It's beautiful, but when I played with it first-hand, my enthusiasm waned. There's a screw you need to turn to loosen the top arch to remove the cylinder, and there's no easy position to hold the pot. I tried it and kept worrying I was going to drop it; with wet leaves it seems even less practical.

I also doubt the spout would pour well, and the silicone's going to absorb flavors. And the filter's not as fine as I'd like it.

Lastly, cleaning glass teapots is a chore, especially for cleanliness obsessives like me. That'd disrupt my meditative routine. But it's still an arresting piece of design which I love in spite of its faults.

I think a glass gaiwan would achieve the same effect as this.

I followed the development of the Sorapot when it was just Roth's design project (presumably for grad school). He got so much interest that he decided to turn it into a reality. It took four (or was it five) years before it materialized and I think he learned a lot about starting a business and manufacturing. I think it's a work of art and while I wouldn't use it for my day to day tea drinking (for one, the mesh is not fine enough), it's my goto pot for after-dinner tea when guests are over. If you are serving a multicourse gourmet meal, who wants to break the ambiance with Lipton tea bags or a cheap looking brewing device?

No, no, no to leaving the tea leaves and the tea in the pot for the duration of the tea time. Tea must always been decanted or it will get all tannic and offensive.

enough tea for two? what a lovely concept. except at our house our teacups are 500ml each. none of this dainty tiny cup type consumption. we like our tea a lot, dammit!

I think Janaer Glas teapots, especially the one by Wilhelm Wagenfeld, are more beautiful. (and more practical too)

http://www.jenaer-glas.com/html/products_start_e.htm