There are a few situations that a relaxing cup of afternoon tea can’t fix. Since tea is smooth, fragrant, and rich with antioxidants; it’s no surprise that it is an integral part of many of the world’s cultures. However, a mediocre teacup can quickly ruin the entire experience.
The tea-loving cultures of China and Japan have known this for years; hence, their long history of fascination with elegant teacups.
Choosing the perfect teacup is essential for both practical and aesthetic reasons. With loose leaf tea, the quality and taste of your brew is affected by every single variable in the tea making process.
The taste of your tea is altered by every item it touches, so your cup can make a whole world of difference. Trying out tea, even high-quality produce with styrofoam cups is tantamount to gustatory suicide.
Aesthetics is also a significant factor as the overall setting of your table goes a long way in determining the level of satisfaction you will derive. Furthermore, eye-catching teacups are an excellent way to welcome friends into your home and the perfect conversation starter.
Choosing the Perfect Tea Cup
For most avid tea drinkers, their favorite teacup or mug is more than just a utensil. For many, teacups are a very personal item with profound significance.
This penchant for valuing teacups stays true to the ancient Chinese and Japanese tea-drinking cultures. In these traditions, a teacup caries deep-rooted importance in both cultural, social, and political spheres.
However, whether you adhere to this value system or not, we can all at least agree that, for the tea enthusiast, the teacup is a frequently used utensil. Hence, to enhance your state of mind, it is paramount that you choose one you at least enjoy.
When you take stock of the types of teacups available to you, making the right choice can quickly become tasking. Teacups vary in style from traditional Chinese Gong Fu ceramic no handle teacups to totem “hi-tech” mugs like the Camera Lens Thermos Mug.
Factors to consider when selecting a teacup includes:
Size
Unlike with other beverages, the size of your cup matters a lot with tea. Traditional teacups are small for a reason: bigger cups will change the texture of the infusion. Larger cups also hold more tea, creating situations where your brew get colds before you finish. For the best experience, you should opt for a cup of 150 ml (5 oz) or less in size.
Shape
The shape of the cup is also an important determinant in how great your tea experience goes. Ideally, a teacup should be fuller up top and sport an even angle at the bottom. This shape is the ideal shape that allows the tea to cool correctly. With this design, the top of the cup cools faster than the bottom, reducing your chance of burning your tongue. Furthermore, for a better aromatic experience, you should opt for taller cups.
Ergonomics
How the cup sits in hand can make or mar your experience. When selecting a cup, ensure it has the right balance and handles well. Furthermore, the container should not be cumbersome when you lift it, and it should sit comfortably back into the saucer. Drinking ergonomics also matter. The thickness of the lip can significantly impact how easy it is to drink from the cup. To further accentuate the sipping experience, classic cup designs have a little curve on the rim that sits comfortably above your lower lip.
Material
There is a wide variety of teaware materials on the market, so making the right choice can be tough. The perfect teacup material must be non-porous as porous materials can bring strange aromas and flavors to your brew. Also, the material must be chemically inert and safe for contact with food. Hence, we do not recommend plastic and styrofoam cups. Furthermore, the material should be thick enough to retain some heat and light enough to be pleasing on the lips.
Common teacup materials include:
Porcelain
Porcelain is considered by many to be the traditional material for consuming tea. The material is an excellent performer. It conserves some heat and maintains a steady infusion temperature through your drinking time. However, most porcelain teawares are delicate and are more fragile than other options. Porcelain is not dishwasher-safe.
Glass
Glass brings something unique to the table in that you get to what the infusion process proceed as you consume your tea. Also, glass is one of the most neutral options available so that it will preserve the original taste, color, and infusion of your brew. However, glass is a poor conserver of heat, and you may have to deal with cold tea if you choose larger cups. Glass is super easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
Related: Best Glass Teapot with Infuser
Wood
Wooden teacups are traditional Japanese teaware that infuses the loving touch of mother nature into the tea-drinking experience. Wood cups are typically made of solid wood and finished with natural lacquer or some other surface treatment to make them non-porous.
Why You Should Consider Getting a Wooden Tea Cup
Natural, Primitive Feel
Compared to other teaware materials, wood brings a healthy and straightforward natural feel. Opt for wooden cup with a natural finish like organic lacquer for the complete experience.
Heat Management
Wooden teacups do a great job of keeping the heat on the inside. Unlike porcelain, ceramic, or glass, wooden cups stay relatively cool on the outside, so you never have to worry about burning your hands. Wood’s excellent heat management also makes it an excellent choice for other drinks as it keeps liquids colder in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Aesthetics
The natural good looks of solid wood is undebatable. You can also get wood mugs in a variety of finishes and burns that further accentuate the style. These cups fit right into any natural-themed or minimalist setup. High-quality wooden teacups are easy on the eyes and make excellent gifts for any occasion. They are also a great conversation starter.
Easy Maintenance
Wooden teacups are super easy to maintain. Gently wash them with dish soap and water at room temperature and air dry. Polish them with a little bit of cutting board wax now and again, and you will have them looking brand new for years.
Durability
In the teaware market, save for metal options, wood is hands down the most durable material you can get. With wooden teacups, you never again have to worry about dropping and destroying your expensive teaware set.
Wooden Tea Cup Cons
- With wooden cups, you can’t reheat your tea in a microwave as it will ruin your cup
- Poorly finished wooden cups are porous and will destroy the taste and color of your tea
Best Wooden Tea Cups
Moyishi Top-Grade Natural Solid Wood Wooden Tea Cup
If you are looking for a high-quality wooden tea mug that delivers top performance every time, look no further than this solid wood teacup set from Moyishi. The cups are made from natural wood and finished with a natural lacquer for an aesthetic, non-porous finish.
Moyishi Top-Grade Wooden Tea Cups are suitable for drinking tea, coffee, milk, and wine.
In the box, you get a set of four 250ml (8.4 oz) cups. The set makes an excellent natural-themed gift for any occasion.
Pros
- Subtle natural elegance
- Natural lacquer finish makes it non-porous
- Chemical and additive-free
- Temperature controls
- Perfect themed gift
Cons
- Some reviewers reported receiving smaller sized cups
- Cannot be reheated without damaging the cup
Bamber Wooden Tea Cup
The Bamber Wooden Tea Cup is another excellent eco-friendly cup for your beverages. The small 5-ounce bowl is perfect for drinking tea without losing any temperature.
The Bamber cup features a unique nordic-style design that sees it double as a functional cup and a unique home decor item. The container is non-porous and non-toxic as it is treated with the same food-grade sealer used on butcher blocks.
It’s highly decorative design makes this piece an excellent holiday gift.
Pros
- Eye-catching nordic-style design
- Suitable for both hot and cold liquids
- Sealed with a food-grade butcher block sealant
- Eco-friendly, wood-only build
Cons
- You will have to use the cup overtime to keep the wood sealed, so it doesn’t crack rot or leak
Emoyi Wooden Tea Mug
For an authentic Japanese wooden cup experience try the Emoyi Wooden Tea Mug. The cup is made of solid wood and finished with natural lacquer to make it non-porous and corrosion-resistant.
, the 100ml cup is handmade to tradition and repeatedly polished for a smooth, toasted finish, creating its truly exquisite aesthetics.
Need to share a drink with that special someone? The cup ships in a set of two that is perfect for sharing tea. The collection is also an excellent gift for any occasion.
Pros
- Super stylish and elegant
- Natural wood carved by hand
- Natural lacquer finish makes it non-porous
- Chemical and additive-free
- Perfect themed gift
Cons
- Cannot be reheated without damaging the cup