2015/12/22 - Gaëlle
The history of tea is a long story of love, through centuries, dynasties and continents. Just as there are books dedicated to the history of tea, you will find tea services and teapots in museums. This shows how tea is part of the tradition! If traditional accessories vary slightly from country to country, the fact remains that when we think of "traditional accessory", we rather imagine the pretty teapot ancestry rather than the electric tea heaters and D.E.L. lights!
Tea Boxes:
One must keep his tea somewhere! If today, individual packages are very common, it must be remembered that this is a fairly recent phenomenon. In yesteryear, one kept his tea leaves in a tin containers, lacquered wood, porcelain, ceramic - or even aluminum.
Gaiwan:
The Gaiwan is a typical tea accessory from China. In fact, there is a covered cup to better infuse the delicate teas (like white or green tea) than a teapot. The Gaiwan can be used for any type of tea, though. As the infusion container is less bulky, water also cools faster.
Yuzumashi:
This accessory is a Japanese classic. It can have a very simplistic look, a little like a gravy boat, but can also take an elegant or cute appearances in different materials and colors. Its role: to help cool the water after boiling, to arrive at the proper infusing temperature!
Chasen:
Halfway between the kitchen whisk and the garden rake, the Chasen is traditionally made of bamboo and used to whisk the matcha. In Japan, matcha has a range of traditional accessories: spoon matcha (chashaku), the appointed box (Natsume), and of course the chasen and the Tate Chasen, where one rests chasen.