TEA TRAY , or SO CALLED CHAPAN IN MANDARIN

Dear my loving readers,

Below please find the photos of my tea tray taken at various angles so as to give you a clearer picture of what I am talking about. I do so is to give you more insight of the piece I have, which I believe it will give you some assistance if you were to get one for yourself thereafter.

The photo below show a brass spigot from the bottom of the tray, which is used for attachment of a polyvinyl hose, which then drains the water into a bucket.



Whereas the photo below show a brass spigot hole at the top of the tray.



The photo taken below, with the view to give the readers the in-depth understanding of the whole piece of the tea tray. It is made from a single piece of wood and you can't find any joint at it.



This tea tray is made of rose wood, mother of pearl of moon and flowers, which I usually use to serve my guests. The tea pot, bowls and cups are displayed on the tea tray prior to the tea serving session.

No doubt it can be used as home decoration, if it is not in use.

With tea tray, it will make your life more pleasant and enjoyable. You may use them on rotation basis, if you have more than a piece, so as to enjoy the beauty of each piece. This may also serve as conversation piece with your guests. Every piece has its own distinctively uniqueness and beauty.


TWO BASIC DESIGNS

Making tea ceremony, with tea tray, is more elegant, colorful, enjoyable and pleasant. In this art of making tea, it is usually presented with the teapot, bowl, cups on tea tray.

As the tea is in the preparation, water normally be poured over the teapot and tea cups in a gentle, continuous motion to wash all the pottery. This technique results in water overflowing from all the teapot, bowls and cups onto the tea tray, before it is drain to the bucket.

Normally the trays are designed with perforated slots to allow the water and tea to drip through. All these Tea tray are normally beautifully designed and perfect for use with teapots, tea bowl and tea cups.

Tea trays normally come in a variety of sturdy, elegant, lustrous hardwoods to enhance enjoyment of tea. Most of them are made from a single piece of wood.

Bamboo tea tray, which is much lighter in weight, but is as sturdy as the wooden board.

Whereas a small yixing (zisha) tea tray is more suitable for a small to medium size teapot. A perfect fit for both home and office desk.

Tea tray makes an elegant statement that at the same time is very inviting. What better way to chat with friends or have an informal meeting than over a cup of tea? In China, many business negotiations are concluded over a cup of tea.


TWO BASIC DESIGNS

Tea tray comes in two styles. There are drainer sink types and spigot types.

1. Drainer sink types come with a slotted tray, which fits a plastic drain plate underneath. You can drain out the water and spent tea leaves from the drain plate underneath anytime. The drainer sink type has many slots or openings at the top of the tea board which allows the excess liquids to directly drain into the drain plate underneath.


2. Whereas the Spigot tea trays are gently sloped; so that all liquids drain towards the drain hole. A very convenient feature! Then, there is a brass spigot coming out of the tray, allowing for attachment of a polyvinyl hose, which then drains into a bucket. This type of tea tray is more practical for heavy, repeated tea brewing sessions. Some large tea tray can be very impressive.

Trust you enjoy reading it.

Look forward to seeing you again,

James Oh