A guide to essential teaware

By CI&TI|17 February 2025

Teapots, pitchers, cups and trays each have a job. Knowing what they do makes it easier to choose a set that fits the way you drink tea.

You do not need everything at once. Most people start with a pot, a few cups and something to catch spills, and add pieces as their tea habits grow. This guide explains the classic pieces of a Chinese-style tea table and what to look for in each.

01
The teapot
The teapot is where the leaves open. Glass lets you watch the leaves and judge the colour of the tea; porcelain and glazed ceramic are neutral and easy to clean; unglazed clay slowly takes on the character of the tea you brew in it. For everyday use, choose a pot of 150–300 ml with a lid that sits firmly and a spout that pours without dripping.
02
The gaiwan
A gaiwan is a lidded bowl on a saucer. You brew in the bowl and pour through the gap under the lid. It is the most versatile brewing vessel there is, because you can smell the leaves, look at them and clean the bowl in seconds.
03
The sharing pitcher
Also called a fairness cup, the pitcher collects the whole infusion before you pour it into cups, so every cup has the same strength. It also stops the tea from over-steeping while you serve.
04
Cups
Small cups of 30–60 ml suit short, repeated infusions; larger mugs suit one long infusion. Thin porcelain feels light and shows the colour of the tea; double-walled glass keeps your fingers cool.
05
The tea tray
A tray, often bamboo or wood with a drainage top, catches the water used to warm the teaware and any spills. It also gives the table a calm, defined space for the ritual.
06
Infusers and filters
A fine-mesh or ceramic filter keeps leaves out of your cup. For loose leaves at a desk, a pot with a built-in filter is the simplest choice.
07
Portable sets
Travel sets pack a pot, cups and sometimes a small tray into one case, so you can make tea at the office, in a hotel room or outdoors. Check that the case protects glass and ceramics, and that the pieces are easy to dry before packing.
08
Choosing your first set
Think about who you drink tea with. For one, a pot with a filter or a compact travel set is enough. For two to four people, choose a set with a pitcher and four cups. For hosting, add a tray and enough cups for your table.