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Caring for Your China Tea Set

susanw | Jun 24, 2010 |

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China tea sets, so named because of their origin, are a fine addition to any homemakers' kitchen or dining room. The more expensive china sets are made from fine bone china. Normally a tea set consists of cups and saucers, and some may also include a teapot, sugar pot and small milk pitcher.

There are many different types of teasets available with prices ranging anywhere from $20 to anywhere over $200 or more. What determines the price of a tea set? Usually it is determined by the quality of the china itself, with thicker, plainer tea sets costing considerably less than the very fine bone china tea set. Naturally, genuine antique tea sets can cost quite a bit more. Oftentimes tea sets are handed down, some for several generations. There was once a time when every home boasted at least one fine china tea set which was usually reserved exclusively for entertaining guests.

There are different styles of tea sets. Western tea sets differ from Asian tea sets, which are usually used to drink green tea or oolong tea. Western style tea sets are usually used for serving regular black tea. The cups are larger with a handle. Some are plain without any patterns, while others have intricate designs. The more common design featured on fine china is usual a floral pattern, often with gold accents or a gold rim around the cups and plates.

If you are buying a china tea set make sure that it is both dishwasher and microwave safe. Most china is these days, although any set with a metal rim would not be safe for the microwave. While china is often dishwasher safe many people still opt to hand wash their fine china. The finer the china, the more the likelihood that it may become chipped, or damaged in the dishwasher. If you must wash your best china tea set in the dishwasher make sure that there are few other items in the dishwasher and take care with stacking or placing the china ware in the dishwasher. Of course, older china tea sets that have been handed down from generation to generation generally are not dishwasher, nor microwave safe.

If you go to all the expense of investing in a fine china tea set, do make sure that you take good care of it and that you are careful when washing and storing your tea set. Some people opt to leave it on display in a glass door kitchen cabinet or on a sideboard. If you leave your tea set out, remember to dust it from time to time and wash it well before using it to serve tea.