i love collecting teapots.
[{"role": "system", "content": "A teapot is a vessel used for steeping tea leaves or a herbal mix in boiling or near-boiling water, and for serving the resulting infusion which is called tea. Dry tea is available either in tea bags or as loose tea, in which case a tea infuser or tea strainer may be of some assistance, either to hold the leaves as they steep or to catch the leaves inside the teapot when the tea is poured. Teapots usually have an opening with a lid at their top, where the dry tea and hot water are added, a handle for holding by hand and a spout through which the tea is served. Some teapots have a strainer built-in on the inner edge of the spout. A small air hole in the lid is often created to stop the spout from dripping and splashing when tea is poured. In modern times, a thermal cover called a tea cosy may be used to enhance the steeping process or to prevent the contents of the teapot from cooling too rapidly. The teapot was invented in China during the Yuan Dynasty. It was probably derived from ceramic kettles and wine pots, which were made of bronze and other metals and were a feature of Chinese life for thousands of years. Tea preparation during previous dynasties did not use a teapot. In the Tang Dynasty, a cauldron was used to boil ground tea, which was served in bowls.\n"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Teapots are so simple yet cool, since they do exactly what they are meant to with no frills."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Yes, they are. They actually were invented in China. It was during the Yuan Dynasty."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That's quite a while back! What else do you know about them anyway?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Most teapots have a opening and a lid, and you just add the tea and water. So easy to pour a cup of tea when it's done."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That really is easy. Were they just used for tea back then?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Well, during the tang dynasty, they used a cauldron to boil tea, instead of a teapot."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh okay, that's interesting. I assume that dynasty preceded the Yuan then?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Yes, and of course we advanced in teapots and that's why we have air holes in the lids, to stop dripping and getting burned, while we pour tea. "}, {"role": "user", "content": "I was just gonna ask about that. Are there any other ways that the teapot has changed over the years?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Yes, now there are many teapots that have a built-in strainer near the spout. This makes it much easier, and don't have to worry about tea leaves in your tea!"}]