Table of Contents
You may observe a small towel on the table when participating in a tea ceremony or having tea with a friend skilled at brewing Chinese tea. This is known as a tea towel.
The functions of the tea towel
Tea towels, typically made of linen or cotton, are indispensable in Gongfu tea for the following purposes:
1. Dry the Pot or Fair Cup
Before pouring the tea, use a towel to wipe the water at the bottom of the pot or fair cup. This stops water from dripping into the cups during the tea session.
2. Clean Spills
It can clean up any tea that spills on the table and keep the area clean.
3. Help with the Teapot
When handling a Yixing teapot, the towel can assist in making the movements smooth and elegant.
4. Keep the table clean
After the tea brew, the towel can be used to clean the tea tray and remove the watermarks. This is an essential final step in a formal tea occasion. It makes the tea table clean and the tea utensils neatly arranged.
Types of Tea Towels
1. Materials
They are often made of cotton or linen. Cotton towels are soft and absorb water well, while linen ones are strong and absorb water.
2. Designs
Some have embroidery, pictures, or paintings to look better. For example, a Chinese-style suede towel with excellent art, thick and absorbent, or a double-sided towel with long fibers and sound absorption.
Care Tips
1. Keep Clean
Keep the towel clean. Heat water (70-80°C) to remove new tea stains. For old stains, soak in salt water or use a mixture of ammonia and glycerin (1:10). Don't use ammonia on silk or wool; use a 10% glycerin solution instead.
2. Avoid Sunlight
Don't expose the towel to too much sunlight to prevent it from getting stiff.
3. Use Only for Tea
Use the towel only for tea to keep it clean and avoid having food or other dirty stuff.
Conclusion
In Gongfu tea ceremonies, the towel is a common item. Tea masters use it to dry the brewing vessel during the tea-making process. This ensures a clean and elegant tea-making process and enhances the tea-drinking experience. Also, the quality of the tea leaves, the tea brewing, the arrangement of the tea cups, and the entire tea session all add to the charm of Gongfu tea.
Check out the Gongfu tea set accessories in our store and enhance your tea-drinking experience.
