What is that phrase? Different strokes for different folks! If you visit my home you will see the diversity of me in my teas and my tea sets. I’ve got an electric kettle, and a Japanese cast iron kettle. I’ve got a tea pet and a mug from Starbucks. My diversity range is large and all encompassing. It’s me and my best tea set comes from a reddit subscriber. Below you will find the 5 tea sets to look good on y our table, any table and the fun will be to pick just one. I’ll share it below.
What you need to know about tea sets
My first tea kettle!
How to choose the best tea set for you.
Tea is an experience and picking your tea set is the same. It will catch your eye and maybe you leave it on the shelf only to think about it all night long. That is the tea set for you! Don’t wait too long (as I often do) and have to search even more for the perfect tea set you left behind.
Your preference is the most important factor in choosing a tea set. Does it match your decor or does it stand out. Opposites do attract at times and not always in dating.
Functionality would be next. It has to work. It has to work for you and your need(s). Sometimes it will just sit there bringing you joy. Other things to consider
- Will it fit, size matters
- Is the cord long enough or shot enough
- Color
- Design
- Does it hold enough water
- How does it feel in your hands
- How does it pour
- Does it have an infuser
- What material is it made of
- Is it safe
- Dishwasher/Microwave safe
- Will it last
Once you decide what design of tea pot you want next you have to decide what that teapot will be used for.
What is your favorite tea? Mine is oolong. While my favorite tea changes for now it’s oolong.
Let’s find the perfect teapot for your favorite tea:
Black, Oolong and Pu Erh Teas
The best tea set ever would be Yixing. Yixing is a clay pot. This pot can be used for Yellow or White tea but must be allowed to cool.
The one thing I love about this tea set is it’s a one tea pot. If you use this tea set for just one type of tea the pot will absorb the flavor of the tea and keep it.
It’s important not to use soap when washing, just rinse and allow to dry. This allows the tea ware to be coated with the tea it is used to brew.
Pros
- Retains heat
- Retains flavor
- Decorative
Cons
- Hand rinse
- No soap for cleaning
- Smaller
Blooming tea
Glass teapots are always the best choice for a blooming tea. Why? I think the glass has a lot to do with it. Watch your tea unfold and bloom.
I love watching the artistic talent unfold before me. I always think about the person who spent their time wrapping this tea so I could enjoy it.
Pros
- Clear
- Beautiful
- Visual representation
Con’s
- Fragile
- Breaks easily
- May stain
- Hand wash only
All types of tea leaves
Ceramic tea pots are very versatile and are good for all sorts of tea leaves. Because the inside is coated or glazed it’s easy to clean and wont stain as easily.
Ceramic tea pots come in general colors or patterns, that choice would be up to you. Imagine a plain tea pot with patterned tea cups.
Pros
- Versatile
- Sturdy
- Easy to clean
- Retains heat
Cons
- Can be heavy
- Can chip
Another great tea set for all tea types is Cast Iron
Cast iron is a solid tea kettle that holds hot water longer, easy to clean.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Easy to Clean
- Retains heat longer
Cons
- Heavy
- Can develop rust over time
- Must keep dry when not in use
What are the advantages/benefits of a teapot?
I don’t think there can be much controversy in choosing a tea set. I think what you like love should be what you do. Maybe your household is contemporary yet, you like that antique tea pot you found at a local thrift store. Go for it!
- Your teapot must be safe and safe for you to use.
- Know the materials used in creating your tea set
- Know that you cannot microwave metallic trim
- Can it be too hot to handle
- Is it too fragile for your needs
- Some metals can be toxic
- A teapot can be the most beautiful thing. When you look at your tea cabinet or tea display you need to smile, from your heart.
Go for it, make you happy and do you boo!
Top 5 tea sets
Best authentic tea set
Beautiful royal design and a beautiful shining white color. Glazed. This is a 22 piece set including a creamer and sugar container.
- Pumpkin shaped
- Silver trim
- Glazed finish
- Kettle holds 28 ounces
- Tea cups hold 8 ounces
- Cups have a thickness to them
- Easy to pour
- Filter (infuser)
- Charming smooth design
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Strong
- Heavy
- Removable filter
Cons
- Do not microwave
- Can’t not replace individual pieces
- Not thin/delicate
- Chips easily
Best Contemporary Tea set
They call this the blooming tea set. Remember that blooming tea? Perfect tea set for that! One thing I have to disagree on is it says it is a stovetop set. I’d not put this on my stove. It does not seem viable enough to withstand the heat.
I may be wrong but it just does not seem like the right kind of kettle to go stove top with. This is a teapot more than a teakettle
- Solid lead free glass
- Hand blown borosilicate glass
- 34 ounce teapot
- Glass infuser
- Warmer
- 4 – 3.4 ounce double walled glasses
- 12 unique blooming teas
Pros
- Double walled
- Perfect for gift giving
- Lead free
- Air pressure release of lid
- Rust free
- Ergonomic handle
- Microwave safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Non drip spout
- Can purchase more cups
Cons
- Not stovetop
- Can shatter
- Fragile
- Strainer to big for loose leaf tea
- Smaller cups
Best Tea Set For Parties
Who doesn’t want to have a tea party? I assume you do if you are looking through a tea blog!
Having a matching set of cups is the sign of a real British tea party. Matching those cups to the tea kettle makes your tea party elegant and fabulous.
- Ceramic
- 33.8 oz teapot
- 6.1 oz tea cup
- Comes with stand
Pros
- Lead free
- Beautiful gold trim
- Hand painted
- Delicate
- Giftable
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- Hand painted (can chip)
- Holding rack can be unsteady
- Metallic trim do not microwave
- Fragile
Best Classic Tea Set
Made of porcelain however the look to me is almost stoneware. It’s delicate yet there appears to be a strength to the design. I love the royalness of the crest on the teacups and teapot.
- Porcelain
- 48 oz teapot
- 8 oz tea cup
- Comes with sugar and creamer set
- Lead safe
Pros
- Delicate
- Giftable
- Microwave safe
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not lead free but lead safe (Prop 65 standards)
- Hand painted (can chip)
- No filter
- Metallic trim do not microwave
- Fragile
Best Japanese Tea Set
This beautiful Calligraphy tea set is typical of Japanese tea sets. On the body of the Japanese tea set is calligraphy in kanji that says “time for tea”. The tea kettle has a bamboo handle.
- Porcelain
- 27 oz teapot
- 7 oz tea cup
- Giftable
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Microwave safe
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not lead free but lead safe (Prop 65 standards)
- Hand painted (can chip)
- No filter
- Fragile
- Do not boil on stove or warmer
- Not microwave safe
- Not dishwasher safe
Conclusion
So many choices and the decision is up to you. Purchasing your first tea pot is an exciting time. As your love and interest in tea grows so will your desire to have more interesting pieces. It’s only a matter of time until you convert that cabinet into your tea collection showcase. Trust me on this.
Some of the best places to get tea ware is your local thrift shop. A relative will be cleaning the house and toss something of value into the thrift pile. There you go…your first piece is born.
Treasure a classic but always pick up pieces that are unique to you. Those unique pieces won’t matter where they are from, what they are made of or who made them. What matters is that the tea set caught your eye and brought joy.
Keep that which brings you joy.
