There’s no party like a tea party! We can feel every tea enthusiast nod in affirmation.
Getting your guests home for a round of tasty and aromatic tea laced with a healthy dose of antioxidants is a surefire way to raise spirits and lift the mood.
One often overlooked utensil that plays a crucial role in such tea-fueled reunions is the tea tray.
Every tea situation can benefit from a chic and versatile tea tray. Whether you are serving matcha to your long lost cousins or sharing some ginseng with your partner in bed, you need one.
Thanks to the extensive tea culture spread out across peoples; you get to choose from a varied assortment of trays. Like every other piece of teaware, tea trays are available in several material types design and with different special features.
You can get the regular plastic trays, steel or other metal options, any from an eye-catching selection of wood types, or even a high-end piece carved out of stone.
Tea Tray Materials
Plastic
Whatever you can make with wood or metal can be reproduced in plastic. Plastic offers a cheap way to make lightweight trays that can power all your tea parties. Plastic is less expensive than other material options, and this is both a pro and a con.
Depending on your aesthetic preferences, plastic may look too cheap for you. Plastic also tends to be quickly affected by heat. Hence, a hot ceramic teacup may leave an imprint. Plastic is super easy to clean. However, the material is prone to scratching.
Metal
You can opt instead for metal trays that include steel, copper, and brass options. Metal trays can feature a single metal plate or a mesh of close-packed metal stripes. Metal trays often have shiny, glossy or matte finishes. Depending on their quality, metal trays can look quite stylish or downright bland.
Durability-wise, with metal trays, you never have to worry about cracking or breaking. However, you must ensure that your dish is adequately reinforced to make it corrosion-proof.
Stone
For a truly unique aesthetic, pick up a stone tray. These trays typically feature handcrafting from marble, granite, or agate. Their unique design and often asymmetrical cuts create an eye-catching spectacle and are sure conversation starters.
However, stone trays are typically heavier than other options, and they usually cost significantly more.
Wood
In many tea-drinking spheres, wooden trays are the preferred option for serving tea. Wooden tea trays can feature a variety of materials that include bamboo, teak, white oak, lignum vitae, cedar, ebony, mahogany, redwood, and cocobolo.
Wooden trays provide a wide variety of styles and options, and they come in colorful designs. However, wood or bamboo trays without a plastic/metal tray or a drainage hole tend to leak, especially the cheaper ones. Also, the tops of more inexpensive wood trays is often prone to cracking over time.
Other Factors to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Tea Tray
Shape and Design
With tea trays, presentation is everything. Hence, you should make sure to select a design and shape that matches your aesthetic preferences and your home decor.
Also, remember to check for ergonomics: how many handles, handle location, and how easy the tray is to hold.
Heat Resistance
Since you are always serving tea hot, you should pay particular notice to how your tea tray conducts heat. You also do not want a flimsy plastic or woodcut that is easily warped by warmth. Heat resistance is particularly essential if you will be brewing or carrying your teapot on the tray. To combat heat conduction, you could also use a tea towel or coasters under each item.
Water Resistance
Depending on how often you plan on getting it wet, you may want to opt for a tray with enhanced water resistance or one that has a draining component.
Virtually all softwoods like bamboo will degrade when exposed to large amounts of water repeatedly unless the manufacturer reinforces them with epoxy. Properly finished hardwoods like mahogany offers way more protection and will hold their own as long as they are not left continuously in water. Steel and plastic are entirely water-resistant.
Anti-slip
The texture of the inside of your tray also matters a great deal. You don’t want your teacups and other utensils sloshing around whenever you move your plate. Hence, you should opt for a tray with a texture that keeps items in place.
Some trays feature special non-slip interior inserts that provide enhanced grip for the bottom of your mugs.
Maintenance
Before making a splurge on that eye-catching statement piece, you should consider how comfortable the tray is to wipe down, especially if you will be using it often. Some unique looking trays are often too high maintenance for daily use.
Best Tea Trays
Home It Bamboo Serving Tray
For all the best tea parties, bring the sophistication of this elegant bamboo serving tray into your setup. Since its made from natural bamboo, the tray is eco-friendly and easy to produce.
The beautiful and versatile bamboo serving tray carries that eye-catching bamboo looks in an exquisite accent that is sure to accentuate your home decor. The tray is natural and beautiful.
The tray measures an ample 16.5″ L x 10.25″ W x 2 H that is large enough to fit multiple cups and a teapot. Also, it sports a surrounding tray lip that helps keep items in place and prevent them from falling over.
On the sides, the tray features two wide wood handles that allow for a secure, comfortable grip. Furthermore, the tray is super easy to clean. Wipe it down with warm water, and a damp cloth then store in a dry place.
The Home It Bamboo Serving Tray is excellent for use as a tea tray, dinner tray, bar tray, breakfast tray, or any regular food tray.
Pros
- Sleek and durable
- Versatile and cozy
- Suitable for any use case
- Easy to clean
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Some reviewers reported receiving smaller sizes
Lipper International 1165 Acacia Curved Serving Tray
If you want a more durable hardwood option that will last forever, get the Lipper International 1165 Acacia Serving Tray. This Curved Serving Tray is made from sturdy acacia that ensures durability while adding to the overall aesthetic.
The chic serving tray features an elegant curved design with ample cutout handles for a comfortable grip. Its sleek design is functional as well as aesthetic as it is sure to enhance the decor of any kitchen or room.
The tray measures an ample 19.85″ L x 14″ W x 2.5” H that is large enough to fit multiple cups and a teapot. The inside surface is also slightly recessed to prevent slippage of your teaware.
Sleek, elegant, and functional, the Lipper International 1165 Acacia Curved Serving Tray is excellent for serving tea, cheeses, or snacks.
To clean the tray, Hand wash with mild soap and lukewarm water. Do not soak. Do not put in the dishwasher, microwave, or refrigerator as extreme temperature changes will make the material crack over time. Polishing the tray with a little mineral oil helps to maintain its elegant appearance.
Pros
- Eye-catching design
- Cutout handles for a comfortable grip
- Suitable for any use case
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Some reviewers reported receiving smaller sizes
Royal Albert Polka Rose Formal Vintage Rectangular Serving Tray
The Royal Albert Polka Rose serving tray is the touch of class you never knew you needed. Are you starting a tea collection for your kid? Need to send out a gift that will make the receiver gasp? This piece is your guy.
This stunning bone china piece is as beautiful as it is functional and surprisingly durable. The versatile serving tray is suitable for tea, cookies, crackers, or anywhere your imagination takes you.
The tray measures a side to side width of 6.9 inches, a height of 1 inch and weighs just 1.3 pounds.
The tray is made in England, and it reeks of high-end construction.
Pros
- Beautiful, stunning aesthetics
- High-end construction, made in England
- Relatively durable
- Suitable for any use case
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Inferior packaging and quality check issues
Turkish Ottoman Tea Serving Square Tray
This copper tray is some different, but no less one striking design. The gold plating complements the traditional ottoman design to create one masterpiece that is sure to turn heads and spark conversations.
The Turkish Ottoman Tea Serving Square Tray is a thing of pure beauty. All it takes is a little polish to keep the tray at its royal best for a long time.
The tray measures 11 x 0.5 x 11 inches and weighs 1.79 pounds.
Pros
- Eye-catching Turkish Ottoman design
- Suitable for any use case
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Small size