Tea ware: what is it and what items are included in the set?

In China, tea drinking is especially scrupulous. This process is shrouded in many secrets and traditions. High-quality tea ware helps to reveal all the taste and aromatic qualities, fully enjoy the drink. Proper storage and brewing ensures the preservation of healing properties. A set of tea dishes contains everything you need to get acquainted with an amazing drink.

Features of the dishes directly depend on what it is made of.

It is believed that the best clay pottery for tea is made in Yixing (China) - it produces material with special properties. Clay products can be used only for one type of tea, because clay absorbs aroma.

Services look like works of art and are usually used for serving a festive table. In China, porcelain tea sets are displayed only for important and dear guests. Ceramic dishes are not so luxurious in decor, but are more practical. It can be used for many varieties of tea.

Outwardly, such dishes are stylish and modern. Products quickly warm up and cool down. Glass tea ware allows you to observe the brewing process, which looks very aesthetically pleasing.

The tea set includes items for storing, brewing and drinking tea. Traditionally, a set consists of several necessary items.

• Storage Box (Cha-he). Leaf tea is poured into the container.Before the ceremony, all participants can get acquainted with the drink, evaluate the appearance and aroma. Cha-he sometimes looks like a plate.
• Tea pair (a tall glass of Wangxiangbei and a bowl of pinminbei). Tea is poured into a glass and covered with a bowl. The latter retains the aroma of the drink. The pair may additionally contain “bey-zhan” - a tray of round or square shape. A glass with a bowl is served to the guest so that he can enjoy the smell and the first sip of the drink.
• Board (shepherd). This stand for the tea set is equipped with a double bottom, due to which spilled drops of the drink do not stain the table. Traditionally, this is necessary so that the participants in the ceremony are not distracted from the process. In the modern world, a blackboard allows you to drink tea even on your desktop with documents without risking ruining anything.
• Kettle for brewing. Inside there is a sieve that allows you to pour the drink without leaves. The filter can be located both inside and outside on the nose. The most important tea set item.
• Jug for tea (chahai). After brewing, the drink is poured into such dishes, and only then is poured to each guest. This is necessary so that the leaves do not brew for too long.

They are needed in order to make the tea party more comfortable, reduce chores. List of important tools:

• a towel made of linen - designed to wipe tea utensils from spilled tea;
• a porcelain spoon to remove the remnants of tea leaves from the bowl;
• a needle to clean the teapot from leaves;
• brush to whisk drops from the kettle;
• a bamboo scapula for brewing serves as a dispenser, serves to fill up the tea leaves;
• tongs to clean the kettle from the old tea leaves;
• hourglass for 2 minutes - it takes so much time for tea leaves to brew.

Modern tea sets are expanded to contain more items. Extra crockery included in the set.

1. Saucers used in combination with tea pair.
2. Sugar Bowl. A porcelain or glass object with sugar will become a functional table decoration.
3. Candy store. It has the form of a plate or basket. Designed for sweets and drinks.
4. Milkman. Tea with milk is a fairly popular drink. If you prefer just this option, then special dishes are simply irreplaceable.
5. Teaspoons. The most popular are silver products. They do not affect the taste of tea and are beneficial. However, teaspoons can be made of metal. Embossing is used as a decor.

In some sets, instead of a tea pair, only cups and saucers are included. Such dishes are unconventional, but quite popular, and are called tea sets. Additional items are not always included in the set, they often have to be purchased separately.

Tea cookware will decorate the holiday table or will be a good gift for loved ones. A correctly selected set will last for many years and will preserve all the properties of tea.

It is important to pay attention to the following characteristics.

• The number of items. The classic set is designed for 6 people, but modern manufacturers offer other options. If the dishes are intended for family use, then you can take a small one. For the holidays, take a look at the extended sets. Be sure to study the description to know the complete set of the kit.
• Decor Even glassware can be colored. Clay options are usually decorated with a variety of ornaments and ethnic motifs. Porcelain sets are very diverse in shape and design. It is necessary that the decor of the tea set is combined with other utensils.
• Manufacturer. It is recommended to give preference to reputable and popular brands. So you don’t have to worry that you were deceived. The quality of the service directly affects the characteristics of the drink.

Usually the table is folding and has a cover. Inside you can put a teapot, tea towel, tongs, a couple of tea and a jug.

There are certain tips for choosing.

• Pay special attention to to the tea board (shepherd). It helps not only protect the surface, but also tune in the right way, organize the space.
• When choosing cookware for brewing, it is better to give preference clay or porcelain models. As an alternative, a porcelain bowl with a lid (gaiwan) is used.
• Kettle Better check before buying. In a quality product, when pouring, the jet is smooth and full. The tip of the spout should be flush with the body.
• Tea jug (chahan) Looks particularly aesthetically pleasing if made of glass or porcelain.
• Porcelain Tea Pair makes tea drinking the most comfortable. Such dishes are pleasant and convenient to use.
• Sieve on the spout. Additional filtering of the drink from small tea leaves allows you to clean the liquid as much as possible. Such a sieve with a hook or loop is put on the kettle before pouring the contents.

High quality tea ware has a long service life.

The important points to consider are presented below.

• Limit the contact of tea utensils with strong odors. Do not place the kit near food or spices. Do not touch products with a strong aroma of perfume or cream. The dishes will absorb an extraneous odor into themselves, and this will spoil the brewed tea.
• Use only a separate tea towel to wipe. Otherwise, kitchen odors or particles of grease can ruin the dishes.
• If there is no glaze inside the teapot, then brew only the same tea in it. When cleaning with forceps, remove the leaves and pour boiling water over the inside. Do not use detergents.

Then you can get acquainted with the process of holding a tea ceremony in China.