A proper tea preparation comes into its own during tasting — you should be able to smell all the aromas in your cup. To do this, you need to equip yourself with the right tea accessories and quality products. Which accessories for preparing tea do you need? A tea spoon, a teapot, tea filters? What equipment do you need to buy for more specific preparations such as matcha tea or mate tea? Let's take stock.
The tea spoon: an essential for measuring tea
The tea spoon is a measuring instrument for getting the right dose of tea for your cup, and some of these spoons allow you to steep directly in the cup.
Tea spoons: what are their characteristics?
It can be made of bamboo, stainless steel, metal, or porcelain, etc. It is generally recognisable by its long handle, which makes it easier to scoop tea from its tin or packaging. It is a measuring instrument, like teaspoons or tablespoons in cooking. Some spoons, also known as handled tea balls, can be fitted with an infuser and resemble a fully closed clamp with small holes. You take the tea directly from the tin or its packaging for preparation, and the infusion takes place in your cup or mug according to your preference.
What are the measurements of tea spoons?
Tea spoons generally correspond to 5 ml, or 2 to 3 grams of tea. Tea spoons will be less precise than a scale, as they do not take into account the density of different teas such as black tea, white tea, rooibos, etc. You should count 2 g of tea per 100 to 150 ml of water. However, there are no strict rules and the tea dose depends on your preferences, particularly the intensity of flavour you wish to achieve.
The teapot: the recommended accessory for steeping tea
The teapot can be made in different materials such as cast iron, porcelain, stoneware, or clay: the choice is vast. Teapots are often associated with a particular country. One thinks, for example, of the silver teapot for Morocco, the cast iron teapot for Japan, the English tea service, etc. A closer look at the electric teapot, the glass teapot, and the cast iron teapot.
The cast iron teapot
The cast iron teapot originates from China, but it was developed by the Japanese — it is also known as Tetsubin. When not enamelled, it is used as a kettle and is not suitable for steeping tea. The cast iron teapot is the one you see at the Japanese tea ceremony, and it is adorned with various patterns. The purchase price of this teapot can be higher than that of others.
The glass teapot
You can also choose a glass teapot to watch the water take on its colour and admire the shade of the tea leaves. It can incorporate a filter or an infuser made of glass or stainless steel. It is one of those memory-free teapots that allow you to steep different types of tea.
The electric teapot
Choosing an electric teapot for your tea time allows you to use it both as a teapot and as a kettle. The choice of capacity and size of the teapot depends on how you intend to use it and your preferences. Depending on the product you choose, you can select the programme for the water temperature, the steeping time according to your wishes, etc.
The tea strainer: the perfect accessory for loose-leaf tea
A wide variety of tea filters exists: small or large, made of wood, silicone, paper, or stainless steel, in different shapes or colours, etc. Your choice will depend on the advantages and disadvantages of the filter material. For example, stainless steel is durable, but small pieces of tea leaves or rooibos grains can get caught in the small holes. Silicone filters can darken over time and absorb odours after several infusions. Glass filters allow you to watch your tea steep, but they break more easily than others. You can also opt for disposable paper filters.
Preparing matcha tea: what equipment to use?
Matcha tea is a type of green tea that comes in the form of a powder. It is prepared in a large wide-rimmed bowl, the Chawan. The matcha tea accessories are few, as you only need a bowl, a whisk, and a spoon. According to Japanese ritual, the traditional bamboo whisk is used to mix the green tea with hot water. It is recommended to use a specific matcha bowl, with a flat base and vertical sides. The higher the quality of the bowl, the higher its price. Finally, the bamboo matcha spoon will provide you with the precise dose for one bowl.
Mate tea: what utensils for its preparation?
Two mate tea accessories will be needed to enjoy your drink in the traditional way. It is recommended to use a gourd and a bombilla. The gourd is the traditional vessel for mate tea — it is a ball-shaped cup, resembling the gourd of the same name. It can be made of handcrafted wood, ceramic, leather, or metal, and possibly with a lid. The bombilla is a metal straw fitted with a filter. The mate leaves are steeped directly in the gourd, and the bombilla's filter prevents you from inhaling them.