Okay so now you have purchased a small amount of tea to try so what is next? Having the right cup is huge on making sure your spot of tea experience is perfect.Now, grasshopper, you must learn about tea Tea Cupcups, saucers, mugs or infuser mugs. And you thought choosing the right tea was difficult to learn. Let's begin with the simple tea cup and its accompanying saucer.Tea Cups and SaucersAs with tea, the first tea cups and saucers came from China and were imported to Europe during the 17th century which in turn decided to improve on the design and materials used.There are many different types of tea cups available today. The most used tea cups tend to lean toward the traditional afternoon tea cup. The traditional afternoon tea cup is either footed or flat. The footed version usually comes with a matching saucer and can be used for either tea or coffee. It actually will fit in the saucer which has an indented area made specially for that purpose.Flat tea cups also normally are accompanied by a matching saucer but are flat on its bottom instead of fitted as the footed version is. Flat tea cups can also be used for tea or coffee.Deciding on porcelain or chinaMany tea cups manufactured today are either porcelain or china and both are used for tea parties or tea socials. The Vintage Tea Cupdifference between the two can be quite dramatic as one takes the time to handle and inspect each one individually. First is porcelain and this type of tea cup is fired, then it is glazed and finally re-fired again. It makes a very refined tea cup with often detail designs which are generally very dainty.The next classification for tea cups would be china and actually bone china. Although very similar to porcelain in construction there is a marked difference in that fine ground bone ash is added to the clay mixture. Bone china is stronger china and is a very pale white.A cousin to the bone china should be mentioned here and that would be fine china or sometimes known as fine ivory china. This type is very similar to bone china but often has additional treatments done during firings that will add strength.Now that you have an understanding of the differences between porcelain and the other fine chinas it is time to journey on to a different type of cup.Stone and EarthenwareNot as well known asJapanese Tea Cup its porcelain and china cousins. Being a lower cousin stone or earthenware is heavier than any of its cousins and is not made of porcelain or any of the chinas' at all. Another drawback is that stone or earthenware is not dainty at all and most tea parties will frown upon its use. Often made without a handle at all and more for placing both hands around the sides of the cup it is more popular in eastern countries.The choice is yours whether you are looking for something dainty, traditional or more earthy. Any of the choices are designed to enlighten your tea experience and so, grasshopper, you only have to choose one.
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As with teas, the first tea cup and saucers came from China and were imported to Europe during the 17th century which in turn decided to embellish on the design and materials used.
This article is written by Sandra M. Morris of Silver Needle White Tea and she hopes that you will begin the journey to find just how teas can benefit you and your health.
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