How To Use Tenmokus Tea Set

1.What are the primary utensils included in the Tenmoku tea sets?

One of the most critical features of Teochew gongfu tea is that it can be complicated or simple, which is why Chaozhou Tenmoku tea has been passed down for so long. One teapot or Gaiwan, three teacups, one fair cup, and one filter are enough. We will introduce the utensils mainly included in the Tenmoku tea sets below.

1) Teapot

There are many types of teapots. According to the material, they can be divided into porcelain pots, pottery pots, gold and silver pots, and glass pots. Zisha pots are suitable for making oolong tea, dark tea, etc.

2) Gaiwan

Gaiwan is a tea set with a cover, a saucer on the bottom, and a bowl. When used for green tea, it is a bowl for one person; when used for black tea and oolong tea, it is used as a tea set.

3) Fair Cup

The fair cup is also called Chahai. After the tea in the teapot is brewed, it can be poured into the fair cup. The fair cup is used for tea division.

4) Strainer

The filter is also called Chalou, and when the brewed tea is poured into the fair cup, it is placed on the lip of the fair cup. The strainer can filter the tea leaves and impurities mixed in the tea so the tea tastes smooth and the color is bright.

5) Teacup

There are generally six tea cups of the same size and shape.

4. How to use Tenmoku tea sets, the simplified steps

1) Preparation

Before brewing tea, we can use a pot of boiling water to scald the cup, increase the tea set’s temperature, and clean it. Then add an appropriate amount of tea to the teapot, depending on your preference: green tea, oolong tea, puer tea, etc.

2) Wash the tea

The tea, for the first time in brewing, is not drinkable. For example, in Pu’er, there will be some ash, paper scraps, and other sundries, so the tea needs to be washed. Pour boiling water into the teapot with tea, close the lid, shake the teapot for 10 to 15 seconds, and then pour out the tea. The tea-washing step is complete.

3) Brewing tea

Boil the water in the kettle again, and then quickly pour it into the pot along the edge of the teapot, which will be more conducive to the diffusion of the tea aroma. When the teapot is filled with boiling water, wait for 30 seconds to brew the tea leaves fully.

4) Pour the tea into the fair cup

After the tea is brewed, put the strainer on the lip of the fair cup, and then pour the tea into the fair cup with the strainer for filtering, making the tea taste better

Key point: Pay attention to the gesture of the lady pouring tea in the picture below: hold the edge of the bowl with your thumb and middle finger, and gently grasp the knob of the lid with your index finger to ensure that your hands are not scalded. You can visit: How to use Gaiwan without burning your hands for more.

5) Tea division and tasting tea

Pour the tea in the fair cup into the previously washed tea cup. When tasting tea, take a small sip slowly to taste the aroma of the tea.