For beginners in the art of tea ceremony, besides purchasing tea leaves, it is also necessary to equip oneself with some tea utensils. However, a complete set of traditional Gongfu tea utensils can be overwhelming with its multitude of items and varieties, making choices difficult. Generally speaking, for tea enthusiasts, it is sufficient to have a few main pieces. A boiling water device is essential as many teas require high-temperature water for brewing, and controlling the temperature is fundamental to ensuring the flavor of the tea soup.
Ancient methods included the use of wind stoves or charcoal stoves, but for convenience, electromagnetic water boilers are commonly used today. Stainless steel kettles, clay pots, and heat-resistant glass kettles are simple to operate, convenient, and safe. If one prefers a charcoal stove, remember to open windows and maintain ventilation while boiling water indoors. The Zisha pot is the main character on the tea table, with various types of teapots available, including Zisha, porcelain, and glass pots. Zisha pots perfectly retain the color, aroma, and taste of tea, and are often used for brewing Oolong or Pu-erh tea, with pot nurturing being a significant part of the enjoyment. Porcelain pots are suitable for all types of tea and are convenient for daily use. Glass pots allow for the appreciation of the tea soup, and one can choose based on personal needs.Gaiwan, also known as the ‘Three Talents Cup’, consists of a tea lid on top, symbolizing ‘Heaven’; a tea saucer on the bottom, symbolizing ‘Earth’; and the bowl in the middle, symbolizing ‘Man’. The Gaiwan serves both as a tea cup and a teapot, allowing one to brew and drink tea directly from the Gaiwan or to brew in the Gaiwan and then pour into tasting cups for multiple people to enjoy. When selecting a Gaiwan, attention should be paid to the cup shape, choosing a capacity and size that suits oneself.
Tasting cups are small cups used for drinking tea, with materials including porcelain, clay, Zisha, and glass. When choosing a tasting cup, its style and texture should complement the teapot. Tasting cups can serve different purposes based on the host’s mood, purpose, and preferences, carrying the host’s aura and displaying a unique style and charm. The fair cup, along with the teacup and teapot, are the three main characters in Gongfu tea. Fair cups come in porcelain, Zisha, and glass materials, with porcelain and glass being the most commonly used. A fair cup should match the teapot and teacup. Generally, the fair cup should be slightly larger than the teapot and Gaiwan. Since the tea brewed in the teapot, when poured directly into cups, may have uneven concentration or tea residue, pouring the tea soup into the fair cup ensures that the concentration of tea in each cup is essentially the same, allowing each guest to taste the same flavor of tea. A tea tray is a shallow-bottomed vessel used to place teapots, tea cups, tea sets, tea pets, and tea snacks. Its function is twofold: to organize the tea utensils and to catch any spilled tea soup or leaves. Tea trays are primarily made of bamboo or wood, but other materials such as metal, stone, and jade are also used. Regardless of the style of the tea tray, when choosing one, grasp three points: wide, flat, and shallow. A wide tray can accommodate more cups for a larger number of guests; a flat bottom keeps the tea cups stable and less likely to wobble; and a shallow edge can set off the tea cups and teapot, enhancing the overall aesthetics.Generally speaking, for the dry brewing method, a dry brewing table can be used. For the wet brewing method (that is, on the tea table, tea sets can be freely washed and the tea can be rinsed, and the waste water is directly poured on the tea table), a tea tray is usually used. Most tea ceremony performances usually use tea trays.
Besides the taste of tea, what can make people feel happy is also the atmosphere brought by tea and a peaceful state of mind. There is no need to be restricted to a certain form. Anyway, just be happy.
