"Good horses need good saddles", and good tea should be brewed with good tea utensils to complement each other. The evaluation of famous tea carries a strong aesthetic interest, in which art and culture play a significant role. We will discuss the rational selection of tea utensils from the perspective of material functionality.
China has a wide variety of tea utensils, with diverse materials and adaptable structures. From a material perspective, there are pottery tea utensils, porcelain tea utensils, glass tea utensils, metal tea utensils, enamel tea utensils, bamboo and wood tea utensils, lacquerware tea utensils, plastic tea utensils, disposable paper cups, etc. From a shape perspective, there are tea cups, tea bowls, tea pots, tea cups with lids, etc. In addition, tea utensils also vary in size, shape, and craftsmanship. The selection of these tea utensils should mainly be based on the local tea drinking customs, the aesthetic taste of tea drinkers, and the appreciation of tea.
From the perspective of tea drinking customs, in Northeast China and North China, tea is usually brewed with larger porcelain tea pots and then served in porcelain cups. In the Jiangnan region (mainly Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces), traditional tea drinking habits usually involve using covered porcelain cups for direct brewing, and some may also use purple clay teapots. With the accelerated pace of modern life, urban residents are increasingly using glass cups for direct brewing. In Sichuan and other places, a type of porcelain "covered bowl cup" (a small cup with a lid and a small tea tray at the bottom) is commonly used for brewing. Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, and overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia mainly drink oolong tea, so they often use purple clay tea utensils.
From a functional perspective, for green tea and other high-quality teas, porcelain and pottery tea utensils are the best choice, followed by glass tea utensils, and then enamel tea utensils. Porcelain tea utensils have moderate heat conduction and insulation properties, and they do not react with tea components, so they can maintain the quality of the tea's color, aroma, and taste. In addition, the beautiful shapes and exquisite decorations of porcelain and pottery tea utensils enhance the artistic appreciation value of tea. Among pottery tea utensils, Yixing purple clay tea utensils are especially cherished for their elegant shapes and antique colors. Due to their good breathability and insulation, using pottery tea utensils can better release and maintain the fragrance and color of tea, and they are less likely to make the tea go bad in the summer.
The custom of drinking oolong tea involves brewing it in a small cup after multiple infusions. Before putting in the tea leaves, the tea utensils should be rinsed with hot water to warm them up. After adding the tea leaves, pour boiling water into the cup and rinse it multiple times. For this brewing procedure, a pottery tea pot followed by small porcelain tea cups is the most suitable choice.
For high-quality teas, especially green teas like West Lake Longjing, Dongting Biluochun, and Fenghua Curly Tip, glass tea utensils are the most suitable for brewing. This is because famous teas generally emphasize the beautiful appearance of the tea leaves, the bright color of the tea soup, and the dynamic process of the tea leaves slowly unfurling and rising in the cup during brewing. Glass tea utensils perfectly showcase their smooth texture and transparency, allowing tea enthusiasts to enjoy the perfect experience of appreciating and evaluating famous teas.
In terms of tea quality, it is best to avoid using insulated cups to brew high-quality green tea. Under prolonged insulation conditions, high-quality green tea can become over-brewed, resulting in a red-colored tea soup, a low and stuffy aroma, and a taste reminiscent of over-brewed tea. At the same time, the components in the tea leaves can be quickly extracted, leading to a concentrated and overly bitter taste. Plastic cups and paper cups are also not ideal tea utensils for brewing. These containers may produce unpleasant odors under high temperature conditions and may harm the aroma of the tea. Plastic cups and paper cups may also contain impurities from the manufacturing process, which can affect the quality of the tea and have negative effects on health. However, these tea utensils also have their own reasons for existence. They are convenient to carry and suitable for use in factories, workshops, construction sites, and during travel. They are designed for hygiene and convenience, and are suitable for occasions with high mobility where disposable use is necessary.
The various tea pots, tea cups, and tea bowls mentioned above are the most commonly used tea utensils. In addition, there are other matching tea utensils such as tea boats, tea cups, tea strainers, tea towels, tea spoons, tea trays, tea coasters, and tea canisters.
