As a special beverage, tea is both thirst-quenching and mood-enhancing. To truly appreciate its charm, every aspect from storing the leaves, selecting the water, choosing the right utensils, brewing, to savoring the infusion is an art. The storage, brewing, and drinking of tea cannot be separated from the use of tea ware. Today, let's explore the evolution of Tea drinking methods through the ages by focusing on the utensils used.

I

Before the Tang Dynasty

The earliest tea wares were shared with food and alcohol utensils.

In Wang Bao's “Tongyue” from the Western Han Dynasty, there is a mention of “preparing tea with all the necessary utensils,” indicating that specialized tea ware existed during this time, although no specific details about their types or forms are provided.

II

Tang Dynasty

By the Tang Dynasty, tea had become a common beverage, and people became more particular about the enjoyment of drinking it. Tea ware was not only functional but also held aesthetic value, enhancing the color, aroma, and taste of tea. Attention was paid to the quality and artistic aspects of the utensils.

In his “Tea Classic – Chapter 4: Utensils,” Lu Yu recorded various utensils used for brewing tea during the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the noble class primarily used gold and silver tea wares, while ordinary people used ceramic ones. Wealthy households equipped themselves with complete sets of tools for grinding, brewing, and Drinking Tea, indicating the popularity of tea brewing and drinking practices.

III

Song Dynasty

In the Song Dynasty, cups and bowls were commonly used for drinking tea, with production techniques even more refined than in the Tang Dynasty. As the processing methods of tea evolved, by the Song Dynasty, tea was often drunk without added flavorings. Tea bowls, small bowls with wide mouths and narrow bottoms, came in various glazes such as black, brown, celadon, and white. They were essential for tea tasting competitions.

Ceramic production techniques improved significantly during this period, leading to the formation of five famous kilns: Guan (official), Ge, Ru, Ding, and Jun. Each kiln had its unique style and charm. For instance, Jun ware was highly prized, with the saying, “If you do not own Jun ware, you cannot claim to be wealthy.”

IV

Yuan Dynasty

Blue-and-white porcelain tea wares gained prominence. With delicate blue patterns on white porcelain, they were elegant yet rich in detail, perfectly aligning with the tranquil and graceful nature of tea culture, making them popular among tea enthusiasts.

Due to the increased consumption of loose and powdered teas, which were often steeped in boiling water, the variety of tea wares simplified, but the quality improved.

V

Ming Dynasty

During the Ming Dynasty, stir-fried loose tea replaced steamed Compressed tea, simplifying the brewing process and leading to the adoption of steeping methods. This shift transformed the way people drank tea and evolved their preferences and aesthetic tastes for tea and tea ware.

Yixing purple clay pottery developed alongside porcelain. “Jingdezhen porcelain and Yixing pottery” saw great innovations in glaze colors and shapes. The shift in drinking methods during the Ming Dynasty made purple clay pottery, which could fully bring out the essence of tea, a new favorite.

VI

Qing Dynasty

Covered bowls were particularly favored by the imperial court during the Qing Dynasty. Jingdezhen continued to produce blue-and-white porcelain and polychrome porcelain, while also innovating with pastel-colored and enameled tea wares. Yixing purple clay tea wares also experienced new developments while preserving traditional craftsmanship.

The variety of tea wares increased, their shapes changed, and their colors diversified. When combined with poetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving, these elements elevated the creation of tea wares to new heights.