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I think a tea utensil set is a basic necessity, especially if you have guests so you don't handle their teaware with your hands.
Most come with tweezers, tea scooper, something to clean the leaves away from your yixing teapot spout, etc.
A tea scoop and spoon which is very helpful to put tea leaves in a yixing teapot with a small opening and great for putting your tea on display.
Rattan tea saucer, so your teaware stays above your spilled tea and doesn't get badly stained.
My choices are practical and for a neophyte such as myself are necessary.

There's a lot of teaware I don't own that I see others using so I'm a bit curious

Essential for me is a tea boat or waste water bowl of sorts. Some are combined in one.

I dislike the plastic waster water tube integrated version of a tea tray, so I opt for a simple flat bowl/dish. If it’s too full I’ll empty it in a Japanese style waste water container. If the teapot size allows I might opt to brew directly on it and skip the bowl. As seen on the image.

I don’t use pincer to handle cups, there other ways not to touch someone’s cup if required.

I don't think I've ever seen that before. My tea tray came with one of those tubes and I don't even like my tea tray. I'm going to get one with a large basin underneath, also the wood gets stained by tea if the color isn't dark enough.

A tea tray is essential...

Messing about with saucers and stuff, good for YouTube...

Light wood stained by tea, no worries, that's called seasoning...

StoneLadle wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 03, 2020 11:27 am

A tea tray is essential...

Messing about with saucers and stuff, good for YouTube...

Light wood stained by tea, no worries, that's called seasoning...

But but but.. it activates the ocd I don't have Its just my need for things to look correctly.
@StoneLadle What is your favorite piece of teaware?

i yah i get you, totally...

fav teaware, the pot and cup currently in my hands!

klepto wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:03 am

I don't think I've ever seen that before. My tea tray came with one of those tubes and I don't even like my tea tray. I'm going to get one with a large basin underneath, also the wood gets stained by tea if the color isn't dark enough.

Before I found the beauty above, I used a copper made one I bought on a trip to Kyoto years ago.

Or these interesting clay things that were used in Taiwan in the old days to keep the ants of the table where the food was. Filled with water under each leg, this kept them at bay.

@Bok Lovely setup, its interesting to see how people's taste is shown in their teaware. You have a vibe going there.

klepto wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:54 pm

Bok Lovely setup, its interesting to see how people's taste is shown in their teaware. You have a vibe going there.

Thanks

I too, find it intriguing how the brewing setup is an expression of personality. It is a very personal affair and big part of the enjoyment.

Bok wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:39 pm

klepto wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:03 am

I don't think I've ever seen that before. My tea tray came with one of those tubes and I don't even like my tea tray. I'm going to get one with a large basin underneath, also the wood gets stained by tea if the color isn't dark enough.

Before I found the beauty above, I used a copper made one I bought on a trip to Kyoto years ago.

Or these interesting clay things that were used in Taiwan in the old days to keep the ants of the table where the food was. Filled with water under each leg, this kept them at bay.

Really nice wooden scoop @Bok. Who made it?

lUKAV28 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:44 pm

Really nice wooden scoop Bok. Who made it?

Well spotted, one of my all time favourite tea accessory pieces. One of the few I have never thought of upgrading.

It's made by a local Taiwanese wood-craftsman. Means a lot to me, back then I exchanged it with him for a teapot I made.

That's a very tough question.....

This is what I actually need.... 1 Gaiwan and 1 big cup. Can brew up a storm with any type of tea.

This is what I actually end up with when I want to have a simple session when family members want to join in.

This is what I usually get myself in to.... need to get that TAD fix.

This is what happens when a desperate need for a TAD fix is required.... hahaha....

This is what happens when @StoneLadle comes for tea... hahahahahaha......


Cheers!!

@OCTO Brilliant sequence! Love it.

...burp...

@OCTO:


“Appetite comes with eating” - this proverb is as true for teaware as for anything else. The more you have, the more you need.

As someone who does solo sessions 99% of the time, a gaiwan, a couple pots, a cup and a pitcher is all I really need (could've survived with only the gaiwan and cup too, I guess). My tea utensil set has been dusting away for at least five years