Although the ceremony emphasizes the tea, the overall style of tea drinking is still of great importance.  Chinese teapots and tea cups are highly needed and each piece plays a role distinct from the other.

Speaking of Chinese teapots, I guess nothing is more suitable for a wonderful tea experience than the original Chinese teapot – the Yixing. Usually pronounced “E-ching”, these collectible pots are so charming and can be starkly simple with designs that are thousands of years old.

Many people even claimed that these teapots are whimsical, being shaped like lotus flowers and with Buddhas and pre-Majolica subjects like vegetables, fruits or animals.

The contemporary Yixing Chinese teapots come in different shapes.  The most common shapes are chairs, wheelbarrows, and other unusual styles that never fail to bring smile to one’s face.

What’s interesting to know about Yixing teapots is that its primary importance lies in its special, red clay, which is only found in the Yunnan province of mainland China.  As noted, this Chinese teapot is porous and absorbs odors easily.

It is even unglazed.  I think this is the main reason that people are suggested to only use one variety of tea in the pot.  But, after a time, the Yixing teapot will take on the character of your favorite Chinese tea.

The Yixing Chinese teapots are now everywhere and I think this is due to their “collectibility”.  However, it is somewhat critical to deal with a vendor who really knows their merchandise to avoid machine-made Chinese teapots or perhaps poorly made knockoffs of traditional shapes.

Like ay other product, a finely made Yixing teapot holds the heat longer and will pour better.

Now, if you are thinking of buying a Yixing Chinese teapot, then you should read on for I have mentioned below few qualities that a finely-made Yixing teapot should possess:

• The cap of the pot must be firm and should not move around easily.
• The body must not feel grainy.
• The knob on the cap must be in sync with the rest of the body.  It must be ergonomic.
• It should be able to hold substantial water.
• The Chinese teapot which is artistic and valuable usually but not always contains enough tea to serve 2 to 3 persons and not masses.
• When water is poured out of the teapot, it should come out in a beautiful stream.
• The handle should enable one to handle the teapot firmly.
• Look for Chinese teapots with net on the mouth to catch unwanted tea leaves.
• The hardness of the body should be just right.
• The color should not be dyed.
• The shape should be flowing and there should not be awkward proportions.
• The pot should have unusual shapes for it indicate craftsmanship.
• A good Chinese teapot should be made of purple clay or zhu in clay.
• The bottom of the teapot must have a name of the artist engraved onto it.
• Good Chinese teapots tend to have skin that feel brittle.  Its walls are thinner than the inferior teapots.

Just note that Yixing Chinese teapots possessing the qualities I have mentioned above can be very expensive, so you may want to experiment first with one of the machine-made ones.  If, however, you just want to buy these Chinese teapots for their aesthetic appeal, then buy what really attracts you.

There are actually thousands type of Chinese tea varieties. These are usually classified by procedure, quality, and preparation methods and so on. However, if we will consider tea in terms of quality, there are actually eight classes of Chinese tea.

These include green tea, oolong, black, red, white, yellow, flower, and compressed tea.

Now, let’s take a look at these classes one by one.

Green Tea

Green tea is said to be the most natural type of Chinese tea.  It is usually picked, naturally dried and fried briefly to get rid of its grassy smell.  Unlike the other types, green tea skipped fermentation process.

According to some experts, green tea has the most medicinal value and the least caffeine content of all Chinese tea classes.  The aroma of this type of Chinese type range from medium to high, while the flavor is usually light to medium.  Today, about 50% of China’s tea is green tea.

Oolong Tea

This type of Chinese tea is halfway between green tea and black tea in a sense that it is half fermented.  Chinese also call it “Qing Cha” and its typical leaves are green in the middle and red on the edges as a result of the process to soften tea leaves.

Oolong tea leaves are basically withered and spread before undergoing a brief fermentation process. Then, it is fried, rolled and roasted.

Black Tea

The Chinese black tea produces full-bodied amber when brewed. Also, this type of Chinese tea undergoes withering, then left to ferment for a long while, and then roasted. The leaves of this variety become completely oxidized after processing.

Red Tea

As the name implies, this type of Chinese tea has red leaves and red tea color. This color is strongly highlighted during the fermentation process. It is also considered that red tea has low aroma and medium flavor and it is now divided into three subclasses: Kung Fu Red Tea, Ted Tea Bits, and Small Species Red Tea.

White Tea

This type of Chinese tea is sometimes considered as subclass of green tea.  Perhaps it is for the fact that it is only withered and then roasted.  Just like green tea, white tea escaped fermentation process. And, it has low caffeine content.

Yellow Tea

Apparently, yellow tea has yellow leaves and yellow tea color. According to some experts, this type of Chinese tea is an uncommon class of Chinese tea. The flavor of yellow tea is usually mild and refreshing.

Flower Tea

Here is a unique type of Chinese tea – the Flower tea.   It actually subdivides into Flower Tea and Scented Tea.  Well, the Flower Tea is just based on a simple concept that dried flowers are used, without much processing, to make tea.

The Scented Tea, on the other hand, uses green tea and red tea as base and mix with scent of flowers. Generally, this class has light to medium flavor and medium to strong aroma.

Compressed Tea

The final type of Chinese tea is the compressed tea. This class uses black tea as base tea.  It is steamed and compressed into bricks, cakes, columns, and other shapes.

Also, compressed all type of Chinese tea has all the characteristics of black tea. It can be stored for years and decades.

I am considering this brand of tea for the reason that they are now widely distributed and many people have claimed that they’re one-of-the-best.  Let’s find out what makes these Chinese dieters’ teas great.

Triple Leaf Tea Background

Triple Leaf is in the first place a Chinese-American family owned business.  They blend Chinese dieters’ teas using a combination of the ancient Chinese herbal formulas with the input of modern day Chinese herbalists who are trained in traditional healing herbalism.

With this kind of approach, Triple Leaf is able to produce a result that is the creation of delicious healing teas that meet the modern-day needs.

As claimed, the herbs you find in their formulas are those that used in China by the Chinese herbalists. You may recognize some of the herbs as the renowned Chinese herbs, while others are less well-known in the West but prized in the Orient.

The Three Popular Chinese Dieters’ Teas

As mentioned earlier, Triple Leaf currently offers three of its well-known products.   These include:

Dieter’s Green Herbal Tea –

This is one of the very popular Chinese dieters’ teas in the market nowadays. As noted, this has been used traditionally for generations to help promote cleansing as well as healthy digestion.

According to its proponents, this tea is best when used along with a detox tea which is best in cleansing and detoxification.

Super Slimming Tea –

This product was formulated with a blend of powerful Chinese herbs.  Traditionally, the herbs in this blend were used to help promote detoxification, cleansing, as well as healthy digestion.  Also, it has long been considered as the potent Chinese dieters’ tea.

Licorice root, which is considered as the “Great Detoxifier” in Chinas is included in the formula, and orange peel was used as well to help promote healthy digestion.  Perhaps what’s nice about this product is that the combination of herbs yields a robust taste.

Ultra Slim –

Just like the above mentioned products, this Chinese dieters’ tea is composed of blended herbs that help to promote cleansing and healthy digestion.  According to some claims, the herbs used in the formula were believed to help move stagnant Chi (energy).

They even help to relieve indigestion and abdominal bloating.  What’s more, this Chinese dieters’ tea was traditionally used to help support harmony and balance in the body’s systems.

As commonly suggested, you can use this Chinese dieters’ tea along with detox tea for additional support in cleaning and detoxification.

Note that although these above mentioned products are considered potent for cleansing and aid healthy digestion, experts still recommend you to follow a balanced weight loss diet.

Also consider the advice of your healthcare professional for better results. If possible, try to include plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, juices, and pure water when dieting.  And, note that these Chinese dieters’ teas are not recommended for children, elderly or sick people, and even to those pregnant and nursing mothers.

Actually, the health benefits of Chinese green tea have been known throughout the world.  The Chinese have known about these medicinal benefits since ancient times, as they have been using green tea to treat everything from headaches to depression.

A writer named Nadine Taylor in her book Green Tea: the Natural Secret for a Healthier Life mentioned that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

These days, numerous scientific researches conducted both in Asia and the West is providing hard evidences for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea.

To mention, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study in 1994, indicating that drinking Chinese green tea lowers the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly 60 percent.

Also, it was reported by the researches of the University of Purdue just recently that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

There are other medical conditions to which drinking Chinese green tea is reputed to be beneficial.   To sum up, these conditions include cancer, cardiovascular disease, infection, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired immune function, and even high cholesterol levels.

What Makes Chinese Green Tea Special?

The top secret of Chinese green tea lies in the fact that it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly the said epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  EGCG is basically an anti-oxidant that has the power to fight and kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue in the body.

Studies also revealed that this anti-oxidant has been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and hampering the abnormal formation of blood clot.

The latter benefit takes on added importance for the fact that the formation of abnormal blood clots, medically known as thrombosis, is the main factor that causes stroke and heart attacks.

Furthermore, the effects of Chinese green tea and the “French Paradox” were highly associated.   Researches were in the first place puzzled by the fact that despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a less incidence of heart disease than Americans.

The primary answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol.  Resveratrol is as polyphenol that restricts the negative effects of smoking as well as a fatty diet.

However, in 1997, a certain study reported that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol.  And, this somehow explains the lower rate of heart disease among Chinese men even though approximately 70 percent are smokers.

Other Benefits of Chinese green tea

New evidences that reveal the other benefits of Chinese green tea are now emerging.  One of those is the claim that Chinese green tea can help dieters.  Researches found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more fats than those given only a placebo and caffeine.

Chinese green tea is also said to prevent tooth decay.  Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also fight the bacteria that cause dental plague.

Today, several skin preparations containing green tea, from deodorants to creams, are also starting to appear on the market.  This is for the reason that Chinese green tea is found out to be powerful in fighting bacteria that cause skin imperfections.

However, although several adjustments occur and more and more Chinese opt for modernity, the most popular Chinese wedding tea ceremony still exists. It is still being practiced by the Han Chinese in the south of the country.

The Chinese wedding tea ceremony is usually considered when the bride arrive the groom’s home. The bride and the groomwill gather before the parents and the immediate relatives and the bride will serve tea for his in-laws.

The type of tea that can be used during the Chinese wedding tea ceremony usually range from oolong tea to jasmine tea. This ceremony takes place on the day of the wedding itself.

After the serving of the tea, the guests (usually the parents first) would then give their approval to the couple and they would respond by giving them red packets. These red packets contain money to wish the couple a blissful life ahead.

Importance of the Chinese wedding Tea ceremony

Probably, tea is served during the Chinese wedding tea ceremony because it is the national drink of China and serving it is a sign of respect. Well, using tea is somewhat practical as not everyone can drink alcohol.

During the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, lotus seeds and two red dates are used in the tea for two main reasons. The first reason lies on the fact that the words “lotus” and “year”, “seed” and “child” and “date” and “early” are homophones, that is, they have the same sound but different meanings in Chinese.

Secondly, it is an ancient Chinese belief that placing lotus seeds and two red dates in the tea would help the newly weds produce children early in their marriage and every year, which would ensure many grandchildren for their parents.

Also, the sweetness of the special tea used in the Chinese wedding tea ceremony is a wish for sweet relations between the bride and her new family.

Serving of the Chinese wedding tea ceremony

On the wedding day, the bride serves the tea by holding the tea cup with both hands. The tea is served to her parents at home before the groom arrives.  According to Chinese belief, this is done out of respect and to thank the bride’s parents for raising her.

The tea at this time does not need to have the lotus seeds or dates, and there’s no need for the bride to ask for an assistance of a “lucky woman”. She serves the tea by herself without the groom.

After the wedding ceremony, it is a tradition in China that the newlyweds serve tea by holding the tea cups with both hands. This is what signals the Chinese wedding tea ceremony.

During this event, the newlywed will invite the groom’s elders to drink tea by way of addressing them by formal title.  For example, first uncle and third aunt.

There is one general rule applied during the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, that is, to have the woman on the left side and the man on the right side. The people being served will sit in chairs, while the newlyweds kneel.

For instance, when they serve tea to the groom’s parents, the bride would kneel in front of her father in-law, while the groom would kneel in front of his mother.

It is further worth noting that the newlyweds serve tea in order.  The serving will start with the groom’s parents then proceeding from the oldest members of the family to the youngest.

In return, the newlyweds welcome lucky red envelopes that are stuffed with jewelry or money.  The helpers, who are usually women, are the ones who blessed with a happy marriage or wealth.

They are also chosen by the fortune teller or the bride’s mother, and they also get lucky red envelopes stuffed with money from those being served. The envelopes are usually placed on the platter which holds the Chinese wedding tea ceremony cups.

Well, China is obviously the homeland of tea. According to some Chinese tea history resources, it was in the southwest part of the country that the tea was first found.

Legend has it that the God of Agriculture (GoA) was said to be the one who found the tea. He was one of the prehistoric representatives of Chinese people. It was stated in the GoA’s Book of Herbs that GoA personally tasted hundreds of herb.

In the single day, he was hit by 72 poisons. But, he discovered the tea tree and used the tea leaves to neutralize all poisons. For many people, this is probably the earliest record of tea among the Chinese.

The Evolution of Chinese tea history

As often noted in some Chinese tea history resources, the Chinese tea has been around for thousands of years, approximately 4,000 years. It was first discovered and used as a medicine, and then it evolved into a beverage, and later became a major part of the Chinese culture.

Chinese Tea’s Infancy

Prior to 8th century B.C., the Chinese tea was used primarily as a medicine. Chinese tea history books noted that during the Chun Qiu Period (770 BC – 476 BC), the Chinese people chewed tea leaves and enjoyed the taste of tea juicy itself.

Tea Evolved into Food and Beverage

From 8th century onwards, the Chinese realized that the tea can be used as food and beverage. So, they started to cook tea like a soup. The tea leaves were eaten along with the soup. The Chinese teas were even blended with food.

Ancient Chinese tea history books documented that the tea during that time was even eaten and used with other spices for cooking.

Then, During the Qin, Han Dynasty (221 BC – 8 AD), simple processing of the Chinese tea began.  It was further documented in some of the Chinese tea history books that the tea leaves were that time pressed into ball shapes, dried and stored.

When served, the tea balls are crushed and mixed with green onion, ginger and other spices, and then blended in teapots. Note that this is actually the point where the Chinese tea turned from a medicine into a beverage. This period also marked the beginning of Chinese tea being used to treat guests.

As Part of the Chinese Culture

During the Jin Dynasty and Nan Bei Zhao (265 AD – 589 AD), the Chinese tea history evolved from a palace treat to a common beverage. Later, during the Tang Dynasty (618 AD – 907 AD), tea trading had become extremely busy. Lots of famous teas were then developed.

According to some Chinese tea history books, the tea was processed and circulated in the form of tea cakes in the Tang era. People started to get serious about making tea, and specialized tea tools emerged and tea books were published. The art of Chinese tea then started to take shape.

In the dawn of Song Dynasty, the tea was kept in the shape of balls and cakes. When served, it was crushed and boiled with seasoning material. However, as the drinkers became more particular, they paid more respect to the original color, taste and shape of the leaves. Seasoning then faded out and loose leaf tea began to take the center stage.

From the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) onward, the tea completed the process of moving from boiling to brewing. And, after Ming Dynasty, numerous types were invented. From then on, the art of Chinese tea history is perfected continuously, until today.

As you may know, tea by itself carries only four calories per serving, and it is most healthy when taken with nothing added.

According to some experts, the Chinese weight loss teas are produced based on the belief that the caffeine in tea increases body function to help burn more calories.  Also believed is that the tea contains polyphenols which seem to aid in the digestion of fat, truly making it a Chinese weight loss tea.

Generally, all types of Chinese tea are deemed great for weight loss. Chinese weight loss teas all offer a low calorie alternative to commercial beverages. However, the Pu-erh and Oolong teas have received the most attention regarding weight loss. Let’s take a look at these two well-known Chinese weight loss teas.

Pu-erh Chinese weight loss Tea

Although green tea has gotten all the press, the pu-erh teas are finally being enjoyed in the West. This is because many have believed that pu-erh, which is also known as “medicinal tea” in China, merits a place among the tea shelves of Americans.

Some of the pu-erh Chinese weight loss tea trees are said to be ancient, the oldest known tree is more than 2000 years old. Well, these trees are believed to be an older variety of the modern, being a smaller leafed tea Bush.

The leaves of this variety are processed differently than green tea leaves. They are usually oxidized similar to that of the oolong tea, but not as long as black tea. What happens is that the leaves are dried loose or compressed into tea bricks, tea cakes or Tuochas that look like a bird nests.

Well, for some people this Chinese weight loss tea in this state is a unique visual experience. Some of the tea cakes have been aged in caves just to develop their earthly flavor.

What makes pu-erh great for weight loss is that it helps to decrease blood cholesterol levels and improves fats metabolism. Also, it is thought that the unique double fermentation done with this acclaimed Chinese weight loss tea may create special enzymes and microbes that provide the body micronutrients essential for well-being.

Furthermore, one cup of pu-erh tea with each meal has shown to stimulate weight loss. It is said to balance the body’s systems and stimulate a more functional metabolism.

Oolong Chinese weight loss Tea

The Oolong tea is but a well-known variety of semi-fermented or oxidized tea.  It is particularly noted for its flowery and intense qualities. Accordingly, the Oolong ranges from bright green and slightly fermented to dark-leafed and hearty.

It is dried fully, locking in the rich flavors that this Chinese weight loss tea is known to offer. It is actually this unique drying process which allows oolong to possess a number of stimulating attributes and can be applied for weight management in addition to a well-balanced diet.

As mentioned, pu-erh and oolong teas are just two of the well-known Chinese weight loss teas.  Aside from green tea, black tea, compressed tea, and other varieties, these two Chinese weight loss tea kinds are now highly available for those who wish to attain weight loss and better health.

But, not anymore because today, everyone from chefs to medical researchers is praising the delicate flavor and purported health benefits of the Chinese white tea.

But what really is Chinese white tea?

Chinese white tea is sometimes considered as a subclass of green tea.   It is slightly fermented with its body covered with fluffy white hair.

It is usually harvested in the cold of earliest spring when tea bushes have just shed their protective scales on the tips of their branches to show to the world their fuzzy white down on the leaf buds.

These delicate buds are among the most carefully plucked and processed of all teas.   The buds, as well as the first few unfurling leaves are not allowed to oxidize whatsoever.

What happens is that immediately after picking, the buds are naturally dried in sunlight or inside under low heat in a very well-ventilated structure.

Unlike the oolong, black and pu-erh teas which undergo cellular oxidization to develop fragrance, color and flavor, most Chinese white teas are formulated with the absence of such processing step.

This then results in a beverage whose taste is closest to fresh leaves from the tea bush.

Classifications of Chinese white Tea

Just like the other varieties of Chinese tea, white tea is divided into different types. To mention, there are the Silver Tip white tea and White peony tea as two of the most commonly well-known varieties.  Let’s take a look at each of them:

Silver Tip White Tea –

This variety of Chinese white tea is produced at Fuding and Zhenghe areas in Fujian province.  Many tea drinkers consider this as a top grade white tea.  In the processing, the single buds are plucked right when they fully develop and are ready to open.

The beautifully acerose buds are covered with silvery hairs, hence the tea named “silver tip white tea”. Also, this Chinese white tea is taken as “the beauty” in teas.

Many tea lovers also describe this tea as “white like cloud, green like dream, pure like snow, aromatic like orchid”.   And, as commonly noted, every bud stands in the cup upright just like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, when infusing.

White Peony Tea –

Also known as “Pai Mu Dan”, this Chinese white tea variety is made from the buds and leaves that remain after the famous silver tip white tea has been harvested.  This is sweet and mild, yet very full-bodied.

Also, the cup color is darker and the aroma is bolder.  Its natural sweetness clearly determines the close relationship to the silver tip white tea.

Gong Mei –

This is the third grade of Chinese white tea.  The production of this tea uses leaves from the Xiao Bai or Small White tea trees.

Shou Mei –

This is a fruity furry Chinese white tea that is a chaotic blend of tips and upper leaf.  According to some Chinese tea drinkers, Shou Mei has a stronger flavor than other white teas, similar to oolong.  Also, it is the fourth grade of white tea and is plucked later than the White Peony, hence the tea may be darker in color.

Today, these varieties have reached America and many market researches predict that consumers will soon share their enthusiasm, turning the Chinese white tea into one of the hottest new food trends.

Types of Chinese Tea

The Chinese tea may be classified into five types according to the different methods by which it is processed.  Here are the classifications:

• Green Tea – is the variety which keeps the original color of the tea leaves without fermentation during processing.
• Black Tea – This is known as “red Chinese tea”, the type which is fermented before baking.   Note also that black tea is a later variety developed on the basis of the green tea.
• Wulong Tea – Also known as Oolong Chinese tea, this category represents a variety half way between the green and the black teas.  This is being made after partial fermentation.
• Compressed Tea – is the kind of Chinese tea which is compressed and hardened into a certain shape.  Many people considered this as good for transport and storage and are mainly supplied to the ethnic minorities living in the border areas of the country.
• Scented Tea – This kind of Chinese tea is known as “scented” because it is made by mixing fragrant flowers in the tea leaves in the course of processing.  The flowers that are commonly used for this purpose include the jasmine and magnolia, among others.

The Chinese Tea Production

Chinese has maintained that a new Chinese tea plant must grow for five years before its leaves can be picked.  The trunk of the old plant must then be cut off to force new stems to grow out of the roots in the following year.

This sort of rehabilitation must be repeated as this allows the tea plant to serve for about a hundred years. The season of tea picking generally depends on the local climate and it varies from area to area.

As you all know, China is the homeland of tea.  It has tea shrubs as early as five to six thousand years ago, and human cultivation of these plants dates back two thousand years.

Today, it was reported that tea is produced in vast areas of China from Hainan Island down in the extreme south to Shandong Province in the north, from Tibet in the southwest to Taiwan across the Straits. To sum up, the Chinese tea grows at more than 20 provinces.

On the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou, where the famous green tea Longjing comes from, it was reported that the picking starts from the end of March and lasts through October. A skilled woman picker can only gather 600 grams of these green tea leaves in a day.

After the harvest, the new leaves must be parched in tea cauldrons. Accordingly, this work has now been largely mechanized, although the top grade Longjing tea still has to be stir-parched by hand, doing only 250 grams every half hour.

Then, the tea cauldrons are heated electrically to a temperature of about 25 degree centigrade or 74 degree Fahrenheit.  It then takes four pounds of fresh Chinese tea leaves to produce one pound of parched Chinese tea.

For the processes of grinding, parching, rolling, shaping and drying, different kinds of machines have been developed and built. This work turned out about 100 kilograms of finished Chinese tea an hour, relieving the workers from much of their drudgery.

Speaking of tea making, it is interesting to know that there are some very important steps involved in tea making.   One of those is choosing the right Chinese tea set.

Choosing the right or appropriate tea sets is said to be very crucial in the tea preparation.   In particular, it holds a very vital role in brewing tea.

Now, what composes a Chinese tea set?

Basically, the Chinese tea sets are referred to as tea pots, tea saucers, tea bowls, and tea trays.  Today, there are different forms and types of Chinese tea sets that have certain characteristics and designs.   Because of this, the tea sets are considered a very necessary part of artistry.

Being highly valued, the Chinese tea sets are dedicated to the established tea culture in China.  They are actually divided into two categories.  The first refers to those that have high artistic value, while the second is those that are used in every day life.

I think it is quite understandable that those with high artistic value are commonly used in special tea ceremonies like a Chinese wedding ceremony. They are usually kept in beautiful cabinets and are proudly presented during a tea ceremony.

On the other hand, those that are used in every day life are just used plainly for that purpose.  As you may know, tea is a very vital part of every meal in China.

How to select the right Chinese tea sets and identify their use is not difficult.  Selecting Chinese tea sets for every day use largely depends on the types of the tea that people drink.  It even depends on where the people live.

For example, in the eastern as well as northern regions of china, the people usually drink floral teas, which are also considered as herbal teas.   Now, in drinking floral tea, the people commonly employ large tea pots to boil the tea in water.

According to some resources, these tea pots are ceramic, and their size depends on the number of people to be served. In the Kangnam area, it was reported that green tea is usually drunk.

It then follows that using a ceramic tea pot with a lid is very appropriate.   Then, in areas like Fujian, Taiwan and Guangdong, the people drink usually oolong teas, so they usually use a regular kettle to brew the tea.

Furthermore, when brewing Gongfu tea or Hong tea, experts suggest using a ceramic pot or a regular kettle.  Then, when drinking a high quality tea such as Xihu-long-jing, Jun-shan-yin-zhen, and Ton-ting-bilei-chun, clear glass cups are appropriate to use.

However, when drinking green tea or any tea that has fine leaves, choose a Chinese tea set that has small tea cups, as they are best to use than the large ones.  Well, the main reason for this is that when these teas are poured into large cup, there would be too much water.

High levels of water is said to brew fine leaves too fast, resulting in discolored tea leaves, and influencing the fragrance as well as taste of the tea.    Some people also use a thermos to keep the green tea warm, which affects the color and flavor of the tea.  It’s no wonder then that today, most of the Chinese tea sets include thermos on it.

Along with those mentioned items included in a Chinese tea set, there are also some tea plates, tea set cover cloths, tea spoons, tea trays, and tea brewing containers to complete the Set.