Tea sets: types and secrets of choice

Tea drinking is considered the most popular ritual, since during it you can not only enjoy the taste of a hot drink, but also easily chat with friends or just sit with a close family circle. To keep such pleasant moments in memory for a long time, beautiful sets are used to serve tea. These accessories are presented on the market in a huge assortment and differ from each other in the material of manufacture, the number of items and style.

Any tea service is considered a symbol of home warmth, comfort and coziness. The beautiful bone china tea set first appeared centuries ago in China, after which it was brought to Europe and became a luxury item. Elite sets in those days consisted of both the main items and were supplemented with various attributes in the form of bowls for sugar, vases for jam and trays for dessert spoons and plates for baking. Today, the classic tea service can consist of cups with a teapot, saucers and sometimes a milk jug and glass sugar bowl.

All of the above items have certain characteristics.

• Cups. They are bowls with a volume of 200 to 250 ml, mounted on a low leg, with a flat bottom and an elegant handle. Thanks to the wide surface of the bowls, hot drinks cool quickly in them.

• Saucer. These are miniature plates, the diameter of which is up to 15 cm. They owe their appearance to the British, who invented them in order not to stain clothes and tablecloths with spilled tea. Therefore, when during the tea ceremony the cup was held not over the table, but over the knees, then a saucer must have been in the other hand.These mini-plates can have various shapes; square plates are very popular. There are also original options that are usually included in a gift set.

• Kettle. It is equipped with a removable lid and is intended in a tea service. Teapots can be of different sizes, which on average does not exceed 1 liter.

• Milkman. Since many people like to drink tea with cream or milk, so that during tea drinking they harmoniously fit into the overall style of the service, manufacturers complete it with a milk jug up to 300 ml.

• Sugar bowl. It is characterized by a small volume and is used for both loose and lump sugar. Unusual sets are often on sale, in which sugar bowls have bizarre shapes, graceful handles on the sides and a small lid.

Tea sets can be designed for both 6 and 12 persons. There are also original sets for 2 and 4 personsfor breakfast (they consist of a medium-sized cup and a saucer-tray), and the so-called tea pairs, represented by two cups and a pair of saucers. This white ceramic set can be presented to newlyweds for a wedding. The sets, which are designed for six people, are mainly bought by families for daily use.

They are often used in organizations and firms where it is customary to hold meetings and meetings over a cup of tea. Such sets include only the most necessary items, additionally they are equipped with a milk jug and sugar bowls. Services for 6 persons are made of various materials (glass, ceramics and porcelain), therefore the cost for them can be both low and high.

The services for 12 persons differ from the first variant in the number of saucers and cups. They are equipped with all the important dining details, as they are not intended for daily use, but for ceremonial feasts. Additionally, such sets can include up to 15 items. These services are convenient in that only part of the tableware can be used from their set, and when the guests arrive, the hostess will be "armed" to the fullest and will beautifully set the table from the general set. The only drawback in these sets is that the teapot has a small volume.

Lately, many hostesses prefer to buy sets consisting only of cups and saucers, as the teapot is considered morally obsolete. To prepare a fragrant and strong drink, they separately purchase thermopot, which has many advantages over a thick-walled traditional teapot. Firstly, it has an original modern look (it is a glass flask), and secondly, it is capable of dispensing boiling water on a momentary demand.

Deserve special attention chinese tea sets, they are the most popular now. If you look at them, they seem very simple. Chinese sets consist, as a rule, of two types of bowls (the low ones are for drinking, and the high ones are for evaluating the aroma). In addition, oriental services include gaiwan, which is a special container for brewing tea and a vessel (chahai) that is used to drain the prepared drink.

To date, tea sets are presented in a wide range, and all of them differ not only in the number of items, design, but also in the material from which they are made. In order to fully enjoy the aromatic drink, you should choose sets made from quality materials.Any vessel, be it a teapot or a cup, has unique physical properties that set a certain tone for the processes taking place inside. Therefore, the same type of tea brewed in different containers can have a different taste.

Most often, tea sets are made from the following materials.

• Ceramics. Ceramic tea sets are the most common. By the word "ceramics" it is customary to mean products made of clay, faience and porcelain. Faience is considered too fragile (a miniature chip on its surface can cause instant destruction of the product), porcelain dishes have increased strength, but they require careful handling. As for clay, this is a traditional material that is not stronger than earthenware, but compared to previous materials, it can give a special comfort.

• Glass. Sets made from this material are the second most popular after ceramics. Glass sets are characterized by their versatility and aesthetics. Glass is in perfect harmony with any textures and shades in the interior. In glass cups, tea openly displays its pure color, which gives it individuality. Such sets can be used both for celebrations and for everyday tea drinking.

• Metal. Tea sets made from this material also find their use, although they do not correspond to the traditional canons of tea ceremonies. There are on sale both exquisite and expensive silver sets, as well as affordable stainless steel options (they are mainly purchased for offices). Metal tea sets are indispensable on the road, they are completed with cups and a thermos, which acts as a teapot.

When choosing a tea set, many pay attention only to its style, without thinking that harmony between the shape and color of the cup plays a huge role in achieving pleasure in tea drinking. So, for example, a white service is considered a classic option, and any drinks or food against its background will seem more appetizing. In addition, in a white cup, tea acquires a delicate aroma and taste. As for other colors, they have the following characteristics.

• Black. Despite the fact that he is the most stylish and extravagant, many subconsciously associate him with a mourning shade, which dulls the general perception. Tea drunk from black cups will seem less strong, as its color will merge with the tint of the cup. Black sets are considered an original gift; in this case, they perform a decorative function in the house.

• Yellow. A hot drink in yellow containers will appear more aromatic, which will further increase your optimism and mood. Yellow sets are great for morning tea, as they allow you to get a positive charge for the whole day. In addition, bright orange earthenware and porcelain have a warm and inviting effect.

• Red. This color is aggressive, but it can induce an appetite. Despite the fact that the red tint does not stimulate the nervous system in the best way, it is great for tea relaxation.

• Green. In dishes of this color, food and drinks look little edible and expressionless. Therefore, if the hostess is very fond of green, then it is recommended to purchase sets in which the green tint is diluted with light patterns or a gold border.

• Light blue and blue. According to psychologists, the blue service is capable of causing a falling out over tea drinking. In addition, all shades of blue are referred to as a cold palette, therefore sets in this color are not recommended for serving hot drinks.

• Pink. It is considered the most romantic and suitable color for tea drinking. It positively attunes, encourages inner contemplation and pacifies.

Today, tea sets are presented on the market in a huge assortment, therefore, when buying, it is very difficult to make a choice in favor of one type or another. Before you go shopping, it is important to decide on the purpose of the dishes: whether they will be used in everyday life or only for special occasions. In the first case, it is necessary to give preference to sets consisting of the following items:

• saucers and cups;
• plates;
• cream dishes or milk jug;
• dishes for the cake.

In addition, a sugar bowl and a butter dish are considered mandatory items in the service. Do not forget about the main component of the service - the teapot. If the set is bought only for occasional use, then you can choose exquisite options from expensive ceramics, decorated with original decor.

For everyday use, tea sets for 6 people are recommended, if the family is large, then for tea feasts it is best to buy a set for 12 people. In the event that the service is purchased as a gift, you can choose chic sets for 16 persons.

If we consider the purchase of a tea set from an economic point of view, then it is best to immediately choose one large and high-quality set, consisting of a huge number of items. Thus, the hostess will be able to use the components of the service at her discretion, for example, in the morning to take only cups, saucers and a sugar bowl, and when guests arrive, display all the items.

Great connoisseurs of the tea ceremony should pay attention to the material from which the dishes are made, since the quality of the drink will depend on this. This will seem strange to many, but each type of tea has its own tableware material. It looks like this.

• Floral and herbal yellow, white, green teas require long-term maintenance of temperature, after which they acquire an exquisite aroma and taste. For such varieties, it is recommended to buy fine china or glass sets.

• Oolong It is considered to be a medium fermentation tea, so it takes time to prepare for it to show all its taste. In this case, Chinese sets made from high quality porcelain and Yixing clay are well suited.

• Pu-erh and black teas must be cooked in high temperature water, which has a profound effect on the tea leaf. For these types of drink, it is best to give preference to ceramic sets. At the same time, in winter and autumn, you can use earthenware, clay, and in summer - porcelain. Today, there are also universal glassware on sale, in which teapots are equipped with special covers or a heating system.

• Herbal and fruit teas, containing roots, twigs, dried fruits, are best brewed in earthenware or clay.

For information on how to choose a tea set, see the next video.