TEA ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT
BREWING ITEMS
Digital Scale & Measuring Spoon
Used to precisely and accurately measure the appropriate quantity of tea required, according to the appropriate quantity of water.
These digital scales are compact, portable, and accurate even with very small quantity of tea leaves.
Timer
Used to measure the brewing time according to each type of tea.
Thermometer
Used to measure the water temperature, properly selected according to the type of tea
Variable Temperature Kettle
These easy-to-use kettles have accurate temperature settings for each type of tea, simply selecting the tea type and pressing a button.
More specialized ones have temperature settings, so it is necessary to know the optimal temperature for each type of tea.
INFUSER
Instrumental into which the tea leaves are placed inside the water. It is lifted out when the brewing time has come to an end and the tea has steeped.
They now come in many materials (plastic, metal, cloth, paper), and forms, from the classic ball to many modern silicone shapes. Many hook onto the sides of mugs or teapots, doing a good job, but we highly recommend those that allow enough room for the leaves to expand fully -as it is when the leaves can give all of its wonderful flavor- as the classic “vase” shape, in stainless steel, glass, porcelain, nylon or plastic, are wonderful.
STRAINER
TEAPOTS
The teapots used in the West today developed from the round-bodied teapots that were imported from China to Europe and North America on the same ships that brought the tea.
Teapots come in different shapes and sizes and are made from many different materials.
The most common ones are glazed stoneware, enameled cast iron, glass, ceramic, porcelain, or bone china. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages for steeping tea, but it is said that the type of tea you seek to steep largely determines the type of teapot you use.
Glazed Clay Teapots
They are usually made from porcelain, and therefore very thin and delicate. The thin walls and taste neutrality of the porcelain makes it ideal for delicate teas with subtle aromas and flavors.
Enameled Cast Iron Teapots
They are originally used in China to heat water, but now are important vessels to steep any type of tea. Its iron walls can stand very high temperatures and keep longer lower ones, allowing the tea leaves to give the best aroma and flavor.
Glass Teapots
Glass can be a preferable material for steeping delicate teas, especially some green, white, and yellow teas. It not only allows you to see the clarity and color of the tea, but it also allows you to enjoy the dancing leaves as they unfold during steeping.
The disadvantage is that they do not retain heat, making them not so suitable material for oolong, black and dark tea.
Shape and quality of the teapot is very important as well. You should not use a teapot that is too big or heavy for the hands and neither one that makes difficult to easily pour the tea. And regarding quality, a higher quality one will provide more steady and uniform results from one steeping to the next.
There are also some very special teapots or vessels used for traditional tea ceremonies or typical from different countries or cultures (Kyusu pot in Japan, Chinese Gaiwan, Yixing pots, etc).
