a striking tea cozy design will be pleased with this one, assuming you have no aversion to the Union Jack flag design of course. Those who are well traveled will be very familiar with the iconic red white and blue theming of London’s tourist hotspots, making this the perfect gift if you’re buying for a globetrotting friend or relative.
Overall, a great buy if the design ticks the right boxes for you!
Aunercart Indian Mandala
Aunercart Black & White Cotton Handmade Indian Mandala Design Tea Cozies Review
This Indian themed tea cozy will be one you’re likely to either love, or dismiss instantly.
While it’s not got the wide appeal of some other designs, it will perfectly fit into your kitchen if it’s the kind of pattern you like.
Made entirely from cotton, this has a natural feel and washes well, particularly in cold water.
While all cozies fade in time, the nature of this design may be less susceptible to looking obviously faded compared to the earlier choices.
The Features Table
- Unusual design
- Cotton construction
- Washable
- Integrated storage hook
- Approximate size 13.5 x 10.5 inch
- Thin filling
The Extra Detail
The main gripe with this product is it’s just not as thick as you might hope it would be. As a result, it doesn’t perform as well as the Union Jack cozy above, allowing the tea to cool much quicker.
There’s also one or two reports of the pattern having bled during the printing process, but hopefully those are isolated instances.
In summary, this will likely be a good choice for those that don’t need their tea to stay hot much longer than it takes to brew, and really like the design. Otherwise, check out our next picks.
Ulster Weavers RHS Rose
Ulster Weavers RHS Traditional Rose Tea Cosy Review
Selection number four is a much more traditional design, credited to the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
The floral design will no doubt appeal to a large number of people, so it’s easy to see why this one sells well.
The Features Table
- Traditional design
- Thick insulation works well
- 100% cotton
- Integral storage hook
- Approximate size 13.5 x 10.5 inch
- Too big for small teapots
The Extra Detail
If you’re a traditionalist, this will almost certainly appeal. The thick nature of the cozy means you’ll keep your tea hot for much longer than with a lone pot, and even with a thinner alternative like the Indian themed cozy above.
Quite simply, a great cozy if you’re a fan of floral designs and hot tea!
Spode Blue Italian
Spode Blue Italian Tea Cosy Review
For the final selection we wanted something a bit different.
This Spode’s themed ‘Blue Italian’ design fits the bill nicely.
It’s a picture that would look at home on plates and even framed art on the wall, but in this case makes a striking cozy.
The Features Table
- Famous Blue Italian theme
- Washable
- Luxurious thick cotton
- Approximate size 14 x 11 inch
- Great for large pots
- Too big for small pots
The Extra Detail
If you’re looking for an iconic design, and something more arty than the bolder designs, perhaps this is more up your street.
While the obvious benefit is the design to make you choose this, it’s also a good performing tea cozy too! It does a great job at insulating the pot, but it is on the large side, in fact the biggest we’ve covered. If you’ve got a two cup pot this will simply be too big, whereas medium sized pots in the four cup range and above will be more appropriate.
All in all, a great way to finish our run down, and keep the tea warm!
Buyers Guide
Who knew buying a coat for your tea pot would be so complicated? Actually it’s very simple, but there are a few things to consider to avoid making a bad purchase. In this section we’ll cover those points.
Have A Design In Mind But Be Open To Change
One of the big mistakes people make when buying is to be entirely swayed by what looks great. We’ve already covered this, but it’s worth repeating. If a cozy doesn’t keep your tea hot, it it really worth having? If you only want it because it looks amazing, that’s fine, but the chances are, that’s not the primary aim!
There are literally thousands of designs available, and when you look on Amazon with the links above, you’ll likely find loads of similar alternatives on the page too. Don’t be afraid to click around a little – there’s something out there that’s perfect!
Tea Cozies FAQ
Let’s finish up with some frequently asked questions about the humble tea cozy. Hopefully by the time you’re done you’ll know everything you need to in order to make your choice and have a fabulous addition to your kitchen.
What Is A Tea Cozy Used For?
It’s an invention that exists to create the perfect tea. The Brits often refer to a cup of tea as a ‘brew’, as it needs to slowly brew to be made properly and gain the desired taste and strength. As a result, the passing time cools the boiling water, so you can end up with either weak tea that’s hot, or strong tea that’s tepid.
Tea cozies solve that conundrum cleverly, by providing an insulating effect on a tea pot to reduce heat loss, so the tea stays hotter for longer as it brews!
Do Cozies Work?
Of course! Quite simply, a good one works by insulating your pot. What makes one good? Thickness is a big part. A well made, thick product will work better than a thin one, but rest assured anything is better than nothing!
How Do You Use A Tea Cozy?
Yes, it’s a question that gets asked! It may seem obvious to some, but to others it may be perplexing! It’s actually very simple, but only when you know! Simply make the tea in the pot, put the lid on and while it’s brewing, pop the cozy over the top. It helps to keep the tea hot, meaning you can let it brew slowly without losing too much temperature. Tea experts agree that the perfect cup of tea needs at least several minutes to brew!