All about Teaware - Find the Best Tea Tools for Different Types of Tea

It is a known fact that teas are available in a wide variety. Each has its personalized taste and texture. But what is lesser known is that the generic teaware is not the perfect choice to enjoy each and every kind of tea. Whether one is a hardcore tea drinker or someone who prefers it occasionally, the rule remains the same. But the problem is the prevalent lack of knowledge. This is because the list of teaware is long - ranging from tea basket to Yixing pots - and thus, many people fall for the wrong suggestions and end up with practically useless teaware sets.

In this article, we'll list all the teaware options to enhance the quality of brewing tea and turn it into a therapeutic ritual. But it is to be noted that all the teaware options mentioned in this article will be for loose tea leaves and not tea bags. Let us start with the basics first. If you have recently started consuming tea and want to keep the brewing simple, here's all you'll need -

1. Tea Infuser Basket

Tea leaves, especially the high-quality ones, need space to breathe. What this means is that the tea leaves unfurl when dropped in water. Thus their size increases from the one they had in the dried state, giving proper space to the leaves while steeping releases the full flavour of the leaves. A tea infuser basket is a perfect yet simplest way for that. Also, with the tea infuser basket, you lessen the chance of over-steeping it. Over-steeping is one of the most common ways to turn the tea into a bitter drink, ruining the otherwise great taste. One of the best tea infuser baskets available in the market is Yoassi Tea Infuser.

(a) Yoassi Extra Fine 18/8 Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Mesh Strainer: This teaware, because of its Food Grade stainless steel material, is one of the best tea infuser baskets available. As it has two handles, it can be placed very easily over a teapot or teacup. The size fits almost all the teapots, mugs or cups. Because of its large spacing, the tea leaves can breathe easily through circulation while steeping. This helps the leaves release more flavour, upping the taste of the tea. One can buy it on Amazon under Tea Filter Section - Shop here.

• Manufacturer: Yoassi
• Price: $8.99 or INR 670 (as on 1 January 2023)
• Extra Features:
• No chemicals have been used in the making of this teaware, thus ensuring an odour-free tea every time.
• The fine mesh of the teaware ensures that even the finest quality tea leaves like rooibos, don't leak into the drink.
• Suitable for: Rooibos tea, green tea, black tea, and herbal tea.
• Product dimensions: 8 x 7.9 x 7.9 inches
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Warranty: 12 months.
• Ratings: 4.8/ 5.0 stars (Based on 1832 Reviews)
• Related questions: 
• Question: Can somebody count the number of holes per linear inch? Answer: It’s a fine mesh.
• Question: Where is this product made? Answer: The box says Made in China with FDA printed on the bottom right corner of the box next to it with a picture of a cup and spoon. 
• Question: What is the diameter of the tea infuser? Answer: The infuser is tapered and it is about 2 3/8 at the top of the tea infuser and close to 1 3/4 at the bottom.
• For more explore on Amazon Customer Questions & Answers

 Yoassi Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Mesh Strainer, Amazon, licensed under CC BY 2.0

2. Gaiwan

Gaiwan is one of the oldest Chinese teaware. Legends say that this teaware came into existence during the Ming dynasty. It is an integral part of the traditional Chinese tea culture. Basically, it's a small teacup with a lid and a saucer. One of the best Gaiwans available in the market is the Purple Clay Gaiwan teacup.

(a) Chinese Yi Xing Purple Clay Gaiwan Tea Cup: The teaware is made from purple clay, which claims to be rich in iron. The teacup holds around 150ml of tea. Gaiwan teacups are known for their traditional heritage and hold a high status in Chinese tea culture. It is the perfect teaware of the gongfu tea ceremony. One can buy it on Amazon under Tea Cup Section - Shop here.

• Manufacturer: De huaYao
• Price: $9.90 or INR 720 (as on 1 January 2023)
• Suitable for: Preparing oolong, black and pu'erh tea in the gongfu way.
• Product dimensions: 4.72 x 4.45 x 3.54 inches
• Weight: 8.7 ounces
• Ratings: 4.7/5.0 stars (Based on 29 Reviews)
• Related questions:
• Question: Is this set microwave protected? Answer: You should not put a Yixing clay Gaiwan in the microwave. That's antithetical to the whole point of gongfu tea brewing, regardless of whether it breaks the Gaiwan or not.
• Question: Is this glazed inside? Answer: No, it’s not glazed.
• For more explore on Amazon Customer Questions & Answers

Chinese Yi Xing Purple Clay Gaiwan Tea Cup, Amazon, licensed under CC BY 2.0

3. Teapot

A teapot is one of the most common teawares used in western tea culture. There is a range of teapots available, ranging from glass and porcelain. The best part is, you can decide to buy a single teapot without the other components of the teaware set. Depending on your preference, you can select any of them.

The glass teapot or kettle is the most elegant of all varieties of western teaware. Glass teapots are frequently used for consuming blooming teas like jasmine, rose, and chrysanthemum. The most exciting part is, these let tea lovers witness the flowers bloom or unfurl while the tea is steeping. One of the best glass teapots available in the market is Teabloom's Stovetop and Microwave safe glass teapot.

(a) Teabloom Stovetop & Microwave Safe Glass Teapot: Teabloom is known for its high-quality teawares among tea lovers. This teaware is one of the best because it is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass. So, it's a perfect teaware to be used on stoves, micro-ovens, etc. Because of its large spacing, it can hold 4 to 5 cups of tea at one time. Being a glass teaware, you can watch the whole brewing process. As it comes with a glass tea infuser, it can be used for brewing both blooming teas and loose tea leaves. It is safe to put the item in a dishwasher because of the thick glass. The teaware set also comes with two high quality blooming tea sachets made by the tea-masters of Teabloom company. So, besides personal use, it's also a perfect choice for gifting purposes. One can buy it on Amazon under Teapot Section - Shop here.

• Manufacturer: Teabloom
• Price: $24.99 or INR 1866 (as on 1 January 2023)
• Suitable for: Blooming teas as well as loose leaves teas.
• Product dimensions: 4.7 x 3.6 x 3.2 inches
• Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Ratings:  4.5/ 5.0 stars (Based on 1916 Reviews)
• Related questions:
• Question: Can we use this over the stove? Yes, you can use it over the stove. Water will bubble inside it and the teapot will hold up.
• Question: How do you get the pod to stay on the bottom of the pot? Answer: Use filtered water and after boiling pour the hot water over the pod, after around ten minutes the flower blooms and settles.
• For more explore on Amazon Customer Questions & Answers

Teabloom Stovetop & Microwave Safe Glass Teapot, Amazon, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Porcelain teapots are also popular teawares. Most cafes and restaurants use porcelain teapots to serve tea. Porcelain, unlike glass or stainless steel, doesn't conduct much heat, thus making it easier to handle. It is also one of the most traditional teawares. Whether we talk about Japanese teaware, Chinese teaware, or even the western teawares, porcelain teapots have been globally used for ages. One of the best porcelain teapots available in the market is Seeese's Porcelain teapot.

(b) Sweese 221.101 Porcelain Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser: Sweese is known for its high-quality teawares among tea lovers. Being made up of high-quality porcelain, it's a perfect teaware for microwave ovens and because of its spacing, it can hold up to 3 cups of tea at one time. The design of the teaware makes it very easy to handle. It has a stainless steel infuser to brew loose leaf teas. It is made from lead-free material, thus making it safe from any kind of toxic substance. It is safe to be put in a dishwasher because of the thick porcelain. The company provides free replacement or refund for any kind of problem with the product. It is also available in 4 more colours like red, blue, navy, and turquoise. One can buy it on Amazon under Tea Infuser Section - Shop here.

• Manufacturer: Sweese
• Price: $22.99 or INR 1720 (as on 1 January 2023)
• Suitable for: All kinds of loose leaf teas.
• Product dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6.25 inches
• Weight: 3.59 pounds
• Ratings: 4.5/ 5.0 stars (Based on 286 Reviews)

Sweese 221.101 Porcelain Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser, Amazon, licensed under CC BY 2.0

4. Matcha Tea Set

We simply can't end this article without discussing Japanese teaware such as the matcha set. Matcha tea is taking the world by a storm due to its range of health benefits. Though many brew matcha in a pot, the traditional way of preparing matcha is known to be a therapeutic ritual. All that's needed is a matcha kit. One of the best matcha kit available in the current market is of LTLR's Bamboo Matcha tea set.

(a) Bamboo Matcha Tea Whisk Set (Chasen), Matcha Bowl (Chawan), Bamboo Scoop (Chashaku), Ceramic Whisk Holder, Handmade Matcha Ceremony Starter Kit: LTLR is a premium quality among tea lovers. This teaware is made of high-quality porcelain. So, it's a perfect teaware to be used on stoves. It is a complete matcha teaware set consisting of Matcha Bowl x 1, Bamboo Whisk, Bamboo Scoop x 1, Whisk Holder x 1, Scoop Holder x 1, Tea Sifter x 1 and Tea Towel x 1. The matcha teaware is very easy to handle. There's no need to have specialized skills to prepare matcha with it. It is made from lead-free material, so it is safe from any kind of toxic. The Japanese design adds to the authenticity of the teaware and high-quality bamboo blocks from the Takayama District of Nara, are used to make the bamboo whisk and scoop. One can buy it on Amazon under Tea Set Section - Shop here.

• Manufacturer: LTLR
• Price: $35.39 or INR 2650 (as on 1 January 2023)
• Suitable for: Traditionally preparing matcha tea.
• Product dimensions: 8.9 x 7.2 x 3.1 inches
• Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Ratings: 4.5/ 5.0 stars (Based on 69 Reviews)
• Related questions: 
• Question: Does anyone know what to do with the tea strainer while making the Matcha tea? Answer: The matcha powder should be very fine, so the strainer (sifter) is to remove clumps from the powder. More a practical than a ceremonial use.
• Question: Is the bowl ceramic or wood? Answer: The bowl and the whisk holder are both ceramic as is the duck.
• For more explore on Amazon Customer Questions & Answers

Bamboo Matcha Tea Whisk Set (Chasen) Matcha Bowl (Chawan) Bamboo Scoop (Chashaku), Amazon, licensed under CC BY 2.0

5. Kyushu

Another significant Japanese teaware is Kyushu. It's a traditional teaware used for brewing Japanese green tea. That's why it's very popular among both dedicated tea lovers and newies. One of the best Kyushu teapot available on Amazon is Hase Potting's Banko Teapot.

(a) Hase potting E408 Purple mud Yokkaichi Banko teapot: The purple mud which is used for making the teaware is rich in iron. This teaware is made in the Banko region of Japan. There is a stainless steel tea strainer inside the teapot. The teaware can brew around 12 oz. of tea at one serving. One can buy it on Amazon under Tea Strainer Section - Shop here.

• Manufacturer: Hase Potting
• Price: $32.86 or INR 2450 (as on 1 January 2023)
• Suitable for: Preparing Japanese teas like the Sencha, Gyokuru, and Genmaicha.
• Product dimensions: 6.22 x 5.67 x 3.78 inches
• Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Ratings: 4.4/ 5.0 stars (Based on 79 Reviews) 
• Related questions: 
• Question: Is it true purple clay?Answer: The pot has a warm brown, purple-tinged colour that comes from the minerals in the clay. The pot is a great size for making tea. By not allowing the tea leaves to over brew, you end up with less chance of having a bitter-tasting tea.
• Question: How many ounces of tea can the pot make? Answer: The inside quantity is about 370cc. in addition, this is so convenient that you can keep the tea in the stainless cup inside which will keep the tea. Originally this kind of pot did not have this kind of cup, so, tea leaves came out with the tea. Some people use tea bag but it is a little inconvenient.
• For more explore on Amazon Customer Questions & Answers

E408 Purple Mud Yokkaichi Banko teapot, Amazon, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Teacurry.com hopes that you thoroughly enjoyed the above research we have tried to put together in terms our list of top teaware to enjoy different types of tea. Let us know in the comment section the teaware you think would best improve your experience.

References & Sources

•  The Moroccan teapot. Moroccanzest.
• Morocco's Tea Drinking Tradition.
• A Guide to YiXing Teapots.
• List of Japanese tea ceremony equipment.
• Tea Set History Archived 2006-11-19 at the Wayback Machine, by Miriam Ellis, 2006
• Glanville, Philippa (5 November 2013). Teaware. Silver in England. Routledge. pp. 92–98.
• Laura C. Martin (11 April 2011). The Evolution of the European Tea Ware. Tea: The Drink that Changed the World. Tuttle Publishing.
• Roth, Rodris (1961). Tea Drinking in 18th-Century America: Its Etiquette and Equipage (PDF). United States National Museum Bulletin. Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology Paper 14.
• Pettigrew, Jane (2001). A Social History of Tea. National Trust.
• Von Drachenfels, Susanne (2000). The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware. Simon & Schuster.