Best Japanese Tea Set Reviews 2018

Good Japanese tea sets abound in the market and they come in a wide price range; somewhere between $11 and $80. Why the disparity in price, you may wonder? It’s the same reason other products don’t come at the same price; factors of production. These factors include the material the product is made of, the features it comes with, the brand that made the product and endorsements, as well as shipping from its country of manufacture.

Recently, bamboo is becoming popular as a material for the production of several kitchen utensils and house wares. Bamboo products are generally inexpensive and so are the Japanese tea sets made with this material. There are high end porcelain sets that have different artistic and calligraphic designs; these sets are usually more expensive than the plain ones. If you’re looking to purchase a tea set with celebrity endorsement, then you have to be prepared to pay more than you would for a regular set.

Although we came across some cheap Japanese tea sets, we don’t advise you to spend your money on them. Some may crack when you pour hot liquid into them, others are not coated with food grade enamel, while others are made with inferior material that won’t last long. It’s best you invest in a good quality set once and for all.

There are myriads of Japanese tea sets on the market today, in many sizes and shapes. In making a choice of which one is best for you, you have to know what you’re looking for.

The features of the set determine its performance and value. Here are some aspects to always consider:

• Material – The material the tea set is made of is important because it determines the aesthetics, durability and functionality
• Pieces in a set – This refers to how many teacups, and accessories are included with the teapot and whether it comes with a trivet
• Size of the set – This speaks of the capacity of the set
• Type of filter/Tea infuser – This affects how well the tea steeps
• Design – This covers the shape, color and other things that have to do with the aesthetics of the set
• Ease of maintenance and care – This refers to how easy it is to clean the set

Let’s discuss these features fully and explore the benefits derived from them.

As with regular tea sets, Japanese tea sets are made of porcelain, clay, cast iron or glass, and recently bamboo too! While we can’t categorically say that teapots affect the integrity and taste of the tea brewed in it, it is interesting to note that the Japanese believe it does!

If you take a little time to read about Japanese tea ceremony, you’ll discover there’s a best teapot for different types of tea. Let’s give you a brief summary. It’s believed by the Japanese that porcelain is a versatile material that allows you to brew any type of tea because it doesn’t retain the aroma and taste of the tea. Clay, on the other hand, they say contributes to the taste of the tea and enhances some of its properties. The reason is that clay contains high quantities of iron that reacts chemically with the tannins in the tea leaves.

Well, unless you’re purchasing a tea set for an elaborate Japanese tea ceremony, you just need to concern yourself with which material conducts and retains heat better, which one lasts longer and which one is easy to clean and maintain. However, if you’re interested in the interplay between material of teapot and taste of the tea, you might have to consult an expert on the subject.

Porcelain tea sets are more delicate than cast iron or clay so it goes without saying that they are not as sturdy or durable as the others. Aesthetics wise, porcelain is usually more elegant than cast iron or clay and if you know that you’re a careful person and are concerned about the aesthetics of your set, then that’s the best material for you.

For those who may not be too careful or may have children or the elderly using the tea set, the best bet is cast iron. Although they may not look as elegant as a porcelain set, there are many beautifully designed ones on the market.
Clay has the highest heat retention and is not as fragile as porcelain but remember as mentioned earlier that it impacts on the taste and properties of your tea.

If you’re an avid tea drinker, you wouldn’t appreciate a small tea set with cups that offer only two mouthfuls. So an essential feature to consider is the capacity of the set. Although no tea set comes with mug-size cups, there are those that have tea cups that allow you to savor your tea without needing more than two cups at a go. Small tea sets on the other hand would be ideal for introducing your friends or family to the pleasures of tea. Those itty bitty cups that contain only two mouthfuls allow the users to try out different types of tea without being overwhelmed.

Teapots usually come with inbuilt filters and some sets also have tea infusers or strainers. The type of filter in the teapot determines the type of tea it is best suited for. Before purchasing your Japanese tea set, it’s advisable for you to read reviews on how the filter works or what type it is. Know your favorite tea and the type of infuser and filter that brings out the best of the brew.

You also need to consider how many people you expect to use the tea set for. There’s hardly any tea set that has extra teacups sold separately, so look for the set with enough pieces to suit your purpose. If you entertain often and constantly use your tea set, you might have to get more than one set.

Cleaning and maintaining the tea set is very important so you need to look for one that’s easy to clean. Some sets have teacups that are dishwasher safe while others are recommended to be washed by hand only. Porcelain and cast iron tea sets are easier to wash than clay tea sets. The trick to maintaining your tea set is rinsing it out with hot water immediately after use. Don’t allow it to sit for long after you’ve emptied the content. Also, remember to leave it out in a ventilated place to allow it dry out and leave the lid off the teapot until it’s dry.