Tea Pet

Function

Also known as a tea curio, it’s used to decorate and beautify the tea table setup. It’s well loved among tea lovers.

Types

Most tea pets are made with zisha and come in many varieties, such as animals like pigs or dogs, people like buddha or children.

Use

When brewing or tasting tea, share the tea with the tea pet on the table, adding more fun to the experience.

– Just like zisha teapot, zisha tea pets also need to be “yang”-ed. Using boiling water and hot tea to nourish them, clean them with a brush and polish them with a tea cloth regularly. This will make them more lustrous, and lively.

Tea Cup Coaster

Function

Also known simply as a saucer. It’s used as a base for the tasting cup or aroma cup and to prevent the table from getting wet. It also helps reduce the wear on the tea cups.

Types

There are many materials, such a s porcelain, zisha, pottery, etc. You can also find wood or bamboo. It’s usually matched with the tasting cup, but feel free to mix and match.

Use

Be sure to clean the saucer after each use. If it’s wood or bamboo material, it also needs to be aired or dried.

Dry Brew Tea Table (hu cheng)

Function

Also known as a teapot saucer, it’s used to put the teapot on. It can hold the boiling water that spills out from the teapot and keep the table clean.

Types

These are made from zisha, pottery and porcelain. It’s usually paired with the teapot, but feel free to mix and match. There are single layer and double layered dry brew tea tables. Most of them are round with some decorations.

Use

When putting the zisha teapot on the dry brew tea table, put a pad first to avoid abrasion.

Lid Holder

Also known as lid stand. It’s used to put the teapot lid on when brewing tea. It prevents the teapot lid from directly contacting the tea table, reducing abrasion.

Types

There are various designs, some look like tall zisha tree trunks, little lotus shapes, or porcelain plates.

Use

Using a lid holder brings the tea brewing setup to the next level. But be sure to clean it after use, otherwise, the tea stain will build up and make it look inelegant.

Pu’er Knife

Function

Also known as a tea knife. This specialized tool is used to pry off pressed tea from a brick or cake and is commonly used for Pu’er Tea.

Types

There are materials like stainless steel, ox horn, bone, etc.

Select

Ideally choose a tea knife that is not so sharp, reducing the chance of cutting the tea leaves of the pressed tea.

Use

1. Insert the tea knife horizontally into the tea cake, slowly lift up the knife while holding  the pried-off tea leaves with your thumb.
2. Pressed tea is usually pretty tight. Be careful when using the knife to avoid getting hurt.

Waste water bucket

Function

During tea brewing, water flows through a hose and is stored out of sight in the waste water bucket.

Types

Usually bamboo, wood, plastic, stainless.

Use

1. The top layer of the waste water bucket usually comes with sieve to separate tea leaves from the water. This layer also has a hole to connect the hose directly to the bucket.
2. Clean the bucket regularly avoiding tea stains.

Water basin

Function

Also known as a tea basin, or a waste water basin. It’s used to store waste water during tea brewing. It functions like a waste water bucket or tea table.

Types

Porcelain or pottery.

Use

1. If there’s no tea table or waste water bucket, you can use a water basin to store hot water and tea waste. It’s simple and easy.
2. The water basin is smaller in volume, so empty it frequently.