Teaware

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English teaware English teaware.jpg
English teaware
Chawan (tea bowl) with "hare's fur" pattern, Jian ware from China during the Song dynasty Tea Bowl (Chawan) with Hare's Fur Pattern LACMA M.51.2.1.jpg
Chawan (tea bowl) with "hare's fur" pattern, Jian ware from China during the Song dynasty

Teaware is a broad international spectrum of equipment used in the brewing and consumption of tea. Many components make up that spectrum, and vary greatly based upon the type of tea being prepared, and the cultural setting in which it is being prepared. This is often referred to as the tea ceremony, and holds much significance in many cultures, particularly in northwestern Europe and in eastern Asia. A complete, cohesive collection of tea ware makes up a tea set.

Contents

Components

Teaware (may be part of a Tea set)
Black tea pot cropped.jpg Teapot Used to steep tea leaves in hot water
Brita kettle.jpg Tea kettle Used to boil water
Cup and Saucer LACMA 47.35.6a-b (1 of 3).jpg Teacup Vessels from which to drink the hot tea (after the leaves have been strained). There are many different kinds of tea cups.
Tray.agr.jpg Tea tray Used to hold teaware; also keeps the tea and hot water from spilling onto the table
Tea strainer 2.jpg Tea strainer Used to extract leaves from tea solutions
Genmaicha Tea in Infuser.jpg Tea ball (infuser)Used to hold tea leaves in water for removal after steeping
Teebeutel Polylactid 2009.jpg Tea bag Alternative to the tea ball
For your tea bag.jpg Teabag holder / coaster Sized for holding a tea bag or ball
SilverTeaCaddy.jpg Tea caddy For storing tea when not being consumed
Tea cosy.jpg Tea cosy A knitted cover for keeping a teapot hot after the tea is made

Alternatives / Others

Construction

Tea equipment may be constructed of many materials, from iron in Japan to porcelain and clay in China, and also bamboo and other woods. Of particular repute are the Yixing clay teapots produced in eastern China, a type of Yixing ware. The Brown Betty was originally made from red clay found in Britain. [1] [2]

Lu Yu's tea set (陸羽的茶具)

Brazier of Lu Yu Kjj stove.JPG
Brazier of Lu Yu

The twelve tea pieces for the elderly (審安老人的12茶具)

Song Dynasty Chinese tea ware Teautensils.jpg
Song Dynasty Chinese tea ware
  1. Brazier (風爐)
  2. Crushing block (砧椎)
  3. Crushing roller (碾)
  4. Stone mill (石磨)
  5. Gourd scooper (瓢)
  6. Sieve box (羅合)
  7. Brush (札)
  8. Bowl basket (畚)
  9. Bowl (碗)
  10. Water vessel (水方)
  11. Tea whisk (茶筅)
  12. Tea cloth (巾)

The above tea pieces were also mentioned by Lu Yu in The Classic of Tea, except for the stone mill (石磨) and tea whisk (茶筅).

See also

References

  1. Terry, Betty (2022-08-19). "The Little Teapot That Could - TeaTime Magazine" . Retrieved 2025-06-07.
  2. Shacket, Sara (October 11, 2018). "Teaware History: The Brown Betty: The People's Teapot" . Retrieved 2025-06-07.