Teaware

Teaware is a broad international spectrum of equipment used in the brewing and consumption of tea. Many components make up that spectrum, and vary greatly based upon the type of tea being prepared, and the cultural setting in which it is being prepared. This is often referred to as the tea ceremony, and holds much significance in many cultures, particularly in northwestern Europe and in eastern Asia. A complete, cohesive collection of tea ware makes up a tea set.

Components

Teaware (may be part of a Tea set)
	Teapot	Used to steep tea leaves in hot water
	Tea kettle	Used to boil water
	Teacup	Vessels from which to drink the hot tea (after the leaves have been strained). There are many different kinds of tea cups.
	Tea tray	Used to hold teaware; also keeps the tea and hot water from spilling onto the table
	Tea strainer	Used to extract leaves from tea solutions
	Tea ball (infuser)	Used to hold tea leaves in water for removal after steeping
	Tea bag	Alternative to the tea ball
	Teabag holder / coaster	Sized for holding a tea bag or ball
	Tea caddy	For storing tea when not being consumed
	Tea cosy	A knitted cover for keeping a teapot hot after the tea is made

Alternatives / Others

Chaki, the caddy used at Japanese tea ceremonies.
Chawan, tea bowl used in East Asian tea ceremonies
Coffee cup, instead of tea cup
Gaiwan, lidded cup for brewing and decanting or tea may even be drunk out of the vessel directly
Japanese tea utensils, used in their tea ceremonies
Mug, instead of tea cup
Tea draining tray, for the Gongfu tea ceremony

Construction

Tea equipment may be constructed of many materials, from iron in Japan to porcelain and clay in China, and also bamboo and other woods. Of particular repute are the Yixing clay teapots produced in eastern China, a type of Yixing ware. The Brown Betty was originally made from red clay found in Britain.