Although tea-drinking became popular after the Qin Dynasty, most of the tea utensils at the time were still crude. Under the Tang dynasty, Lu Yu (733–804) was valued as the Sage of Tea for his contribution to Chinese tea culture. Tea sets can be collected, used for decoration, or used during a special occasion. It has a long history of usage and porcelain tea sets are very widespread. There are six teacups, six saucers, six teaspoons, a sugar bowl, cream pitcher, stainless steel filter, and, of course, a gleaming 28-ounce teapot. Lacquer is a special liquid painted on wood or metal, in order to protect it and make it shiny. In China, serving tea when guests come is a very traditional propriety. Guide, China Top Undoubtedly, China is famous for porcelain. Here are the 7 most common tea set types in China. They were fired without a glaze and were used to steep specific types of oolong teas. Tea Has a 3,000-Year History in China. Those that are antiques are usually not used on a regular basis, but are to be admired. of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience. For the British band, see, The examples and perspective in this article, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Tea sets at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tea_set&oldid=993600130, Articles with limited geographic scope from October 2014, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Brew in the pot and decant or brew in another vessel and pour the decanted tea into the decorative pot. If you’re not familiar with the … A tea ceremony also meaningful in many other ways. Popular varieties of black tea include Bo lei, a Cantonese tea often drunk with dim sum, and luk on—a milder tea that is favored by the elderly. Examples of oolong tea include Soi sin, a … In addition, artisans created fanciful pots incorporating animal shapes. Tōcha or tea contrast. Here is one of our most popular tours for inspiration: China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover China It is made of porcelain and you get a teapot, teacups & a tea tray. This is a Chinese Yixing tea set used to serve guest which contains the following items. Then it evolved into a type of beverage, and became an integral part of Chinese culture. The advantages of lacquer tea sets are enormous. Tea is still consumed regularly, both on casual and formal occasions. The tea-ware used by poor people in society was usually made from wood and bamboo. There are both western and chinese style tea sets. Pottery is the earliest material that tea sets were made from in China and is believed to be the best material for tea-brewing. It is believed the teapot was developed during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD). It is a significant way to show respects. This page was last edited on 11 December 2020, at 13:25. A metal was one of the oldest types of household implement in China, but now it's rarely used. A tea set or tea service is a collection of matching teaware and related utensils used in the preparation and serving of tea. Yixing teapots, called Zi Sha Hu in China and Purple Sand teapots in the U.S., are perhaps the most famous teapots. Chinese tea culture refers to how tea is prepared as well as the occasions when people consume tea in China.Tea culture in China differs from that in European countries like Britain and other East and Southeast Asian countries like Japan, Korea, Vietnam in preparation, taste, and occasion when it is consumed. China Area The age of a tea set can be told through several factors including stamps, symbols and numbers. Porcelain originated in China around 2,000 years … At first, people used bronze utensils for tea, especially during the Qin (221-207 BC) and the Han (206 BC-220 AD) dynasties, when the new beverage was becoming increasingly popular. This is a Chinese Yixing tea set used to serve guest which contains the following items. Wood and bamboo tea sets also have many excellent properties: wood and bamboo are abundant and easy t shape; they don't pollute the tea and, therefore, are healthy; and they're economical and practical. At the end of that period his legs had withered away and, just on the verge of reaching enlightenment, he fell asleep. It has a long history of usage and porcelain tea sets are very widespread. The traditional components of a tea set may vary between societies and cultures. © 1998-2020 China Highlights — Discovery Your Way! Chinese tea is consumed throughout the day, including during meals, as a substitute for plain water or for simple pleasure. Tea ceremony sets in China are also known as Junzi Liujiantao and normally contain a Tea Vase 茶筒 (Cha Tong), a set of Tea Scoop 茶则 (Cha Ze), Tea Digger Spoon 茶匙 (Cha Shi) / 茶拨 (Cha Bo), Tea Funnel 茶漏 (Cha Lou), Tea Tweezer 茶夹 (Cha Jia) and a Tea Pin 茶针 (Cha Zhen). The tin tea caddy, however, is very popular for its good sealing quality and superior blockage of moisture and light. Green tea is the most popular type of Chinese tea made by taking new leaves or buds of the tea tree to go through three main processes, frying, kneading and drying. The Chinese have used lacquer tea sets since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD) and Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, is a well-known source of such tea sets. Enamel tea sets have many excellent properties: they are smooth, hard, chemically resistant, durable, scratch resistant, have long-lasting color fastness, are easy to clean and do not stain. The heavier a porcelain pot the easier it is to keep the tea hot longer. This article is about the serving wares, the tea service. All the set is made from porcelain or ceramic. Travel with us to learn more about Chinese tea. The biggest complaints with glass tea sets, however, are that they are easily broken and it's easy to scald your hands when using them. They are produced near the city of Yixing in Jiangsu Province. The bride will use it again when her own daughter gets married in the future. Wood and bamboo are the cheapest materials for a tea set. We have designed tours especially for tea lovers to have an in-depth tea culture experience in China. The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass, or ceramics. In summary, the chinese dowry includes, tea set for the wedding tea ceremony, beddings, pillows, bolsters, comforter set, blankets, bed sheets, etc., tied with red ribbons, 子孙桶- baby bathtub, potty, face washbasin, in red and with wedding designs, The Song Dynasty also produced exquisite ceramic teapots and tea bowls in glowing glazes of brown, black and blue. The main five are celadon, painted porcelain, white, black, and rice-pattern decorated sets. These ancient tea sets were not the creamer/sugar bowl companions that are now commonly used, but were rather bowls that would hold spiced or plain tea leaves, which would then have water poured over them. In both Chinese and Japanese tradition, the discovery of tea is credited to the Indian sage Bodhidharma (aka Daruma), the founder of Zen Buddhism. A wedding keepsake - the chinese wedding tea set. They believed that the tea set affects the flavor and experience of the tea, and different materials have their unique usages. History, Chinese Lu Yu's Tea Classic was the earliest treatise on tea in the world. Among pottery tea sets, purple clay sets are believed to be most suitable for brewing tea, since this clay is uniquely able to store and release the fragrance of tea. In a wedding, such an act is to show respect and gratitude to parents for all the years of love and care. The chinese wedding tea set is a meaningful keepsake of the wedding. An archaeological dig turned up an ancient kiln that contained the remnants of a Yixing teapot. 1. It also has a high value of art appreciation. If you want an authentic Chinese looking pot and cups then you should go for the Hoobar Kungfu Chinese Tea Set. A Tea tool kit which contains the following: digger, funnel, needle, shuffle, tongs and vase. Undoubtedly, China is famous for porcelain. After being used many times, the pot itself can flavor the boiled water, without adding any fresh tea leaves. There additional pieces, while usually not part of the place setting, are often part of the formal table. The accepted history[1] of the tea set begins in China during the Han Dynasty (206–220 BC). Tea consumption equals the consumption of alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate put together making it the second most commonly consumed drink in the world after water. Bone China tea sets will bring you the experience … their way. A sieve—even if you pour tea from the pot, some tea leaf bits will still be poured out, so a sieve will help to filter out the loose bits during pouring. This flavor-filled assortment includes: French Vanilla Black Tea, Green Tea Classic, Chocolate Chai Black Tea, Green Tea With Lemon, Lemon Lift … We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our knowledge A Chinese tea set is consisting of a tea pot and tea cups used to serve tea. There are many kinds of porcelain tea set in China. Ace your Chinese wedding tea ceremony with this essential guide on the meaning behind this age-old tradition and what you need to prepare for your tea ceremony. Using a glass tea set is the best way to enjoy the tea-brewing process thanks to its transparent material. He is best known for his monumental book The Classic of Tea (Chinese: 茶经) Cha Jing, the first definitive work on cultivating, making and drinking tea. Attractions, China China Tea, the only central government owned enterprise in tea industry, was established in 1949, serving as a time-honored tea enterprise with comprehensive products, including black tea, oolong tea, scented tea, white tea, Liupao tea, Pu’er tea, dark tea, and tea drinks. Green tea is the oldest and most popular in China, made from drying new shoots of the plant. Porcelain is the most widely used material for tea sets. They are not only resistant to damage from water, high temperatures, and acid corrosion, but can also be highly artistic with beautiful hand-painted designs. China is the homeland of tea. The Yixing clay it is made from will take on the flavour of the tea, so it's best to only use it for one type of tea. Chinese tea ceremony is about tea drinking, as well as nurturing body and soul, learning Chinese culture and manners, and purifying the mind. The meaning of a Chinese wedding tea ceremony. Enamel is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing. Tea was first discovered by the Chinese and used as medicine. Like wine, there are several levels of quality and taste in tea that is based in part on where it was grown and cultivated and how it was brewed. Production originated in ancient Egypt and was then introduced to Europe. The standard unit of china pieces which are sold together is the Five Piece Place setting, which usually consists of the following pieces: Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Bread & Butter Plate, Cup and Saucer. With 22 gorgeous pieces, this tea set has everything you need to entertain. 1-Day Dragon Well Tea Culture and West Lake Tour: The 15 Most Popular Chinese Dishes, Tasty Chinese Food, Loyalty Great Exhibition Tea Set This bone china set features a pattern that’s exclusive to the Royal Collection Trust, and it’s a replica of part of a set acquired by Queen Victoria at the Great Exhibition in 1851. It’s made by hand in Stoke-on-Trent, with 22-karat gold elements. A n essential for every Chinese wedding, the Chinese tea ceremony is arguably one of the most important wedding traditions in the Chinese … & Referral Program. Porcelain originated in China around 2,000 years ago. The concept is similar to wine tasting in a cellar. This perfectly proportioned creation is considered by connoisseurs to be the perfect vessel to prepare Chinese teas. Chinese people attach great importance to what kind of tea set they use. For instance, white porcelain tea set is more often used for brewing and drinking green tea, and purple sand set is for red tea. The bride's parents will pay for the tea set which is part of the dowry. Because of the porous nature of the clay, the teapot would gradually be tempered by using it for brewing one kind of tea. Oolong tea: Finally, oolong teas are partially fermented, resulting in a black-green tea. It also has a high value of art appreciation. To hold a Chinese tea ceremony, a full tea set is needed, including teapot, teacups, tea strainer, kettle, water, tea leaves, tray, tea leaf holder… Different tea sets should be prepared for different tea. Yixing clay teapots, also called purple clay teapots, are considered the best. The tea soup is clear and green. The Chinese have been drinking tea for more than 4700 years. Glass is relatively inexpensive and easy to shape. Enraged at missing this last step, he ripped off h… Porcelain is the most widely used material for tea sets. New Year. In this period, tea was mainly used as a medicinal elixir, not as a daily drink for pleasure's sake. A brush to wipe the wasted tea all over the tray to create an even tea stain. It is portable and easy to travel with. The making of tea is an art form in traditional Chinese tea culture. Here are 10 interesting facts about Chinese tea to help you learn more about it. Tea sets are made all over the world. Tea is a beverage made from the leaves of tea plants and boiled water. There he meditated while sat facing a wallfor nine long years. An enamel tea set is a popular craft item in many countries. The Chinese tea ceremony is conducted on the day of the wedding and sees the bride and groom serve tea to their parents, in-laws, and other family members. This seasoning was part of the reason to use Yixing teapots. Bodhidharma, travelling to spread the word of his new doctrine, founded the Shaolin temple in southern China (Shorinji to the Japanese). Nowadays, people rarely use metal tea sets for brewing tea, as they think doing so will cause the tea to lose its fragrance. Every piece in the set is crafted from white porcelain and accented with elegant gold trim. A bamboo whisk was employed to beat the tea into a frothy confection highly prized by the Chinese. The amazing and unique quality of the Yixing clay teapot is that each time tea is brewed, it absorbs the tea's flavor. English Tea Set Production A form of imitation porcelain called creamware (a cream-colored earthenware) emerged in the mid-1700s, though it only rose to prominence when it was refined by Josiah Wedgwood, who added kaolinite, a form of china clay, to the body and glaze. They are named for a tiny city located in Jiangsu Province, where a specific compound of iron ore results in the unique coloration of these teapots. Around the time of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), enameling technology was introduced to China and, during the reign of Emperor Jingtai (1449-1457 AD) of the Ming Dynasty, Chinese-style enamel objects were produced in the cloisonné style. At this time, tea ware was made of porcelain and consisted of two styles: a northern white porcelain and a southern light blue porcelain. If you don’t have a second pot, you can always brew tea in a large measuring cup, add the suggested amount of water, brew, then pour through a sieve into your special pot. Tea leaves are processed using traditional Chinese methods. Processed green tea leaves appear to be slim, tight and dark green, curled like a snail, and covered by pekoe. Our China tea sets are known for its beauty and artistry. 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