Tips, Advice & Resources for Buying Chinese Tea Sets
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Chinese Tea Set

Welcome to chineseteaset.net! It’s a pleasure to find you here and hopefully you will leave our site with the information you are looking for. We will provide you with product information and reviews and other relevant resources on Chinese tea set. There is a wide range of options when looking for the right tea set, and we will walk you through the different things you need to know to make the right purchase.

Making and drinking tea is an ancient and celebrated Chinese tradition. The benefits of drinking tea have been proven not only by this long standing tradition but also by numerous scientific studies so that tea ceremony hasn’t lost its eminence even in these modern times.

A classic Chinese tea set usually contains the following items: a teapot, teacups and saucers, sugar bowls, and a milk pitcher, which is also known as a creamer or a jug. A formal tea service, on the other hand, comprises of a coffee pot, kettle with spirit light, slop bowl or waste bowl, and a tray.

There are basically two types of Chinese tea set according to the material it is made from:

Yixing Tea Set

 The Yixing province is considered the pottery capital of China. This is the only region in the whole China where you’ll find the distinctive “purple clay” used to make Yixing tea pots and accessories.

For centuries, the Yixing tea sets were, and they still remain to this day, the most sought-after tea vessels. What makes them so unique is the purple clay used in making the tea pots. Purple clay is strong, has a beautiful color, preserve heat well, and porous. Since it is porous, the tea pot is able to absorb the flavor of the brewed tea. It is even believed that a used and perfectly matured and seasoned Yixing tea pot can brew tea simply by adding water!

They are not glazed and retain their smooth texture that makes them extremely lovely and smooth. They are distinct because of the potter’s “chop” or seal that is found at the bottom of the pot that recognizes the work of an expert.

Most people say that in brewing teas in Yixing pots, it is important to brew only one flavor so as not to mix up the tastes.

Gaiwan Tea Set

Blue Peony Gaiwan Tea Set
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 Another kind of tea set is the Gaiwan tea set. The name means “covered bowl” because it consists of a reservoir for the tea along with a snug fitting lid and a saucer. The lid keeps the tea warm for a longer period of time and can also be used as a strainer. The saucer is for catching drips.

The reservoir is very small that it is possible to drink the tea from the pot itself although you will still find people pouring the tea into smaller cups.

Gaiwan tea sets are usually made from porcelain and glass. But, some are made out of jade and even Yixing clay.

On brewing light teas, a porcelain Gaiwan would be more suitable. As for white and green teas, a glass Gaiwan would let you admire the fine-looking leaves.

Gaiwan tea pots are glazed inside in contrast to the Yixing pots. This will enable you to brew more than one type of tea since it does not absorb the flavors. This kind of pot is good for loose tea leaves.

If you are looking for a Gaiwan, make sure to check that the lid fits just right, snugly and not too tight. A wider rim of the bowl is also recommended for easy pouring.

Tea Set Packages

Most Chinese tea sets on the market today include one teapot, four cups and four saucers. The teapot usually holds 15 to 32 ounces of your favorite tea and the cups can contain up to six ounces. Some tea sets, on the other hand, consist of one teapot, six cups, one porcelain canister, an internal filter, and free tea.

There are several tea set packages which include tea bags best suited to the type of set you just bought. Most contemporary tea sets are microwave and dishwasher safe so they are easy to clean. You can enjoy your tea from preparation to cleaning up; it’s a truly relaxing and pleasant experience.

There are so many designs to choose from – white peony, true blue, peach blossom, rose, mountain and river, calligraphy – there is a set that will surely catch your fancy. You may want a more traditional look for your tea set or maybe you’d rather want a more modern design; whatever your preference, you have a wide selection of Chinese tea set to go over.