Tea enthusiasts, do you sometimes feel that when making a pot of good tea, the variety of tea sets needed is overwhelming and dazzling? A complete set of traditional tea sets generally includes numerous components such as teapots, gaiwan (covered bowls), gongdao cups, tea-tasting cups, aroma-smelling cups, tea trays, tea holders, tea towels, tea buckets, tea strainers, tea canisters, tea scoops, tea tongs, tea needles, tea spoons, pot-nurturing brushes, tea knives, tea filters, and chahai (also known as gongdao cups).
Sounds complex and extensive, doesn’t it? However, for most tea lovers, actually only a few basic tea sets are needed for making a cup of fragrant tea in daily life. Today, let’s take an in-depth look at the names and usages of these essential tea sets to make your tea ceremony journey more relaxing and enjoyable. 1. TeapotThe teapot is the core tool for making tea and is responsible for the first contact between water and tea leaves. Teapots made of different materials are suitable for brewing different types of tea. For example, purple clay teapots, due to their good air permeability and heat preservation properties, are suitable for brewing oolong tea and Pu-erh tea; while porcelain teapots are suitable for brewing green tea and white tea, as they can maintain the delicate aroma of the tea. 2. Gaiwan
The gaiwan, consisting of a bowl body, a bowl lid, and a tray, is a common tool in gongfu tea. The design of the gaiwan allows the tea leaves to fully unfold during the brewing process. At the same time, it is easy to operate and helps control the brewing time and temperature. 3. Gongdao Cup
The gongdao cup, also known as chahai or tea pitcher, is an implement used to evenly distribute the tea soup. The brewed tea is first poured into the gongdao cup and then into each tea-tasting cup respectively to ensure that every tea guest can taste the tea soup of the same concentration. 4. Tea-tasting Cup
The tea-tasting cup is specifically used for drinking tea. Generally, it has a small capacity, which is convenient for savoring the aroma of the tea. A good tea-tasting cup can gather the aroma, enabling the tea taster to better experience the charm of the tea. 5. Aroma-smelling Cup
As the name implies, the aroma-smelling cup is used to enjoy the aroma of the tea. This kind of cup is usually tall and narrow, which can gather the tea aroma and let it rise slowly, allowing the tea taster to feel the tea aroma more clearly. 6. Tea Tray
The tea tray is an implement used to hold tea sets and catch the overflowing or poured tea during the tea-making process. It can not only keep the tabletop clean but also add a sense of ritual to tea making. 7. Tea Holder
The tea holder is a container for holding dry tea leaves to be brewed. It is mostly a small flat round dish, either with or without a lid. Its main function is to display the dry tea leaves, allowing tea guests to admire the color and shape of the tea leaves before brewing. 8. Tea Caddy
The tea caddy is an implement for storing tea leaves, usually made of ceramic or tin. A good tea caddy can prevent moisture, block light, and has good airtightness to ensure that the quality of the tea leaves is not affected. 9. Tea Towel
The tea towel is used to wipe the tea sets during the tea-making process and keep the tabletop clean and tidy. A high-quality tea towel is made of soft material, does not shed hair, and does not damage the tea sets, reflecting the details in the tea ceremony. 10. Tea Saucer
The tea saucer is a small tray for placing tea cups. It not only helps protect the tabletop from direct contact with hot water but also avoids stains caused by tea dripping.
Tea saucers are usually made of bamboo, wood or porcelain. Different materials showcase diverse styles and textures. Meanwhile, they are also a kind of decoration on the tea table. An exquisite tea saucer not only enhances the overall aesthetic of making tea but also reflects the host’s thoughtfulness and taste.
1. Tea tongs
Tea tongs are small tools used to pick up hot teacups or move small tea sets, avoiding direct contact with hands to prevent burns or contamination of the tea sets. Tea tongs are usually made of stainless steel or bamboo, featuring a simple and practical design.
2. Tea spoons
Tea spoons are tools for scooping and measuring tea. Precisely controlling the amount of tea is crucial for making a good cup of tea. Tea spoons usually have a long handle, which is convenient for reaching into the tea canister to scoop tea. They can be made of bamboo, wood or metal.
3. Tea needles
Tea needles, also known as tea cleaners, are slender metal tools mainly used to clear the spout of a teapot. When the spout of a teapot is blocked by tea leaves, a tea needle can easily remove the blockage to ensure that the tea can be poured out smoothly. In addition, tea needles can also be used to break up compressed teas such as Pu-erh tea. They are an indispensable tool in tea art performances.
By understanding these tea sets in detail, it is not difficult to find that each tea set has its specific functions and aesthetic values. In daily tea making, the reasonable use of these tea sets can not only improve the efficiency and quality of tea making but also add a sense of ritual and enjoyment to tea making. I hope this information can help you be more proficient in your tea ceremony journey and enjoy the peace and joy brought by each tea making session.
