Tea Corner

Adding Class with a Glass Tea Set or Glass Teaware

The tradition of serving tea has been around for many centuries. This custom has aspects of social importance as well as of political significance, and many an alliance has been won, or lost, over an afternoon tea. It could be said that one’s social standing is often judged not by their manners or the level of their hospitality, but by the quality of their tea service.

Many a household will sacrifice some of the niceties of life to maintain their ownership of a well-made teapot and matching set of tea cups. Tea services made of silver, bone china, and good porcelain are revered as family heirlooms, and are passed down from generation to generation with a sense of pride and position.

Although this list of tea service qualities does not usually include glassware, many services are, in fact, available in glass. There are more sets of teaware made of glass today than ever before, which introduces a new category in this age-old tradition of social intercourse.

Glass teaware is accepted as keeping to the rules of entertaining, as long as the teaware is of a high quality. This is an area of distinction that separates the good from the not-so-good, and the investment in a quality glass tea set will carry with it the same prestige as did its predecessors. A well-made glass teaware set of solid construction and artful design will retain its value as well as any other tea service material.

Investing in a glass tea set or glass teaware has another benefit that the other more traditional tea services cannot provide. This is in reference to the recent arrival of herbal teas into the realm of an acceptable tea for socializing. One of the most intriguing aspects of the brewing of herbal teas is the visual display that occurs during the brewing process.

The traditional “herbal” teas in the past were mainly the oolong and long jing teas from China and Japan, usually referred to as “Japanese tea”. These teas have made up the bulk of the herbal tea market for years, yet those same Asian tea makers have been selling many other types of botanical brews for as long as there has been a market for tea – in other words, for centuries.

The “discovery” of these other varieties of herbal tea in Western cultures has resulted in an explosion in the availability of quality teas that do more than turn brown in a cup. Asian tea artisans have been handcrafting works of art for the teapot these many years, refining their art to provide all of the health benefits that herbal teas contain along with an entertaining sideshow that pleases the eye as well as the other senses.

Flowering tea that manifests a veritable ballet of form in a teapot cannot be fully appreciated in anything other than a glass tea set or glass teaware. The palette of colors that is possible with herbal tea brewing is another reason to invest in glass teaware. Even the monochromatic display of the everyday tea will take on a special significance when viewed through the veil of a glass tea set.

About the Author

Adding Class with a Glass Tea Set or Glass Teaware – UK tea brand specialises in hand-tied flowering tea, glass teapots and unusual tea gifts.

Hand Painted Special Flower Tea Cup

Medelco #4 Cone Permanent Coffee Filter $0.01 #4 Cone, 8-12 Cup, Golden, Basket Permanent Coffee Filter, Universally Designed To Fit Most Coffee Makers, Heat Treated Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Mesh Filter, Color Can Not Wear Off, Environmental Option To Disposable Paper Filters, Top Rack Dishwasher Safe, Unlike The More Expensive Alternatives, 5 Year Limited Warranty….

Copco 2510-9963 Acadia Reusable To-Go Mug, 16-Ounce Capacity $5.69 Stop throwing away countless foam cups and help protect the environment with this insulated, re-usable travel coffee cup from Copco. This white cup features a brown, non-slip grip that resembles the sleeve on disposable cups. The lid quarter turns to seal and lock in place, which helps to prevent leaks. The entire cup is insulated, which makes it perfect for retaining either heated or cold beverag…

China Cup Storage Chest – Deluxe Quilted Microfiber (Light Gray) (13H x 15.5W x 5D) $11.93 Protect your cups in this quilted china cup storage container. Any type of tea cup, from the finest China to small mugs can benefit by the use of these protective storage bags. The quilted Microfiber fabric is sturdy and soft, ideal for china cup storage. This case is divided to hold and protect 12 cups. Save your dishes from nicks and scratches with these protective cases! Assembly level/degree o…

Retro Fancy Coffee Porcelain Fan / Light Pull $6.99 Handcrafted to the highest standards by “Decoration Sensation”. We also offer matching Outlet Covers, Double Size Switchplates, Triple Size Switchplates, Rocker GFI Covers, Combo Switchplates, Phone and Cable Covers. We guarantee your complete satisfaction or money back. We are sure you will be delighted with these unique items. Items will arrive via USPS and a tracking # will be sent to you. Also…

Pouring Fresh Tea to Elegant China Teacups. – 36H x 24W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $51.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Dove with White Porcelain – 24H x 19W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Frieling USA Cilio Porcelain Filter Holder Cilio is a fine German brand headquartered in the famous steel town of Solingen and is well know for its high quality products. Cilio’s motto is “lifestyle at home”. For great coffee the traditional way, place a paper or mesh coffee filter inside this porcelain holder and brew directly into a coffee pot or insulated server….

Exceptionlab Inc. 10-Ounce Ceramic Cup We are happy to serve you $11.35 Your search is over! Finally, a classy, eco-friendly, useful New York souvenir! Get the world’s most famous paper coffee cup, replicated in ceramic for home or restaurant use. This ceramic cup bears the message “We Are Happy To Serve You,” and includes details such as a seam and edge fold, which are so good you’ll think you’re drinking out of the old style paper cup!Over 180 million cups are used…

The TeaSpot Steeping Lime Mug with Infuser & Lid (16-Ounce Cup) $16.95 New! Prepare traditional tea with modern technology and design. This ergonomic three piece systems allows you to steep the perfect mug of tea with elegance and ease. This 16 oz porcelain steeping mug system with mug, infuser basket and lid/saucer is just perfect for making steeped tea effortlessly. Masterfully handcrafted in porcelain, the 16 oz steeping vessel is ideal for brewing loose leaf tea…

Melitta Porcelain Gourmet 6 Cup Coffeemaker, $35.89 Elegance, convenience and fresh brewed taste is all included in this Melitta tradition. Our Porcelain coffeemaker prepares six cups of coffee, with that fresh brewed taste, using Melitta number 4 filters….

Be Sociable, Share!

•