In my twenties, I was obsessed with collecting lipstick shades. Now, those lipsticks have long expired, but new faces keep appearing on my Tea table in the form of teaware, which only gets better with time.

Loving to collect teaware is like my old obsession with lipstick shades. Some say it's a sign of approaching middle age. Others say it means “you're hopelessly in love with tea and drinking it.”

Scroll through a certain social platform, and you'll find many tea enthusiasts who, though not merchants, enjoy sharing their small tea tables daily. Teaware is always fresh on their tea mats, from materials to shapes and the works of different artisans. The tea changes every day, never repeating.

Some have even opened their own teaware boutiques due to their passion for collecting, allowing them to purchase under the guise of inventory replenishment, constantly changing and handling various forms and materials. They can compare how different teawares affect the tea infusion and share their insights with like-minded people, deriving immense joy from this.

In his Classic of Tea, Lu Yu mentioned twenty-four utensils suitable for brewing and Drinking Tea, highlighting the importance of teaware by the Sage of Tea himself.

Speaking of the sense of ceremony at a tea mat, teaware is indispensable. Xu Chishe, in his Tales of Tea, said, “Tea thrives in water, water depends on vessels, and infusions are made by fire. These four elements complement each other; without one, the others are incomplete.”

Whether enjoying tea in large bowls or sipping it from small cups, the presence of teaware transforms the act of tea into a beautiful scene. Drinking more tea leads to frequently changing Teapots, gaiwans, or cups. Using different materials, colors, shapes, sizes, heights, and thicknesses in brewing and tasting reveals distinct qualities in the tea, sometimes with surprising differences.

Ceramic teaware, being non-absorbent and odorless, presents the true essence of tea, neither overpowering its aroma nor concealing its flaws. It is suitable for all types of tea.

Porous pottery enhances the flavor and character of tea. Aged white teas and Pu'er teas can be brewed using these vessels.

Transparent glass teaware allows clear observation of the unfolding beauty of tea leaves and the color of the infusion. It is ideal for brewing green teas, yellow teas, and herbal teas.

The double-pore structure of purple clay ensures that tea brewed in a purple clay pot retains its original flavor and aroma. It is especially suited for brewing fragrant Oolong teas. Additionally, its excellent heat retention makes it perfect for Chaozhou Gongfu tea, where pouring hot water over the pot keeps the temperature inside, enhancing the tea's essence.

Good teaware enhances the flavor of tea. Regardless of the type of tea, when enjoyed with quality cups, the aroma, color, and taste become more intricate, rich, and enchanting. Teaware is designed to highlight the best qualities of tea.

Beginning to collect teaware marks an upgrade in one's love for tea. Initially, one might drink whatever tea is offered. Gradually, after broadening one's horizons, they learn about matching good tea with appropriate teaware. Different teas require different vessels, and one develops preferences for certain shapes and styles. Gaining knowledge about the culture behind various teawares deepens one's understanding of tea.

Those who have been drinking tea for some time can discuss teaware with ease. How to appreciate teaware is a significant subject, and the ability to fully appreciate its beauty reflects a tea lover's taste and cultivation.

Interactions between tea and teaware, much like those between people, evolve from superficial to profound, from surface to essence. There is a way of tea, and teaware should embody this principle. Many young people today start with teaware, move on to tea, and eventually discover the aesthetics of life through tea.

In his Words About the Human World, Wang Guowei mentioned three realms of reading: “Last night, the west wind withered the green trees. Alone, I climbed high and looked far into the horizon.” This is the first realm. “My belt grows loose, yet I do not regret it, for her I waste away until I am gaunt and pale.” This is the second realm. “After searching for him thousands of times, I suddenly look back, and there he is, in the dim light.” This is the third realm. For professional tea lovers, the appreciation of teaware also encompasses these three realms. First, understand its appearance; second, appreciate its personality; third, comprehend its spirit.

What teaware do we commonly use?

Kettle and Stove

A well-suited set of kettles can inspire endless creativity in the tea brewer. The Yushu Wei kettle, one of the “Four Treasures of the Tea Room,” is used for boiling water, while the Chaozhou stove is for heating the water.

Teapot

The teapot is the centerpiece of tea ware. Its size, clay material, and shape influence the aroma and character of the tea. In the Ming dynasty, smaller teapots were favored because “small pots prevent the dispersion of flavor and the hiding of aroma.”

Teapot Rest

The original function of the teapot rest is to keep the tea mat clean and dry by catching the hot water poured over the teapot. Pouring hot water over the teapot warms it up, essential for bringing out the true flavor of tea that requires high-temperature brewing. For such teas, a deep teapot rest is needed to catch the hot water.

Gaiwan

There are two types of gaiwans. One is also known as a covered cup, consisting of a lid, bowl, and saucer. When drinking green tea, flower tea, or Eight Treasure tea, the lid is often used to push aside the leaves, allowing direct sipping or lifting to the nose to smell the aroma. The saucer prevents scalded hands and adds elegance to the gaiwan.

The other type is a “brewing vessel,” where the gaiwan is used as a teapot. It is very practical for observing the color, concentration, and leaves, making it the preferred vessel for evaluating Oolong teas.

Tea Cup

Different cups, varying in material, color, shape, size