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I'm interested in getting a pewter, aluminum, or even copper tea tray like the ones found at EoT:

https://essenceoftea.com/collections/te ... tray-round


Besides EoT where else can I find them - I'm also happy to buy something off of Aliexpress, but what I don't know what search terms to use - all it comes up with are either wooden tea trays or serving trays.

Check out Royal Selangor for all things pewter... Their tea caddies are awesome but the older ones...

maitre_tea wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 7:20 pm

I'm interested in getting a pewter, aluminum, or even copper tea tray like the ones found at EoT:

https://essenceoftea.com/collections/te ... tray-round


Besides EoT where else can I find them - I'm also happy to buy something off of Aliexpress, but what I don't know what search terms to use - all it comes up with are either wooden tea trays or serving trays.

I think it will be hard to find something similar on Aliexpress, too much of a niche for the "foreign market" compared to wood/bamboo trays. Taobao and JD.com has a bunch of Chaozhou trays in different materials (including copper, clay and porcelain), try doing a search for 潮州茶盘, 老锡茶盘 and 紫铜茶盘. Problem is, unless you have a contact in China you'll need to rely on an agent (very few of the shops are willing to ship internationally) and with agent fees and shipping (the latter in particular) included I really doubt you'll be able to get a tray for less than the price at EoT. If price is not an issue you might still consider it, as the variety in the selection is bigger.

I'm not aware of other Western vendors selling these types of trays, but perhaps other members are.

Edit: Actually, Purple Cloud Tea House has some ceramic, copper and tin ones you might want to check out.

And KTM has a tin one.

I have tried the clay and porcelain versions of a CZ tea tray before.... didn't quite fit into my style of brewing and the pots I use. End up with a larger wooden tea tray with drainage to a bucket. Bigger open space and less constricting.

Royal Selangor has some pretty good tea accessories in their lineup, but not too sure if a CZ tea tray is in it. The one in EOT looks pretty decent and simple yet elegant.

Cheers!

I've been using a glazed ceramic CZ tea tray for the last six years. I like the round shape, its portability and how easy it is to clean (and forgiving if you forget to do so for an extended period of time). I give it a soda scrub every once in a while, and it comes out looking good as new.

On the downside, there's not always enough real estate to work with if you're doing sessions with more than one person.

It has always been intended for temporary usage, before we move to a place where I can actually have a dedicated tea table of sorts and don't have to move my tray back and forth from day to day. (Which is probably never, with the current local property prices )

Balthazar wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 06, 2020 3:05 am

On the downside, there's not always enough real estate to work with if you're doing sessions with more than one person.

+1

Balthazar wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 06, 2020 3:05 am

It has always been intended for temporary usage, before we move to a place where I can actually have a dedicated tea table of sorts and don't have to move my tray back and forth from day to day. (Which is probably never, with the current local property prices )

I still do that.... My tea tray has to be mobile as my "intended tea corner" has been turned into a music corner. My dining table doubles off as my tea table.

Cheers!!

Came across this a while back. Maybe it will suffice your needs.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/4000051214679.html

Edit: Actually, Purple Cloud Tea House has some ceramic, copper and tin ones you might want to check out.

And KTM has a tin one.
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@Balthazar
Purple cloud tea house looks very intrigue. Have you had any experience purchasing tea and tea wares from them? It seems like their services are by appointment

I've only ever bought tea from Purple Cloud, but I had some shipped to me when I was in the US, and I've also had them ship a rather large order to me here in Germany and had no issues

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 06, 2020 11:21 pm

Balthazar
Purple cloud tea house looks very intrigue. Have you had any experience purchasing tea and tea wares from them? It seems like their services are by appointment

Nope, but I've heard good things (and now from @wave_code too).

Thanks! These are all good options

Balthazar wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:22 pm

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 06, 2020 11:21 pm

Balthazar
Purple cloud tea house looks very intrigue. Have you had any experience purchasing tea and tea wares from them? It seems like their services are by appointment

Nope, but I've heard good things (and now from wave_code too).

@Balthazar
@wave_code
Great, they are a little more than a hour from where I am. I am curious enough to pay them a visit later

Ordered one from Taobao and it arrived yesterday - I think I'm in love