Tea cups, like loose tea, come in a wide variety of designs and styles which range from elegant to plain white. They are mostly used when pouring tea during special tea time occasions since most cups that are purchased are collector items.
A tea cup set always makes a good gift idea for that special someone who is an everyday tea drinker.
At least that how it is in America where tea is much less consumed than coffee.
The cup is either made from porcelain or bone china. Porcelain cups are fired and glazed which gives the cup a slightly shiny appearance and holds the heat of the tea quiet well.
Bone china is almost the same as saying porcelain, and is even made the same way with the only difference being that bone ash material is mixed with the porcelain clay.
Normally a cup will hold around 8 ounces of tea and have a small handle towards the top giving enough room for a finger or two to slip through. Most are white in appearance, but many will come in different colors or have designs on them such as flowers or humming birds.
Some tea cups are very expensive while others are in a more consumer friendly range. This of course depends on the rarity and whether or not it is a collectors piece or made for strictly tea consumption.
A tea cup is also very easy to care for since it is small and easy to clean. Occasionally a cup will become discolored with tea residue and will need a good rinsing of hot water to remove the stain. Most tea cups are also dishwasher safe, but the more expensive collector items may not be.
Also, there is the tea bowl which is just like a tea cup with the absence of a handle. Tea bowls are very popular in Japan, and played a big part throughout Japan’s tea culture.
Some of these cups may also be a bit wider allowing for a better grip. They too make great gifts as a unique item for fellow tea drinkers.
