A Chinese tea set is a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Decorative sets may not be terribly useful if you intend on serving out of them often. You can find a traditional Chinese tea set that is both ornate and practical if you know what to look for. Here are some basic things you should know before you purchase a set for yourself or as a gift.
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Wedding Sets
In Chinese tea culture a wedding tea set is used as a pretty big part of the wedding ceremony. Serving tea is a sign of respect, and the bride and groom are expected to serve tea to their parents, grandparents, and other elder relatives. Gifting a tea set for this occasion will be appreciated. The set can also be used after the wedding as the bride and groom start their lives together. If you are thinking about giving a Chinese tea set as a wedding gift, you need to get some basic information first. Find out what style wedding is being held. The tea set should add to the décor, not become a distraction. You also need to know how many people are going to be served. In some ceremonies only the parents are served, so you would only need service for 4. In other ceremonies grandparents and extended family members are served. If you want the Chinese wedding tea set to be used in the wedding ceremony you need to make sure it has enough service for everyone.
Porcelain Chinese Tea Set
A porcelain Chinese tea set can be beautiful. However, porcelain should be glazed well before tea is served. Without this, the tannins from the tea can build up on the cups and the tea pot. This will affect the flavor of the tea. Porcelain tea sets are an inexpensive option, but may not hold up well. Spend the extra money to make sure they are glazed properly so you can enjoy the set for many years.
Gongfu Tea Sets
Gongfu tea service sets are an affordable way to get everything you need for your own Chinese tea ceremony. These are made of a clay that is perfect for tea. These sets aren’t glazed. This allows the flavor of the tea to mix with the porous nature of the clay. As you brew each pot of tea, the tea becomes more flavorful because of this. The tannins in the tea won’t build up on the surface with these. Another unique aspect of the Gongfu sets is that as you continue to use them, the aging process actually starts to gloss the teaware. This means they become prettier with time. You can usually find a full Gongfu set that includes service for 6 and a tray for under $100. With proper care they can last a lifetime.
Stone Tea Sets
These will be more expensive, but will last a lifetime. The Chinese stone tea sets are made of hand carved stone. The stone is then treated and painted to create a set that is useful and pretty. These types of oriental tea sets are usually designed in smaller proportions because of the craftsmanship involved. It’s common to find these in sets with service for 2 or 4. However, you can build on to these sets by ordering the individual saucers and cups later if you want. Stone sets are perfect to pass down through many generations since they last such a long time. A lot of children’s tea sets are made of stone for this reason as well. If you are thinking about purchasing a stone Chinese tea set, expect to spend a few hundred dollars for a small service set.
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