For novice tea ceremony enthusiasts, apart from purchasing tea leaves, they also need to equip some tea sets. However, a set of formal Gongfu tea sets contains too many utensils of various kinds, making it difficult to choose. Generally speaking, for tea lovers, it is sufficient to equip several main tea sets.
【Water Boiler】Many types of tea need to be brewed with boiling water at a relatively high temperature.
Controlling the temperature is the basis for ensuring the taste of the tea soup. In ancient times, wind stoves or charcoal stoves were commonly used. Nowadays, for convenience, electromagnetic water boilers are mostly used. Stainless steel kettles, clay pots, high-temperature resistant glass pots, etc. are simple to operate, convenient and safe. If you like a charcoal stove, remember to open the window when boiling water indoors to keep the room well-ventilated.【Purple Clay Pot】As the protagonist on the tea table, there are many types of teapots. Common ones include purple clay pots, porcelain pots, glass pots, etc. Purple clay pots can perfectly preserve the color, aroma and taste of tea. They are mostly used for brewing oolong tea or Pu-erh tea. Taking care of the pot is also a great pleasure. Porcelain pots are suitable for all types of tea and are convenient for daily use. Glass pots allow you to appreciate the tea soup. You can choose according to your own needs.
【Gaiwan】Gaiwan is also known as the Three Talents Cup. The tea lid on top represents “Heaven”; the tea saucer at the bottom represents “Earth”; and the bowl in the middle represents “Human”. In the north, the gaiwan combines the functions of a teacup and a teapot. You can directly brew and drink tea in the gaiwan, or brew tea in the gaiwan and then distribute it into tasting cups for multiple people to drink. In today’s Gongfu tea ceremony, the gaiwan is used as a brewing utensil. Pour the dry tea into the bowl, then add water and strain the tea soup. When choosing a gaiwan, pay attention to the cup shape and select a capacity and size that suit you.
【Tasting Cup】A tasting cup is a small cup for drinking tea. The materials include porcelain, pottery, purple clay, glass, etc. When choosing a tasting cup, its style and texture should match the teapot. Tasting cups will be put to different uses according to the owner’s state of mind, purpose, preferences, etc. Carrying the owner’s aura, they show a more unique style and charm.
【Fair Cup】The fair cup, teacup and teapot are the three main protagonists of Gongfu tea. Fair cups are made of porcelain, purple clay and glass. Among them, porcelain and glass fair cups are the most commonly used. The fair cup should match the teapot and teacup. Generally speaking, the fair cup should be slightly larger than the teapot and gaiwan. Because the tea brewed in the teapot, if directly divided into cups, may have different concentrations from top to bottom or contain tea dregs. Pouring the tea soup into the fair cup can ensure that the concentration of the tea soup in each teacup is basically the same, and each guest can taste the tea with the same flavor.
【Tea Tray】A tea tray is a shallow-bottomed utensil for placing teapots, teacups, tea ceremony sets, tea pets, and tea snacks. Its functions are, first, to keep the tea sets in order. Second, to catch some spilled tea soup and tea leaves. Tea trays are mainly made of bamboo and wood, and there are also some other materials such as metal, stone, and jade.
Regardless of the style of the tea tray, when selecting one, focus on three key points: width, flatness, and shallowness. A wide tray allows for more cups when there are many guests; a flat tray base ensures stability for the tea cups, preventing them from wobbling; and a shallow edge can highlight the tea cups and pots, enhancing the overall aesthetics. Generally, dry brewing methods can utilize a dry brewing stand, while wet brewing employs a tea tray (wet brewing method, which means that tea utensils can be freely washed and rinsed on the tea table, and the discarded water can be directly poured onto the tea table).
Most tea ceremonies typically use tea trays. Drinking tea is not only about tasting but also about the atmosphere and peaceful state of mind that tea brings. There is no need to be confined to one way; the key is to be happy.
