Tea Set Recipes Food Cooking International Guide
Afternoon Service With A Tea Set
By Fiona Harker
A tea set is a tea service that normally includes, at the minimum,
a tea pot and tea cups and might also come with a creamer, an
infuser, a strainer, spoons, and a sugar bowl.
Tea sets come in a wide variety of materials, styles, and colors,
and in price ranges from very affordable to high-end limited edition
sets as well. In addition, you may want to choose a delicate miniature
set or a child set and these are also available in an almost limitless
variety to chose from.
Design Of A Tea Set Captures Heart And Imagination
One primary reason that tea sets are considered so attractive
and desirable is that they are created in such a way that the
designs seem to easily capture one’s heart and imagination and
often bring to mind good memories of happy times shared with family
and friends.
However, it should be noted that tea sets, whether they are the
standard variety or on a miniature scale, are not just great for
the next afternoon tea party or quiet gathering of friends. Such
sets are not only fully functional, but can also be exquisite
decorative items that can add a special touch to your China cabinet,
display shelves, or curio cabinets.
Popular Collectors Items
In many different parts of the world, tea is a fundamental part
of everyday life, and tea drinking has become an art to some.
Because of this, and the influences of the various cultures and
traditions, the designs will make a tea set from one country quite
unique from one from any other country and this factor makes tea
sets very popular as a collector’s item, and makes them
interesting and exciting to collect.
Of course, people often think first of Britain with their formal
tea times when thinking of anything related to tea. There are,
indeed, a vast range of tea sets that reflect the British taste
and culture. But the even older history of tea drinking goes back
to the Asian culture.
Lacquer Tea Sets
Lacquer tea sets were first used in China’s Qing Dynasty and
primarily made in Fuzhou area of the Fujian Province. Various
styles of lacquer sets were created and some are known as glazed
spun gold, shining treasure sands, and carved and painted with
silver-embedded. When new techniques were developed, such as adding
red gold dust and carved patterns of trees and flowers, the tea
sets became more colorful and unique.
In rural areas of Asia, bamboo and wooden tea sets were common
because they were inexpensive to make but were very good quality.
While such sets were popular in the past, they are seldom used
today, making them a highly valued collectible item if they are
in good shape.
Tea Sets Made From Agate, Crystal And Jade
In China there is also a history of making tea sets of agate,
crystal and jade, but because they were expensive and hard to
make, they were not practical for daily use. However, these tea
sets were regarded as luxury items and showed off their owners’
wealth, and today are sought after by collectors.
Anyone who really loves tea will always enjoy receiving a beautiful
tea set as a thoughtful gift, and will probably enjoy adding it
to their collection of unique sets. Tea sets seem to have a quality
about them that evokes thoughts of far off places and helps us
to review and remember quality times shared with family and friends.
About the Author:
Fiona Harker has written a number of articles on tea and food
including Tea
Bags, Green
Tea, White
Tea,
Tea Maker, Tea
Kettle.
Keep a lookout for more articles on this website.
Did You Know?
What is a tea set?
A tea set can be comprised of a number
of different pieces that all relate to the tea drinking
experience.
The basic set will have a tea pot, designed for serving tea to
guests, and at least two tea cups, which most likely come with
matching saucers as well.
In addition, a tea set may include a creamer, a sugar bowl, a
spoon rest, a strainer, an infuser, tea spoons and possibly even
a set of tong for picking up sugar cubes.
In addition to the standard tea sets, there are also miniature
tea sets, which are fully functional. All types of tea sets come
in many different designs, shapes and colors and are very
collectible.
|
