Collection: Teaware

Tea drinking involves various tools, each with a specific purpose to enhance the experience. Here are some common tools used in the preparation and enjoyment of tea:

1. Teapot

• A vessel, often made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, or metal, used to steep loose tea leaves in hot water. Teapots come in various sizes and designs, and many have a built-in strainer or spout filter to catch the leaves as the tea is poured.

2. Teacup or Mug

• The cup or mug is used to drink the tea. Traditional teacups are usually small, with a handle and a saucer, often made of porcelain or ceramic. Mugs are larger, more casual, and made from various materials such as ceramic, glass, or metal.

3. Tea Infuser or Tea Ball

• A small device, usually made of metal or silicone, used to hold loose tea leaves while they steep in hot water. It allows the leaves to expand while preventing them from floating freely in the water. Tea balls, spoons, and basket infusers are common types.

4. Tea Kettle

• A kettle, either stovetop or electric, is used to boil water for brewing tea. Stovetop kettles are usually made of metal, while electric kettles may have features like temperature control, which is useful for different types of tea.

5. Tea Strainer

• A strainer is used to filter out loose tea leaves when pouring tea from a teapot. It is usually placed over the teacup, allowing only the liquid to pass through.

6. Tea Tongs or Scoop

• A small utensil used to measure out loose tea leaves and place them into the teapot or infuser. It helps ensure a consistent amount of tea is used for each brew.

7. Tea Caddy

• A storage container for keeping loose tea leaves or tea bags. Tea caddies are designed to be airtight to preserve the freshness, aroma, and flavor of the tea.

8. Tea Tray

• A tray used to serve tea, often including space for a teapot, cups, and other tools. In some tea cultures, like the Chinese Gongfu tea ceremony, the tea tray may have a draining mechanism to catch spills.

9. Tea Towels

• Small cloths used to handle hot teaware, clean spills, or dry utensils after washing.

10. Matcha Whisk (Chasen) and Bowl (Chawan)

• Specific to Japanese tea ceremonies, a bamboo whisk (chasen) is used to prepare matcha by mixing powdered green tea with hot water in a bowl (chawan).

11. Gongfu Tea Set

• A traditional Chinese tea set for Gongfu tea ceremonies, including a small teapot, fairness pitcher (to decant tea for even flavor distribution), and small cups. It may also include a tea tray, tea pets, and a gaiwan (a lidded bowl used for brewing).

12. Fairness Pitcher (Cha Hai)

• A small pitcher used to decant brewed tea from the teapot or gaiwan before serving it into cups. It ensures the tea's strength and flavor are evenly distributed among all servings.

13. Tea Thermometer

• A thermometer used to measure the water temperature, which is crucial for brewing certain types of tea that require specific temperature ranges, like green or white teas.

14. Tea Canister

• Airtight containers specifically designed for storing tea leaves, keeping them fresh and aromatic for a longer period by protecting them from light, moisture, and air.

These tools can vary depending on the tea culture and the specific types of tea being prepared, but they all contribute to the ritual and enjoyment of drinking tea.