Japanese tea cups have long been a special present for any tea enthusiast inside and outside Japan. Quality Japanese tea cups are expertly crafted by a master potter using the finest clays and the most delicate glazes. A professional artisan will carefully consider every element of a teacup, including how it fits in hand, its form, size, and texture. Even though it can appear archaic to younger generations, drinking tea can occasionally be a tranquilizer experience. Suppose you’re trying to find sipping glasses explicitly made for sale. Then choose the best Japanese sake set that is typically used for sake consumption.
To improve Japanese tea’s flavor, aroma, and appearance, choosing the ideal teacup is essential. Let’s examine how to pick the best Japanese tea cups now.
A Quick History of Japanese Tea
The 9th century was the first mention of tea in Japan. Japanese priests and envoys who traveled to China to study Chinese culture and customs returned with tea and tea seeds. China’s importation of sources was caused by the rule of Emperor Saga (786–842), and tea plant development in Japan flourished. Sen no Rikyu (1522–1591), arguably the most well-known tea master in Japan, standardized and disseminated the art of tea through the tea ceremony in the 16th century. Rikyu successfully embodied Wabi-sabi by utilizing imperfect matcha bowls that were occasionally broken and repaired and were made of stoneware or earthenware.
Small-scale porcelain cups for sencha and gyokuro, as well as more compact teaware, were introduced in the 18th century with the rise of sencha (loose leaf green tea) and the sencha do tea ritual. Many teacups still bear the legacy of the two different kinds of Japanese tea ceremonies today.
Japanese Tea with the Five Senses
A Japanese teacup serves many more purposes besides serving hot beverages. It is vital to the experience of tasting tea since it preserves the memories of historical tea customs. Our five senses—sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste—are also stimulated by it.
Sight is the first sense to be affected. Is the teacup aesthetically pleasing? How do its color and shape make us feel? Is it flimsy, elegant, or rustic? How do we then interpret the tea’s color, density, and texture inside the cup?
The sound of a teacup is also essential, then. Have you ever heard the sound that teacups make when they are stacked? The best porcelain creates an enchanting melody that is very subtle and delicate. Have you ever heard of hot tea in a clay teacup brewing? Did you know that 93% of individuals can tell the difference between hot and cold water serving it being put into a container while doing so?
Another fascinating aspect of sipping tea is the feel of the teacup. How does the feel of your hands feel? And how would you describe the sensation of your lip rim?
Since the aroma of the tea could be more robust with a more miniature teacup, the sense of smell is also engaged. The tea can now be tasted and sipped from the teacup. Would it taste different if offered in a more giant, shabby teacup? Or perhaps in a more little and elegant teacup?
Chawan or Yunomi: Which is the shape of a Japanese teacup?
A chawan, which is Japanese for “tea bowl,” has a curved bottom and an unglazed foot. More giant bowls for matcha are occasionally referred to as matchawan, whereas smaller bowls for sencha or gyokuro are frequently termed senchawan. They could have a capacity of 2 oz (40 ml) to 7 oz (200 ml) of tea (gyokuro tiny porcelain teacups) (matcha bowl).
Powdered tea is prepared and consumed at a tea ceremony in large matcha bowls. They have enough width to accommodate whisking matcha tea with a chasen, a traditional bamboo whisk. The article 19 Essential Japanese Tea Ceremony Utensils includes more information on chosen and the other objects you might use during a tea ceremony.
A vigorous whisking motion inside the large bowl is required to make frothy matcha tea. However, the traditional matcha bowl’s sturdy ceramic automatically controls the hot water temperature as it is put in, preventing the fine tea particles from being burned.
The Japanese term for the object, oyu wo nomu dogu, which translates to “a utensil used for drinking hot water,” is where the word yunomi () originates. They are typically cylindrical, with a twisted foot, and hold 3 to 5 ounces (90 to 150 milliliters) of tea.
Yunomi is associated with ordinary life and is frequently seen as less formal. Yunomi is made without handles, unlike tea cups from the West. They are ideal for warming hands while indulging in exquisite tea flavor.
Yunomi is frequently sold in groups of five or in pairs. Meoto yunomi consists of two cups: the wife’s cup is smaller, and the husband’s cup is more significant. This kind of yunomi, called meoto, which means “married couple,” is a beautiful gift frequently given at weddings.
For a better cup of tea, we firmly advise selecting your tea cups based on your individual preferences. Ninja Kitchen Market is the most acceptable option if you’re looking for Japanese kitchenware. A group of Japanese chefs, home cooks, sommeliers, and restaurateurs administer this establishment. We collaborate with various reliable suppliers to provide a large selection of high-quality Japanese cookware.
