Newark, New Jersey, probably isn’t the first place you’d think of when it comes to teapots. But the Newark Museum has a large decorative arts collection that includes hundreds of teapots in a variety of styles from the 1600s to the modern era. A featured exhibit is currently showing sixty-six teapots from the collection, and I stopped by one recent Saturday for a visit.

The exhibit information notes that for Westerners, the fashion of tea drinking only began in the 1600s, several hundred years after the Chinese were making teapots. Western teapots were primarily functional until the late 1800s. Eventually teapots as creative objects took hold, and in the last 60 years, some artists have elevated them into sculpture (which occasionally belies function).

“The Teapot” exhibit is set up chronologically, beginning with teapots from the 1700s in ceramic, porcelain and silver. Even the early teapots on display have elements of whimsy, like a stoneware one in the shape of a house, and an English earthenware pot with a marbling effect yet in a traditional Chinese shape... more >

I am not big on New Year’s resolutions. Maybe it’s because everyone else is doing them this time of year, or maybe it’s because I don’t want to set up myself up for disappointment so early in a fresh, new year. I enjoy seeing the year as full of potential, even after January (which is about at long as most New Year’s resolutions last).

A lot of resolutions also tend to be focused on things not to do anymore – quit smoking, don’t eat junk food – or point out personal failings, like being disorganized or unable to manage your time well. While it’s always worth making changes in your life, why not focus on things you want to do more of?

For instance, drink more tea! It’s always a worthy resolution, especially if one of your other resolutions is to lose weight. Replacing sugary beverages with unsweetened teas can cut a lot of calories, and tea is full of antioxidants and can help support your immune system.

But what should you resolve if you’re already a tea drinker? I find that I sometimes fall into a “tea rut” – I’ll get stuck on oolongs for a while, sometimes greens... more >