Drinking tea is not only a lifestyle habit, but also a cultural inheritance and enjoyment of life. Most people only value teapots and know to choose a better purple clay pot or pottery pot, ignoring the importance of tea cups. Ceramics and porcelain, as common materials for tea cups, each have their own unique charm and characteristics. This article will explore in depth the advantages, disadvantages, and choices of pottery and porcelain when drinking tea from multiple perspectives.
1、 Material characteristics
（1） Pottery: A representative of simplicity and nature. The firing temperature of pottery is usually below 1200 ℃, and most pottery will burn out or melt after the temperature exceeds 1200 ℃. Due to its main raw material being clay, which contains a lot of impurities and large pores. This porous structure enables pottery to have good adsorption properties and absorb aroma components in tea soup. Over time, pottery will gradually accumulate tea aroma, forming a unique "tea flavor memory". However, the water absorption of pottery also means that it is prone to tea stains and needs to be cleaned in a timely manner, otherwise it will produce an odor. Of course, these are limited to unglazed pottery, and glazed pottery will not have these problems.
（2） Porcelain: a symbol of delicacy and elegance, the firing temperature of porcelain is generally between 1200 ℃ and 1300 ℃. Due to its main raw material being kaolin, which has a delicate and smooth texture, it can withstand high temperatures. The water absorption rate of porcelain is extremely low, almost negligible, so tea soup is not easy to residue on the surface of porcelain, and it is also relatively easy to clean. Porcelain has a fast heat transfer rate and can quickly transfer heat to tea soup. At the same time, its insulation performance is relatively good, making it suitable for brewing tea leaves that require higher water temperatures.
From the appearance, porcelain has a smooth and transparent surface, rich and diverse colors, and exquisite forms. Common colors of porcelain include white porcelain, celadon, blue and white porcelain, etc. Among them, white porcelain is the most common, mainly because many people like to see the color of tea soup, which is suitable for brewing various types of tea leaves. There are also various shapes of porcelain, from simple straight tube cups to exquisite engraved cups, all of which can meet the aesthetic needs of different users.
2、 The impact on tea soup: differences in aroma and taste
The material of the tea cup not only affects the appearance of the tea set, but also has a significant impact on the aroma, taste, and color of the tea soup.
（1） Ceramic cup: Absorbs aroma, mellow and long-lasting. Due to the porous structure of the ceramic cup, it can adsorb the aroma components in the tea soup, allowing the tea aroma to gradually accumulate in the cup. This characteristic makes ceramic cups perform well when brewing some aged tea. For example, Pu erh old tea, aged black tea and other tea leaves themselves have a strong aged aroma, and ceramic cups can further enhance this aroma, making it more mellow and long-lasting. In addition, ceramic cups have good insulation properties, which can keep the temperature of tea soup for a long time and help to continuously release aroma components in tea leaves. However, the adsorption of ceramic cups is also a double-edged sword. If different types of tea leaves are frequently replaced, the ceramic cup may retain the previous tea aroma, leading to cross flavors. Therefore, it is best to fix one or several types of tea when using ceramic cups to maintain the purity of their aroma. In addition, the water absorption of ceramic cups can dilute the taste of tea soup to a certain extent, so when brewing some tea leaves with high aroma, the intensity of their aroma may be weakened. But pottery objects have a very good representation of tea soup, just like how traditional clay pots can lock in the medicinal effects when we boil medicine.
（2） Porcelain cup: restores the original flavor, fresh and natural. The surface of porcelain is smooth and almost does not absorb the tea aroma, so it can effectively restore the original flavor of tea soup. When brewing fragrant tea leaves such as green tea and white tea, porcelain cups can highlight their refreshing taste and natural aroma. For example, when brewing Longjing green tea with a white porcelain cup, the tea soup has a clear and bright color, a fresh and elegant aroma, and can make people feel the most primitive flavor of green tea. The heat transfer speed of porcelain is fast, which can quickly transfer the heat of hot water to tea leaves, allowing them to fully release their aroma and taste in a short period of time. This characteristic makes ceramic cups suitable for brewing tea leaves that require higher water temperatures, such as black tea, oolong tea, etc. Although the insulation performance of porcelain is not as good as that of ceramic cups, it can still maintain the temperature of tea soup, preventing it from cooling too quickly during drinking. In addition, the low water absorption of porcelain ensures that the tea soup is not affected by the cup material, which can better showcase the quality of tea leaves, but has almost no effect on the degree of flavor variation of the tea soup.
3、 Aesthetic experience: The collision of simplicity and delicacy in the selection of tea sets is not only a consideration of practicality, but also a reflection of aesthetic taste. Ceramics and porcelain have their own unique aesthetic values, reflecting different cultural connotations and aesthetic pursuits.
（1） Ceramic cup: the beauty of antiquity and the charm of nature
The antique texture of the pottery cup and the traces of handmade art give it a unique charm. Its surface texture is rough, the color is natural, giving people a feeling of returning to simplicity. The shape of pottery cups is usually simple, with smooth lines and a natural beauty. This simple beauty is in line with traditional tea ceremony culture, especially suitable for use in tea art occasions that emphasize nature and a simple atmosphere. The color of pottery cups is mainly dark brown, which gives people a warm and stable feeling, and can blend in with the natural environment. When pairing tea leaves, ceramic cups complement aged white tea, aged black tea, and other vintage teas the most. These tea leaves themselves have a rich aged aroma and mellow taste, echoing the antique texture of the pottery cup, creating a peaceful and distant tea atmosphere.
（2） Ceramic Cup: Exquisite Beauty and Elegant Appearance
The smoothness, transparency, and exquisite design of porcelain cups make them a classic in tea sets. The white porcelain cup, with its pure white color and simple design, showcases an elegant and fresh beauty, suitable for pairing with various types of tea leaves. Celadon and blue and white porcelain, with their unique colors and exquisite patterns, showcase a classical and elegant temperament. The shapes of porcelain are diverse, from simple straight tube cups to complex engraved cups, all of which can meet the aesthetic needs of different users. The aesthetic value of porcelain cups is not only reflected in their appearance, but also in their cultural connotations. Porcelain is one of the important symbols of traditional Chinese culture, carrying a long history and profound cultural heritage. In tea ceremony, the use of porcelain is not only for tasting tea, but also for inheriting and promoting traditional culture. The exquisite beauty of porcelain complements the elegant posture of tea ceremony, creating an elegant and peaceful tea atmosphere.
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