In tea culture, tea pets are not only the embellishment of tea ceremony, but also the interesting companion when tasting tea. They have different forms, some naive, some auspicious, and the most surprising is that those who can change the color of the tea pet with the temperature change. This article will take you to understand the scientific principles and cultural significance of color changing tea pets.
Principle of Tea Pet Color Change
Tea pets are usually able to change color because they are made of a special temperature-sensitive material. This material changes color when it encounters liquids of different temperatures. For example, some tea pets will become colorful when doused with hot water and return to their original color when cooled. This temperature-sensitive color-changing effect is mainly due to the addition of chemical components to the material that can change the molecular structure with temperature changes.
Color-changing Tea Pets
The production of color changing tea pets involves a variety of processes, one of which is the addition of temperature sensitive color changing powder to the resin material. These tea pets maintain a color in normal times, but when tea is poured over them, the change in temperature triggers the color change. Another process involves coating the surface of the tea favor with a chemical material that produces a color change when exposed to heat in order to achieve the color changing effect.
Safety of Tea Pet Discoloration
There are different opinions about the safety of color changing tea pets. Some people are concerned that the chemicals in tea pets may release harmful substances at high temperatures, and therefore advise against using color-changing tea pets for tea. However, there is also the view that this color change is a physical change and that the chemicals are not harmful. Nevertheless, in order to be safe, it is recommended that color changing tea pets be used only as ornaments and toys, not in direct contact with tea.
The Cultural Significance of Tea Pets
Tea favor is not only the decoration on the tea table, but also the carrier of tea culture. They have a variety of shapes, rich in meaning, such as three-legged golden toad symbolizes fortune, braves symbolize evil attracting wealth, turtle symbolizes prolonged life and so on. Color-changing tea pets add a mysterious and dynamic change of interest, so that the tea experience more vivid.
How to choose and care for tea pets
When selecting a tea pet, in addition to considering its color-changing properties, you should also pay attention to its material, workmanship and shape. Maintenance of tea pets need patience and care, daily tea can be gently poured, so that it gradually become warm. For color-changing tea pets, due to its special production process, should avoid prolonged immersion or the use of too hot water temperature, so as not to affect its color-changing effect and service life.
The phenomenon of tea pets changing color is a product of the combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, which not only enriches the tea culture, but also brings more fun and imagination to tea lovers. While enjoying the visual surprises brought by tea pets, it also gives us a deeper understanding and respect for this ancient culture.
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