Good tea deserves good utensils. Drinking tea is not just about tasting the tea, but also a harmonious process between the heart and the tea. Of course, it’s essential to know their names first. 1. The Six Utensils of Tea Ceremony: Also known as the Six Gentlemen of Tea Ceremony, they include: Tea Needle to unblock the spout of the teapot, Tea Tongs to pick up tea cups for tasting, Tea Scoop to measure tea leaves from the teapot, Tea Strainer to place at the spout for easy tea leaf infusion, Tea Caddy to hold the aforementioned utensils.
2. Commonly used tea utensils on the tea tray: Teapot, the container for brewing tea, comes in various materials such as purple clay, porcelain, glass, and metal. Pot Stand, also known as Pot Rest, is specifically used to place the teapot. It’s best to accompany it with a soft mat, such as a sponge gourd mat or a soft cloth, to prevent friction with the pot. Tea Tray, a plate that holds tea cups and other tea utensils, also catches any tea water that overflows or is poured out during brewing. Tasting Cup, used for tasting tea soup, comes in white porcelain, purple clay, and glass cups. Aroma Cup, used for smelling the tea fragrance, is often used when brewing high-aroma oolong. Gaiwan, also known as the ‘Heaven, Earth, and Human’ bowl, can also be used as a tea cup for direct drinking. Cup Mat, also known as Cup Rest, prevents water from the cup or bottom from splashing and wetting the tea table or causing friction with the bottom. Fairness Cup, also known as Tea Pitcher or Mother Cup, is used to hold brewed tea soup and then pour it into each cup to ensure the same tea concentration and taste, while also allowing tea dregs to settle. Water Basin, also known as Tea Basin, is used to discard waste water. In some places, it is also called Jianshui, which usually comes with a lid. Tea Petal, holds dry tea leaves taken out from the tea caddy and serves as a tea appreciation tool. Tea Knife, used to pry loose compressed tea, is a specialized utensil for brewing compressed tea. Filter Stand, a device for placing the filter. Filtering Net, also known as Wet Tea Strainer, is placed on the Fairness Cup to filter tea dregs and make the tea soup clear. Tea Cloth, used to wipe water and tea stains from tea utensils during brewing. Tea Caddy, for storing tea leaves, comes in various materials such as porcelain, iron, plastic, enamel, and tin, as well as ceramic jars.
