Tea service
The Berrad: Choosing a Moroccan Teapot
The berrad is the unmistakable Moroccan teapot: a rounded belly, a tall curved spout and a hinged domed lid, usually in polished metal. It is not just a serving vessel — in most Moroccan homes tea is brewed and simmered directly in the pot, so choosing a berrad that can take heat, pour cleanly and hold enough for a gathering matters more than its shine.
- Read
- 7 min
- Guide
- Tea service
- Updated
- 19 July 2026
At a glance
- A true brewing berrad tolerates direct heat; many silver-plated pots are for serving only.
- The spout does the work: a long curved spout lets you pour from a height to build foam.
- Stainless steel is the durable everyday choice; silver-plate is for presentation.
- Match capacity to your gatherings — tea is poured in rounds, so bigger is often better.
Brewing pot or serving pot?
This is the crucial distinction. In Morocco, green tea, sugar and mint are commonly boiled together right in the berrad on a hob or brazier, so a working pot must withstand direct flame or a hotplate. Heavy stainless-steel pots are built for exactly this. Ornate silver-plated pots, by contrast, are frequently meant only for steeping and pouring at the table; heating them can damage the plating or the soldered joints.
If you want one pot to do everything, buy a sturdy stainless-steel berrad described as suitable for the stove. If you already brew in a separate pan, a beautiful silver-plated berrad for pouring at the table is a fine choice. Just do not assume a decorative pot can go on the flame.
What to look for
Beyond heat tolerance, the details that separate a good berrad from a frustrating one are the spout, the lid and the balance in the hand.
- Spout: long and curved with a fine tip, for a controlled stream poured from height.
- Internal filter: a perforated guard at the spout base holds back mint and tea leaves.
- Lid: hinged and snug, with a heatproof knob so it does not fall while pouring.
- Handle: stays cool enough to hold, or comes with a small grip, since the body gets hot.
- Base: stable and flat so the pot sits securely on a tray or hotplate.
Capacity, care and buying
Tea is served in small glasses and in several rounds, so a pot that looks large is often right; a one-litre pot suits a small household, while one and a half to two litres serves guests comfortably. Choose the size for how you entertain rather than for a single glass.
Care is simple but worth doing: rinse after each use, dry to prevent water spots, and clean the internal filter so it never clogs. For stainless steel, an occasional scrub restores the shine; for silver-plate, polish gently and never scour. To complete the service, pair it with the right glasses and a siniya tray, and see the overview in the tea set guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a berrad?
A berrad is the traditional Moroccan teapot, with a rounded body, a long curved spout and a hinged domed lid. In most homes tea is brewed directly in it, so it is both a cooking and a serving vessel, not merely a pot for pouring.
Can you put a Moroccan teapot on the stove?
A heavy stainless-steel berrad is made to sit on a flame or hotplate, since tea is simmered in it. Decorative silver-plated pots are usually for serving only, and heating them can damage the plating or joints, so check the pot before using it on the stove.
Why is the spout of a Moroccan teapot so long?
The long curved spout lets you pour tea in a thin stream from a height, which aerates it and builds the light foam prized on top of each glass. It also gives a controlled pour into small glasses without splashing.
What size Moroccan teapot should I buy?
A one-litre berrad suits a small household, while one and a half to two litres serves guests over several rounds. Because tea is poured in repeated small glasses, err on the larger side if you regularly entertain.