Not understanding your tea ware when drinking tea is akin to a soldier without his weapon, as the saying goes, “If one wishes to do well in their craft, they must first have the right tools.” Do you know the names and uses of the following common tea ware?

▍Wind stove

A stove specifically used for boiling tea.

▍Teapot

A spouted vessel used for Steeping and serving tea; commonly made of Yixing clay or porcelain.

▍Pot stand / Tea tray

Pot stand

Tea tray

Serves to hold the teapot (and Teacups), catch overflow water, and prevent heat from burning hands. It can be as simple as a plate or as elaborate as a fine piece of art.

▍Gaiwan

Also known as the “Three Talents Bowl” or “Three Talents Cup,” it can be used to steep tea for group sharing or as an individual cup for direct consumption. Gaiwans are typically made of porcelain, Yixing clay, or glass.

▍Fairness cup

Also called tea sea or tea pitcher, used to hold tea liquor before distributing it into tasting cups, ensuring similar strength and taste, and also to collect tea residue.

▍Tasting cup

A dedicated cup for sipping tea and appreciating its color, often made of white porcelain, Yixing clay, or glass.

▍Tea saucer (cup saucer)

A dish that supports the teacup, often made of metal, ceramic, wood, or plastic.

▍Tea washer

Shaped like a large bowl, three are necessary for Gongfu tea preparation. One is for soaking teacups, another for rinsing the teapot, and the third for holding rinse water and spent tea leaves.

▍Tea measure

A tool used to measure the amount of tea leaves or powdered tea before brewing, to be placed in a teapot, gaiwan, or tea presentation dish.

▍Tea presentation dish

A dish used to hold dry tea leaves prior to brewing, usually half-spherical with a lip, making it easy to observe the shape of the dry leaves.