Tea Cups

Tea cups are used to serve and enjoy tea, with size, shape, material, and thickness affecting aroma, temperature, and the feeling of each sip. Small cups are often used for tasting and repeated infusions, while larger cups are suited for everyday drinking and longer tea sessions.

Types of Tea Cups

  • Gongfu Tea Cup - Small cup used for short, repeated infusions, allowing close attention to aroma, texture, and flavor
  • Tasting Cup - Compact cup used to evaluate tea clearly, often during focused tasting or comparison sessions
  • Aroma Cup - Narrow cup used to appreciate fragrance before drinking, commonly paired with Taiwanese oolong tea
  • Porcelain Tea Cup - Smooth, neutral cup that preserves the clarity of the tea and works well with many tea types
  • Ceramic Tea Cup - Versatile cup with more weight and texture, often used for daily tea drinking
  • Glass Tea Cup - Transparent cup that shows the color and clarity of the tea, suited for all types of teas
  • Clay Tea Cup - Unglazed or partially glazed cup that may soften the texture of tea over time, often used with oolong or pu’er
  • Yunomi - Japanese everyday tea cup, usually taller than it is wide, commonly used for sencha, bancha, and hojicha
  • Matcha Bowl - Wide bowl used for whisking and drinking matcha, shaped to allow movement of the whisk and a smooth foam

Choosing a Tea Cup

  • Size - Smaller cups are suited for concentrated infusions, while larger cups work well for single servings
  • Material - Porcelain and glass are more neutral, while ceramic and clay bring more texture and warmth
  • Shape - Wider cups release aroma quickly and cool the tea faster, while narrower cups hold fragrance and heat longer
  • Thickness - Thin cups feel delicate and precise, while thicker cups retain heat and feel more substantial in the hand
  • Brewing Style - Gongfu brewing usually uses smaller cups, while Western-style brewing is often served in larger cups

Best Tea Cups by Tea Type

  • Green Tea - Porcelain, glass, or Japanese yunomi cups
  • Black Tea - Porcelain or ceramic cups with enough volume for a full serving
  • Oolong Tea - Small gongfu cups or aroma cup sets for repeated infusions
  • Pu’er Tea - Small clay, ceramic, or porcelain cups suited for concentrated brewing
  • White Tea - Glass or porcelain cups that show color and preserve delicate aromas
  • Herbal Tea - Larger ceramic or glass cups for relaxed, longer drinking

Care and Use

  • Rinse cups with warm water before use to help maintain the tea’s temperature
  • Avoid strongly scented soaps on porous or unglazed clay cups
  • Use separate unglazed clay cups for similar tea types when possible
  • Let delicate cups cool before washing to avoid sudden temperature changes
  • Store cups where they can dry fully between uses

Next Steps

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