There are many accessories for drinking tea. The mug, the glass or even the tea bowl are widely used to drink an infusion of red, black, green or white tea. But tea cups remain the most widely used crockery in many countries around the world. There are different tea cup models: the porcelain tea cup or the ceramic cup, for example. Find out why and how to choose a tea cup.
What is a tea cup?
A tea cup is an accessory used for drinking tea. Unlike a simple glass, a cup is used to drink a hot beverage. Like a teapot, the tea cup therefore includes a handle to avoid burns. A tea cup can be used to drink an infusion or a coffee. Cups can be made from different materials, such as ceramic, single or double-wall glass, or porcelain. They are also distinct from mugs.
Tea cups are placed on a saucer. Their size and capacity are generally smaller than those of a mug or bowl. These products can be sold in sets or collections in the form of a tea service. You can also buy a tea cup individually.
What are the different types of tea cups?
There are many very different tea cups. The first characteristic of this object is its design and colors. Like the rest of your crockery, your tea cup is part of a particular tradition:
- English tea cups;
- Moroccan tea cups;
- Chinese tea cups, etc.
Depending on its influences, a tea cup will offer different colors (red, pink, black, white, etc.) and shapes. The material of the cup can also vary: stoneware, glass, porcelain or ceramic. Each tea cup corresponds to a different way of drinking your hot beverage.
Why drink your tea from a glass, porcelain or ceramic tea cup?
Between a mug and a glass, the tea cup is specially designed for drinking tea. Its smaller capacity helps keep your teas warm. Unlike a mug or a bowl, the tea cup is used in a moment of sharing. A teapot is placed at the center of the table, and guests' cups are refilled throughout the conversation.
Tea cups have the advantage of being used with saucers. The risk of spilling tea on your table is therefore negligible. A tea cup is also a decorative element in its own right. Many people choose to display their teapot and ceramic, glass or porcelain tea cups to their guests.
How to choose your tea cup?
To choose a tea cup, you need to determine your intended use. Ceramic cup models with a saucer are the most common. A porcelain or stoneware cup is perfect for your daily tea tasting or for entertaining guests. Choosing a glass tea cup allows you to see the remaining water level.
You can thus admire the color of your teas as you drink them. Are you tired of your infusion cooling down too quickly? You should choose a stoneware tea cup. Stoneware models keep teas warm for longer.
You can also opt for earthenware tea cups. Unlike porcelain, glass or stoneware, these models retain the aromas of teas. It is recommended to reserve each ceramic or earthenware tea cup for a single tea or herbal infusion.
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