Cha Bei -- 茶杯: Tea, Chinese style, a social indulgence (Part One)

For me, tea Chinese style is above all else, a social indulgence.
Even as a party of one, it is enjoyable and beneficial.
Drinking tea (20+ yrs) all over south east Asia and China has afforded me this viewpoint.
Often language and perceived differences, off-put westerners from getting involved in Chinese tea preparation and serving, thus ultimately missing out on one of life’s simple pleasures.

So to that end I'll keep this in plain English and avoid unfamiliar terms.
At first, tools, paraphernalia and process look alien, complicated, unfathomable, somewhat fascinating and different from what is understood in western tea processes.
First principle: Take your time, DO NOT Hurry the process.
Keep in mind, “It’s only tea, just that, tea, add hot water and serve.”
Preparation, Organization and practice, practice, practice, “The more I practice the luckier I get” (Gary Player, S. African sportsman)

Preparation; gain as much information as you deem necessary. Read, visit tea shops, observe and talk with people.
Once you have a general understanding of equipment, usages and process, proceed and acquire the requisite “stuff”. It’s all about personal taste, there are NO tea policemen. (Other than your taste buds and budget.)

Before we get into: tea preparation and serving, let's look at the toys: ..

Central to all this is an area to make/serve tea: Tea table, simple bowl, specialty serving box, even a towel on the floor will suffice.
Simple bowl that holds a teapot and cup on a small tea towel. A slightly larger wooden bowl is read to use.

Simple, self contained bamboo lidded box.

Our well used travel kit, box is deep to hold other needed stuff

This design (still in the store ).. not my taste but it offers a lot in a convenient package.. Extremely attractive hand craved tray that simply rests on a table.

Custom build tea table with inset tray, table hides a built in waste water container.

The tea table is your stage, size and aesthetics need to please you. Basic requirements are: an even surface to place cups pots etc while you make tea. The surface has to facilitate water drainage.
Tongs, the only tool I deem as a necessity. (improvise, chopsticks etc) but the central function must be embraced. Use tongs to manipulate drinking cups during cleansing. As you develop your individual style, tongs can be put to many uses.
Straight, curved, dark, light, bamboo, exotics .. all a personal choice and what works for you.
Please avoid metal, they fight with the clay/porcelain/ceramics of the cups and pots.

Other tools: a pick and powder tea spoons/scoop. The pick is used to clear obstructions from: teapot spouts, filter holes etc .. wood / bamboo are best. Small scoop, no real role in the process, can be used to help get spent leaves out of the teapot ....

Scoops: you will ultimately adopt one as your favorite. (more later) A common spoon can be substituted or a shake from your tea container / caddy. GET A Scoop. (sometimes referred to as a: Tea Shovel).

Bamboo mats and hand brush(s), again various sizes and colours, serve a variety of functions. A small brush can be used to help clean up the table, move water along. The mats can be used over the slots/holes on a tea table to help filter the flow of spent water. Tools come as individuals or in sets .. many to pick from ... NB: the "rings" that help contain the tools on some sets can be used as a "funnel" to help guide dry tea into teapots (see later)

Tea mat - coaster, cloth to high end hand carved exotics. A practical way to show some style.

Tea strainer, ceramic with fabric inserts tend to last and stay cleaner, inexpensive ones need to be replaced periodically.

Tea towel, you will spill, so get a few. (I have a lot!)

Tea and storage: light and air are the to be avoided. Keep your teas in and opaque air tight container. As simple as using a clamp on the original package. Note the small single serving containers. A good tea shop will repack for you. NB: Pu-erh requires air circulation.

Example of clamps and various sized packaging options.

Cups, various sizes and shapes .. personal style (will vary with experience)

Cups, Matched pair (by volume) a nice way to involve others in part of the process (more later)

Serving Jug: used to serve tea into cup(s)

Teapot, used to infuse tea .. various types made from "Purple Clay" in various colours.

Tea Caddy, these are for Pu-erh teas and allow the tea to breath

Kettles, many options to choose from, be piratical and have an eye to safety.
Glass, a good pratical way to go. This is the set up I use in China. It employes heating via Induction, a much safer alternative to open flame or "hotplate"