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Proper tea preparation includes several steps. Firstly, one must select an appropriate tea set, depending on a variety of factors. This is an aesthetic consideration, as well as a scientific one, because the proper brewing of the tea depends in part upon the utensils used in the process. So what elements are most proper in a Chinese tea set? Well, every good set includes tea bowls, a tea tray, tea saucers, and the brewing teapot. There is an art form at play here, and part of the brewing and drinking of tea is the enjoyment of the artistic elements of the various components of the tea set. Some Chinese tea sets are so highly crafted that they are extremely valuable, and reflect the storied tea culture in China. There are two main kinds of tea sets. The first is the sets used in everyday life, day in and day out for making tea. The second is the sets with great artistic value, which are generally used only in very special tea ceremonies, such as wedding ceremony. Often, these sets are kept on display in beautiful cabinets, and are only rarely brought out for actual use in a tea ceremony. Both sets, however, are considered part of the family, and even though a set may be used every day, it is still a vital part of the meal. The various regions of China specialize in different teas, and the best tea set to use will also vary by region. Depending on the kind of tea being brewed, a particular set might be more appropriate. For example, herbal teas and floral teas are consumed more frequently in the northern and eastern regions of China. Because floral teas generally use larger teapots to boil the water, people in these regions usually choose large teapots for daily use. Most commonly, these are ceramic pots, and they can be custom chosen to accommodate the number of people served at each meal. Green tea is more popular in the Kangnam region, so ceramic teapots with lids are more likely to be seen here. In other areas, such as Guangdong and Fujian, the favorite tea is oolong, and a regular kettle is often used for brewing. Either a ceramic pot or a regular tea kettle is suitable for brewing Hong or Gongfu teas. However, when drinking some of the high quality teas such as Ton-ting-bilei-chun, Jun-shan-yin-zhen, or Xihu-long-jing, using clear glass cups is considered most proper. Small tea cups are most appropriate for fine-leaf teas, rather than large cups. The reason is that large cups allow the ratio of water to tea to change, and the leaves will brew too quickly, discoloring the leaves and changing the fragrance and flavor of the resulting tea. Another interesting element is the addition of a modern thermos to the traditional tea set. Many people enjoy keeping green tea in a thermos, to enhance the flavor and color. You can find thermoses in many of the sets for sale today. Several other items may or may not be included in a Chinese tea set, including tea set cover cloths, tea plats, and trays. Some sets are rather large, but don't forget that often the more traditional, historical sets were quite simple, and don't assume that more is better. The storied tradition of drinking tea is time honored, so get yourself on the right path to proper tea drinking by buying a Chinese tea set for yourself soon. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Author Dugan Venfield contributes to several established web magazines, on anti aging products and health news subjects.
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