THANK YOU so much Kim!! I treasure this...and I'm wondering the same thing about it being the chinese tea kettles. I used to get those terra cota type kettles from china town all the time, because the herbalists said it was best to make your teas in these pots. Maybe that is what she is referring to..hmm... I wonder. Well just the same thank you again so much. If we figure it out, imagine how much money will be saving...wow...thank you again, Elaina