Origins of Tea Culture in Fujian
The tea culture in Fujian can be traced back thousands of years, and it is one of the important tea production bases in China. Whether it is Wuyi Rock Tea, Anxi Tieguanyin, or Fuding White Tea, all of them are well known throughout the country and even the world. The way Fujian people make tea and the tea utensils they use have formed a unique style during the long development of tea culture.
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The main tea utensils used by Fujian people to make tea
teapots
When Fujianese make tea, teapots are essential. There are many types of teapots, made of ceramic, zisha and glass, but the most common are zisha and ceramic pots. Purple clay pots are popular among tea lovers for their good air permeability and heat preservation, while ceramic pots attract a lot of tea drinkers because of their various shapes and glaze colors.
lidded teacup
Gaiwan is another tea set commonly used by Fujian people for making tea. It consists of a bowl, a lid and a tray, which makes it very convenient to use, and is especially suitable for oolong teas such as Tieguanyin. The tea bowl can fully display the tea leaves in the water, making the tea aroma more intense.
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Tea Seas (Fairway Cups)
Tea sea, also known as fairness cup, is a kind of equipment used for fair distribution of tea. In the process of making tea, Fujian people will pour the brewed tea into the tea sea, and then divided into everyone's cup, so as to ensure that everyone drinks the same concentration of tea, reflecting the concept of "fairness".
teacups
Hokkien teacups are usually small, mostly made of porcelain or ceramic. Smaller teacups help to savor the aroma and flavor of the tea, avoiding drinking too much tea in one gulp and not being able to feel its subtleties.
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tea tray
A tea tray is a tool used to hold tea utensils. Hokkien tea trays are mostly made of wood or bamboo, which are both beautiful and practical. The design of the tea tray is usually simple and generous, and can easily collect the overflow of tea during the process of making tea.
tea strainer
A tea strainer is used to filter the tea leaves and is usually placed in the spout of a teapot or tea sea. A tea strainer ensures that the tea broth poured out is clear and free of impurities, allowing one to better savor the pure flavor of the tea.
Details of the tea making process in Fujian
The Hokkien tea-making process is meticulous, with each step having its own unique instructions. The first step is to warm the cup and pot, which helps to stimulate the aroma of the tea leaves. The amount of tea leaves used depends on the size of the tea set and the type of tea. The next step is to wash the tea, i.e. pouring the tea after a quick brew, a process that removes impurities from the surface of the tea leaves. Finally is the formal brewing, water temperature and time control is the key, in general, oolong tea needs to be brewed with boiling water, while green tea is suitable for 80-90 degrees Celsius hot water.
Cultural Connotation of Fujian Tea Ware
Fujian tea sets are not only unique in their practicality, but also have rich cultural connotations behind them. Purple clay pots are known as the "king of pots", and their production process is complex, requiring dozens of procedures. Ceramic tea sets reflect the rich ceramic culture of Fujian, from Dehua white porcelain to Jianyao black porcelain, each type of porcelain has its own unique charm. The bowl symbolizes the philosophical concept of "unity and difference", and the design of the three-piece set is both independent and interrelated, reflecting the harmonious relationship between man and nature, and man and man.
concluding remarks
The tea utensils used by the Fujianese for making tea are not only simple tea drinking tools, but also an important part of tea culture. Through these exquisite tea sets, we can feel the love of life and the inheritance of traditional culture of Fujian people. Whether it is a purple clay pot, ceramic bowl, or a small delicate teacup, each piece of tea set carries a rich history and cultural connotation. We hope that this article will give you a deeper understanding of Fujian's tea culture and tea making utensils, and we look forward to your personal experience of the beauty of Fujian's tea ceremony.
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