August 11, 2020

Drink in Style

These days, we’re spending more time at home—which means we’re spending more time looking at the stuff in our homes. Desks that were once adequate must now be upgraded to work-at-home conditions; lack of movie theaters might mean bigger TVs; and teaware that was once acceptable is now looking for a stylish refresh.

Teaware for the Summer

Some might question why upgrading teaware in the middle of summer (and the middle of a pandemic) takes priority. What use have we for teapots, saucers, and spoons? Isn’t it too hot to drink tea?

Surprisingly, research published in 2012 by Dr. Ollie Jay, Associate Professor in Thermoregulatory Physiology at the University of Sydney, shows that hot drinks can actually cool you down.

It’s as simple as this: when you drink hot tea, you start sweating—and as the sweat evaporates from the surface of your skin, it removes excess heat by converting liquid to vapor. Whatever heat is added to your body is offset by the cooling effects of sweating.

So as people spend more time sweating and socializing at home, they focus on creature comforts like tea rituals, bread-baking, and DIY projects. Everyday items take on more significance, and that includes teaware.

Origins of Teaware

Teaware is traced to China and Japan where tea-drinking began, and was imported to Europe in the 17^th century. By the middle of the 18^th century, Europe began producing its own porcelain, which led to further teaware developments. The most notable is the addition of handles on teacups (presumably, to prevent burning your fingers from scalding hot water).

Over time, teaware patterns featured natural flowers and animals—and today, there’s no end to the variety of teapots, saucers, cups, and spoons.

Teaware to Stay on Trend

Nepali Tea Traders offers modern teaware to mix with the ancient art of tea-drinking. Spruce up your everyday rituals as you sweat and socialize at home.