In the world of tea culture, the selection of tea sets is crucial as it not only affects the taste and aroma of the tea but also adds a unique charm to the tea tasting process. Below is a detailed guide on how to choose the appropriate tea set to better enjoy the culture of tea.
Selecting Tea Sets Based on Tea Types
Different types of tea are suited to different materials of tea sets, which is one of the key principles in selecting tea sets.
Green Tea: Green tea, with its tender characteristics, is suitable for brewing with glass or porcelain tea sets. The transparent texture of glass tea sets allows us to appreciate the elegant shape and the tender green color of green tea, such as when brewing famous green teas like West Lake Longjing and Biluochun. Using glass tea sets can fully display the unfolding of the tea buds. Porcelain tea sets heat up quickly and do not absorb fragrance, which can vividly express the fresh flavor of green tea, such as white porcelain tea sets, whose pure white color can better highlight the color of the green tea soup.
Black Tea: Black tea, with its bright red color and long-lasting aroma, can be served in porcelain or purple sand tea sets. Porcelain tea sets can well display the color of black tea, and white porcelain cups can also allow us to more clearly appreciate the color of the tea soup; purple sand tea sets help to enhance the mellow taste of black tea and have a certain beautifying effect on the tea soup, suitable for brewing some high-quality and aged black teas.
Oolong Tea: Oolong tea, with its rich aroma and unique charm, is best brewed in purple sand pots. The dual pore structure of purple sand pots gives them good air permeability and heat retention, which can fully stimulate the aroma of oolong tea, making the tea soup more mellow and sweet, such as when brewing Wuyi Rock Tea and Tieguanyin. Using purple sand pots can make the tea fragrance more rich and lasting. However, Gaiwan is also very suitable for brewing oolong tea, as it is easy to operate, easy to observe the state of the tea leaves, and does not affect the aroma and taste of the tea.
Dark Tea: Dark teas, such as Pu’er, are suitable for brewing with ceramic or purple sand tea sets. Ceramic and purple sand tea sets have a higher porosity rate and a certain adsorption capacity, which can absorb impurities and odors in dark tea, making the tea soup purer. At the same time, their good heat retention helps the beneficial substances in dark tea to be extracted, enhancing the taste and charm of the tea soup.
White Tea: Fresh white tea can be brewed with glass or porcelain tea sets to reflect its fresh taste and light aroma; aged white tea is more suitable for brewing with ceramic or purple sand tea sets. Aged white tea, which has been stored for many years, can better display its mellow taste and unique aged fragrance when brewed with these tea sets.
Yellow Tea: The brewing of yellow tea is similar to that of green tea, and both glass and porcelain tea sets can well present its quality characteristics. Glass tea sets allow for the appreciation of the shape and color of yellow tea, while porcelain tea sets can brew the fresh and refreshing taste of yellow tea.
Tea Set Material Comparison
Ceramic Tea Sets: This includes purple clay tea sets. The soil of purple clay tea sets has a strong sandy texture. The sintering temperature is low, the body is relatively thick, and the sound when tapped is dull. Its advantages are good air permeability and strong heat preservation. It can make the tea soup more mellow and has a certain adsorbability, which can remove the strange smell in the tea. However, it is easy to absorb water and flavors, so attention should be paid to maintenance to avoid flavor transfer.
Porcelain Tea Sets: The soil is delicate, the sintering temperature is high, the body is relatively thin, and the sound when tapped is clear and crisp. The surface is smooth and dense, neither absorbing water nor flavors. It has fast heat transfer, can well display the flavor of the tea, and has a beautiful appearance with various patterns and shapes to choose from. But its heat preservation performance is relatively poor.
Glass Tea Sets: The biggest feature is transparency, allowing us to clearly observe the changes in the tea soup and tea leaves, with strong ornamental value. The material is pure and will not affect the taste of the tea. It is also relatively convenient to clean. However, it is brittle, easy to break, and has poor heat preservation.
Metal Tea Sets: Such as silver pots, copper pots, etc. Boiling water in a silver pot can release silver ions, which have a certain bactericidal effect, and the boiled water tastes soft and sweet. Copper pots have good thermal conductivity and can quickly boil water. However, metal tea sets may react with certain components in some teas, affecting the taste of the tea. Moreover, the price is relatively high and the maintenance is more troublesome.
Pay Attention to Other Elements of Tea Sets
Appearance and Style: The appearance of the tea set should match the usage environment and personal preferences. If it is in an antique tea room, traditional-style ceramic or purple clay tea sets can be selected. If it is in a modern minimalist living room, glass or metal tea sets with simple shapes can be considered. In addition, the color, pattern, and shape of the tea set should also be coordinated and unified to create a comfortable and beautiful tea-tasting atmosphere.
Quality and Craftsmanship: High-quality tea sets have high standards in terms of quality and craftsmanship. Check whether the tea set has defects such as cracks, bubbles, and deformations. Check whether the craftsmanship of the tea set is delicate. For example, whether the connection of the spout and handle of the pot is firm, and whether the cup mouth is round and smooth. For hand-made tea sets such as purple clay pots, also pay attention to the production process and the reputation of the author. Generally speaking, tea sets with exquisite craftsmanship are not only more convenient to use but also have a certain collection value.
Price and Cost Performance: The price range of tea sets is very wide, ranging from dozens of yuan to tens of thousands of yuan. When choosing, it should be determined according to your own budget and actual needs. For beginners, you can first choose some tea sets with moderate prices and high cost performance, such as ordinary porcelain covered bowls and glass teacups. As you gain a deeper understanding of the tea ceremony and your interest increases, you can gradually upgrade to more advanced tea sets.
Common Questions and Answers about Tea Sets
Q: How should a new Zisha teapot be treated before use? A: Rinse the new teapot thoroughly with clear water inside and out, then place it in a pot, add tea leaves and boil for 1-2 hours. This process removes the earthy taste and impurities from the new teapot while allowing it to absorb the aroma of the tea leaves. Q: How to maintain porcelain tea sets? A: Wash them promptly after use to prevent tea stains from lingering. Avoid collisions with hard objects to prevent damage. If tea stains are present, gently wipe with a soft cloth dipped in a small amount of toothpaste. Q: Glass tea sets are prone to breaking, what are some good protection methods? A: Place them on a stable surface to avoid collisions. Be careful when cleaning, do not use sharp objects to scratch. You can purchase special protective covers for glass tea sets. Q: Can ceramic tea sets be used with different types of tea? A: It is not recommended to mix teas, as ceramic tea sets have adsorptive properties and can easily mix flavors. It is best to use them specifically for brewing one type of tea to maintain the tea’s pure flavor. Q: How to judge the quality of a Zisha teapot? A: The quality can be judged from the clay, craftsmanship, and shape of the teapot. High-quality clay feels warm and has a natural color; the craftsmanship is exquisite with well-proportioned spouts, handles, and buttons, and smooth water flow; the shape meets aesthetic and practical requirements. Q: Do metal tea sets affect the taste of tea? A: Some metals may react with components in tea leaves, thus affecting the taste. For example, iron pots may give tea a certain iron flavor, while silver pots can enhance the taste of water, making the tea taste softer and sweeter. Q: How to choose a tea tray? A: Select the appropriate size of the tea tray based on the number of tea sets and the display space. In terms of material, bamboo and wood tea trays are natural and moderately priced; black gold stone tea trays are sturdy and aesthetically pleasing; metal tea trays have a modern feel. Q: What is the significance of the size of tasting cups? A: Generally, tasting cups should not be too large, facilitating handling and tasting of tea soup. For teas like oolong that require careful tasting, choose smaller tasting cups to better experience the tea aroma and flavor; for teas with lighter flavors, slightly larger tasting cups can be chosen. Q: How to clean tea stains on tea sets? A: Wipe with a soft cloth dipped in white vinegar or lemon juice, or use a special tea set cleaner. For stubborn tea stains, soak the tea set in diluted cleaner for a while before cleaning. Q: What is the function of a fair cup? A: The fair cup is used to evenly distribute tea soup and pour tea, ensuring that each cup of tea has a uniform concentration, reflecting equality and allowing every guest to taste the same flavor of tea soup.
