Tea Wares
Tea wares are the items used to brew tea. The same type of tea brewed with the same method but with tea sets of different material and quality will result in teas of a different color, fragrance and taste. The methods of brewing tea keep changing. Similarly, the tea sets also vary. Today, there are many varieties of tea sets for the tea brewer to choose from.
Classification of Tea Sets
Ceramic tea sets
The best type of ceramic tea set is the Yixing Zisha tea set. Usually Zisha tea sets are not glazed. The most frequently seen item in the Zisha tea set is the Zisha teapot. One of the merits of brewing in a Zisha teapot is that the tea will not lose its original flavor. It is heat resistant and can also be used to simmer tea. It does not scald the hand. It is durable. After prolonged use, even water poured from it will be tea-scented. The teapot exterior instead of becoming dull acquires sheen. Therefore it is a favorite among collectors. Other than the teapot, there are also other Zisha-made items of the tea set such as the Zisha teacup, Zisha double-layered tea tray, Zisha basic, etc.
Porcelain tea set
The porcelain tea set has always been popular. All items used in brewing tea such as the tea bowl, the teapot, the fairness cup, the aroma cup, etc., come in all shapes and colors in porcelain. Color-wise, there are white, green and black porcelain tea sets. In addition, there are other alternative variations of glazed porcelain, famille-rose porcelain, doucai porcelain, blue-white porcelain, etc.
Bamboo and wooden tea sets
Bamboo and wooden tea sets are both economical and practical. They have a rustic charm of their own. They are also flexible in terms of decoration. Well-carved bamboo or wooden tea sets are collectors' items. Frequently seen items are the tea tray, the tea plate and the six helpers in the art of tea.
Glass tea sets
The characteristic of glass tea sets is in its transparency, enabling the tea drinker to admire the “dance of tea leaves” as well as the color of the tea liquid. Using glass to boil water helps estimate the temperature of the water.
It is risky to handle. Frequently seen items include the teapot, the fairness cup, the tea appreciation cup and the kettle.
Stainless steel tea sets
The kettle is usually made of stainless steel. It is a quick conductor of heat and nonporous.
Other types of tea sets
Other types of tea sets, usually more ornamental than useful, include lacquered tea sets, cloisonné tea sets, stone tea sets, jade tea sets, Chinese tea sets, etc.
Choosing a Tea Set
The choice of the tea set depends on the type of tea leaves and the number of people drinking the tea. First, decide whether to brew in a cup or in the pot. Then choose according to the number of guests. The items in the tea set should match. Some supporting items can be used ingeniously, such as a bowl as the water basin.
A Basic Tea Set for a Master Tea Brewer
A kettle for boiling water
Main tea brewing wares: Teapot (Zisha teapot, porcelain teapots, etc.), tea bowl, teacup (both big glass teacups and small tea appreciation cups), fairness cup.
Supporting tea wares: Tea plate, aroma cup, tea saucer, tea jar, the six helpers (tea scoop, teaspoon, tea pick, tea tongs, tea funnel, Yanghu brush), double-layered tea tray, strainer, strainer stand, basin and tea towel.
Classification of Tea Sets
Ceramic tea sets
The best type of ceramic tea set is the Yixing Zisha tea set. Usually Zisha tea sets are not glazed. The most frequently seen item in the Zisha tea set is the Zisha teapot. One of the merits of brewing in a Zisha teapot is that the tea will not lose its original flavor. It is heat resistant and can also be used to simmer tea. It does not scald the hand. It is durable. After prolonged use, even water poured from it will be tea-scented. The teapot exterior instead of becoming dull acquires sheen. Therefore it is a favorite among collectors. Other than the teapot, there are also other Zisha-made items of the tea set such as the Zisha teacup, Zisha double-layered tea tray, Zisha basic, etc.
Porcelain tea set
The porcelain tea set has always been popular. All items used in brewing tea such as the tea bowl, the teapot, the fairness cup, the aroma cup, etc., come in all shapes and colors in porcelain. Color-wise, there are white, green and black porcelain tea sets. In addition, there are other alternative variations of glazed porcelain, famille-rose porcelain, doucai porcelain, blue-white porcelain, etc.
Bamboo and wooden tea sets
Bamboo and wooden tea sets are both economical and practical. They have a rustic charm of their own. They are also flexible in terms of decoration. Well-carved bamboo or wooden tea sets are collectors' items. Frequently seen items are the tea tray, the tea plate and the six helpers in the art of tea.
Glass tea sets
The characteristic of glass tea sets is in its transparency, enabling the tea drinker to admire the “dance of tea leaves” as well as the color of the tea liquid. Using glass to boil water helps estimate the temperature of the water.
It is risky to handle. Frequently seen items include the teapot, the fairness cup, the tea appreciation cup and the kettle.
Stainless steel tea sets
The kettle is usually made of stainless steel. It is a quick conductor of heat and nonporous.
Other types of tea sets
Other types of tea sets, usually more ornamental than useful, include lacquered tea sets, cloisonné tea sets, stone tea sets, jade tea sets, Chinese tea sets, etc.
Choosing a Tea Set
The choice of the tea set depends on the type of tea leaves and the number of people drinking the tea. First, decide whether to brew in a cup or in the pot. Then choose according to the number of guests. The items in the tea set should match. Some supporting items can be used ingeniously, such as a bowl as the water basin.
A Basic Tea Set for a Master Tea Brewer
A kettle for boiling water
Main tea brewing wares: Teapot (Zisha teapot, porcelain teapots, etc.), tea bowl, teacup (both big glass teacups and small tea appreciation cups), fairness cup.
Supporting tea wares: Tea plate, aroma cup, tea saucer, tea jar, the six helpers (tea scoop, teaspoon, tea pick, tea tongs, tea funnel, Yanghu brush), double-layered tea tray, strainer, strainer stand, basin and tea towel.
Friendly Links: How To Select Chinese Tea