Tea Accessories
A great cup of tea starts with the right gestures, and the right tools. Cast iron teapots, porcelain mugs, washi tea caddies, herbal infusion pots, metal filters: each piece has its place in the ritual. Our selection brings together accessories that truly enhance the tasting experience: quality materials, artisan craftsmanship, objects made to last. From measuring to storing, from the morning teapot to the desk mug, find everything here that turns tea preparation into a moment worth savouring.
Choosing your tea accessories: a complete guide
From the bamboo chasen for whisking matcha to the Japanese cast iron teapot that holds the heat of your black tea, the world of tea accessories falls into six main families. Each category corresponds to a use, a type of tea, sometimes a ritual. Here is how we have organised things at Thés & Traditions.
Teapots, the heart of the ritual
The centrepiece of any preparation, the teapot adapts to the type of tea. The Japanese cast iron teapot (Tetsubin) brings out the best in black teas and oolongs thanks to its thermal inertia. The porcelain teapot respects the delicacy of green and white teas. The glass teapot lets you admire the dance of the leaves, ideal for floral teas and blooming teas. A selection to suit every use.
Cups, mugs and bowls, from everyday to ceremonial
Our largest collection covers every need: a mug with a built-in filter for the office, a fine porcelain cup for tasting, a matcha bowl (chawan) for the Japanese ritual, a double-wall cup that holds the heat without burning your fingers. Materials include porcelain, stoneware, borosilicate glass and handcrafted ceramic.
Tea caddies, preserving the aromas
Proper storage is what keeps your tea at its best over time. Our Japanese caddies (Chazutsu), our caddies wrapped in traditional washi paper and our metal tins all protect tea from light, moisture and outside odours. A selection designed to keep every variety in the best possible condition.
Tea infusers, one cup at a time
Whether you are brewing a single cup or a full teapot, an infuser is a practical essential. Metal infusers (food-grade stainless steel, reusable hundreds of times) or paper filters (disposable, handy for travel and finer blends). Choose based on your lifestyle.
Infuser cups, your self-contained brew
Cup, filter and lid in one: an infuser cup prepares a single serving without any extra equipment. Perfect for the office or the bedside table. Our models are available in porcelain, glass and ceramic.
Insulated bottles, your tea all day long
Take your tea wherever you go: our food-grade stainless steel insulated bottles keep the temperature for 6 to 12 hours. Some include a built-in filter so you can brew on the go, from compact pocket sizes to one-litre formats.
How to choose the right accessory for your tea?
By tea type
Each tea family has its own preferences:
- Green tea and white tea, fine porcelain or glass, low temperatures (70-80°C), short steeping times.
- Black tea and Pu-erh, Japanese cast iron or stoneware, which hold high temperatures (95-100°C) through long infusions.
- Oolong, a porcelain gaiwan or stoneware teapot, ideal for gong-fu cha with its many short steepings.
- Matcha, a wide bowl (chawan) and a bamboo whisk (chasen) are essential: there is no steeping here, the matcha is whisked directly into the water.
- Herbal infusions, a glass teapot or individual infuser, to enjoy the colour of flowers and fruit.
By how you brew
The right accessory also depends on the occasion:
- At home, a teapot for sharing, or a mug and cup for a quiet, unhurried tasting.
- At the office, an individual infuser or a mug with a built-in filter: simple and self-contained.
- On the go, an insulated bottle, ideal for long journeys or an active break.
- As a gift, a Japanese tea caddy or a handcrafted porcelain cup makes a lasting, thoughtful present.
By material
Each material has its own character:
- Enamelled cast iron, remarkable heat retention, exceptional durability, the go-to material for robust teas.
- Porcelain, flavour-neutral and elegant, it preserves the delicacy of finer teas.
- Borosilicate glass, a beautiful visual experience (perfect for blooming teas), and completely neutral.
- Stoneware and artisan ceramics, full of character, developing a rich patina over time, in true dialogue with the tea.
- Stainless steel, sturdy and hygienic, perfect for bottles and filters.
Selected by Julien Huot, tea expert at Thés & Traditions
« A great accessory doesn't show up in the cup, it's felt. The cast iron teapot that holds heat without altering the tea, the washi box that preserves aromas for weeks, the metal filter that never distorts the flavour: it's in the quietness of the object that the quality of the tea reveals itself. »
Frequently asked questions about tea accessories
What is the most important accessory for brewing tea well?
The teapot remains the central accessory for a great cup of tea. It determines heat distribution, the space leaves have to unfurl, and ultimately the aromatic quality of the brew. Choosing a teapot suited to your favourite type of tea is the single most rewarding investment you can make for your everyday tasting experience.
Cast iron or porcelain teapot: which should you choose?
It all depends on the tea. Cast iron, with its high thermal mass and ability to hold heat for a long time, is ideal for black teas, Pu-erh, and darker Oolongs that call for sustained high temperatures. Porcelain, neutral and fine, respects the delicacy of green, white and floral teas that are best brewed at lower temperatures.
How do you care for a Japanese cast iron teapot?
An enamelled cast iron teapot (Tetsubin) is simple to maintain: rinse with hot water after each use, dry thoroughly before storing, and never use detergent, which can soak into the material. The uncoated cast iron exterior may develop a slight oxidation over time, which is perfectly normal and part of the patina. A well-cared-for teapot can last for decades.
Should you have a different teapot for each type of tea?
Ideally, yes. A teapot retains the aromatic memory of the teas brewed in it, especially unglazed stoneware teapots (Chinese Yixing), which gradually absorb the essential oils of the tea. In practice, though, most tea lovers get along perfectly well with two: one for black and darker teas, one for green and white teas.
What is the best container for storing loose-leaf tea?
Tea has four enemies: light, moisture, air, and odour. A good storage tin should be opaque (or kept away from light), airtight, and made from a neutral material. Metal (tinplate, pewter), opaque ceramic and thick washi paper are the best choices. Avoid clear glass and plastic.
Metal filter or paper filter: which is better?
A food-grade stainless steel filter can be reused hundreds of times, is cost-effective in the long run, and gives whole leaves the room they need to fully open. Paper filters are disposable, handy when travelling, and well suited to finely cut blends or powders (rooibos, herbal infusions). Many tea enthusiasts keep both on hand for different occasions.
What accessories make a good gift for a tea lover?
A cast iron teapot by a Japanese artisan, a washi-wrapped tea caddy, or a hand-crafted ceramic matcha bowl (chawan) make truly memorable gifts. Look for pieces built to last, because a beautiful teapot becomes part of daily life for years to come.
Sources: Tea Association of the USA (care & storage), AFNOR NF ISO 3720 (tea quality standards), Japanese Tetsubin tradition (Iwachu, Tokoname).
Our T&T Selection: Artisans, Materials, Durability
At Thés & Traditions, every accessory is chosen according to three strict criteria: the quality of the material, the craftsmanship behind it, and how well it fits the tea ritual. No gimmicks, no unnecessary plastic, no anonymous mass production.
Japanese Cast Iron Teapots: the Tetsubin Tradition
Our cast iron teapots come from Japanese workshops in the Morioka and Tokoname regions, where iron casting is still worked by hand using techniques unchanged since the Edo period. Enamel-coated interiors protect against oxidation, while the exterior features hand-chiselled designs (traditional arare, plain or floral motifs). A well-cared-for cast iron teapot will last for generations.
Washi Boxes: the Art of Japanese Paper
Washi paper is handmade from mulberry bark (kozo), a Japanese tradition recognised on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Our washi-covered tea caddies bring together Japanese aesthetics and practical function: airtight, perfectly opaque, and built to last.
European and Japanese Porcelain
Our selection spans the great porcelain traditions: Limoges (France), Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom), and Arita and Mino (Japan). Fine, light-translucent pieces, neutral on the palate, and ideal for green and white teas where aromatic purity matters most.
Wood, Bamboo, Natural Fibres
Bamboo tea spoons, wooden saucers, sasa trays: our serving accessories favour renewable natural materials. A zen aesthetic, a soft feel in the hand, and lasting durability.
Why We Choose Every Piece
We test each accessory in real conditions before adding it to our catalogue. A mug should retain heat without burning your fingers; a teapot should pour without dripping; a caddy should seal shut. Our goal is simple: the object should serve the tea, not the other way around.
Our customers talk about us