We know that not all teas are suitable for brewing in just any cup. Choosing the correct tea set to brew tea involves not only focusing on the texture of the vessel but also paying attention to the color of its exterior. Below is an introduction to the principles of pairing tea with tea sets.
Only when the function, texture, and color of the tea set are harmonized can a perfect tea set be selected. The color of ceramics is closely related to the mineral components contained in the body or glaze, and the same mineral components can produce different colors depending on their concentration. Pottery is usually made from clay containing iron oxide, and depending on the firing temperature and oxidation level, the colors are mostly yellow, reddish-brown, brown, gray, etc. The patterns and colors of porcelain have always been diverse and ever-changing.
If auxiliary items are matched based on the color of the main tea set, it becomes seamless. The suitable tea set colors for various types of tea are roughly as follows:
Green Tea: Transparent glass cup, should be colorless, without patterns, and without a lid. Or use a white porcelain, celadon, or blue-and-white porcelain lidless cup.
Jasmine Tea: Celadon, blue-and-white porcelain covered bowl (gaiwan), or lidded cup.
Yellow Tea: Milk-white or yellow-glazed porcelain, and yellow-orange pot and cup sets, covered bowl, or lidded cup.
Black Tea: Purple clay with white glaze interior, white porcelain, red-glazed porcelain, warm-colored porcelain pot and cup sets, lidded cup, covered bowl, or coffee pot sets.
White Tea: White porcelain or yellow clay stoneware pot and cups, and black porcelain with colored interior.
Oolong Tea: Purple clay pot and cup sets, or white porcelain pot and cup sets, covered bowl, or lidded cup are best.
Brewing tea generally only requires preparing the utensils, tea, and water, then steeping with boiling water to drink. However, fully bringing out the tea's inherent color, aroma, and flavor, and brewing it well, is not easy. It requires applying different brewing techniques and methods according to the different characteristics of the tea. With the fast pace of modern life, the traditional brewing method, which uses simple 'tools' and free brewing style, is very suitable for the general public.
Most people often use ceramic cups or glass cups to brew tea at home or in the office. This method is simple, but because the tea leaves and tea soup are steeped together, it can easily make the tea soup bitter and unpleasant to drink; a more practical method is brewing tea in a large pot, but the ratio of tea leaves to water must be set correctly. The general standard ratio is tea leaves : water = 1 : 50. After brewing for about 5 to 6 minutes, pour the tea soup into another container and then drink it slowly; if you need to brew another pot with the same leaves, add boiling water, but it is advisable to extend the brewing time.
The above is an introduction to the principles of pairing tea with tea sets. We hope this helps everyone understand this knowledge.