The Guywan (Chinese Covered Cup) has been used in China since about 1350.
It is a brewing vessel and drinking cup in one, consisting of saucer, bowl, and lid that all function together.
The lid is used to stir the tea, serves as a filter holding back the leaves when you sip, and covers the cup and keeps the liquor warm. You keep sipping and adding water as long as the leaves yield flavor. With a high quality green tea, you should be able to brew three cups.
There is a Chinese saying that the first cup is most fragrant, the second sweetest, and the third strongest.
There is a wonderful article on the Guywan at the Atlantic if you interested in further reading.
This is my modern version of the Guywan.
I found it at World Market.
I had to have the mug with the dragons ... of course!
Complete with infuser.
It makes a fine cup of tea.
Be sure to visit all the tea parties and see the teacups on parade!
Wishing you well and a JOY filled week!
Hmmmm I'm just discovering this Tea Time Tuesday and I'm liking it. I love the idea of the three cups of tea. Today I bought blueberry tea, but could only drink one cup, whereas I can drink several cups of traditional green and black tea.
ReplyDeleteSweet mosaic of your art work on the previous post - talented lady!
Hi: How beautiful the tea cup is. Thank you so much for sharing it. Blessings, Martha
ReplyDeleteI love both cups. The Guywan is so pretty, I have one similar.
ReplyDeleteAnd your cup is very pretty with the dragons on it. I love it when they come with the inner sieve.
Thank you so much for your interesting post.
Hugs,
Terri
Hi Snap, I love your dragon tea cup.... Perfect for you!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you all been to China? My hubby taught in China several semesters --and loved it. He keeps telling me that he is going to take me sometime. We haven't made it yet!!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Love those cavorting dragons!
ReplyDeleteYou always have some special porcelain to show us, it's so elegant, just like you are!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Tuesday dear friend,
hugs
Luna and mommy Léia
What a great tea set. One of my coworkers is Chinese and tells me all sorts of neat sayings. Wisihing you a great week as well!
ReplyDeleteI love those dragons, as I know you do with your special Mr. My firend Moni is my tea expert and she makes the most unusual teas for me. Bless her. xox Corrine
ReplyDeleteI used to see the mug here at my side of the world.. we Asian, do use this mug and most of us at least have one in our home to make tea in it.. but the pattern on your mug is quite unique.. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletehave a great day!
xo
fitty
What an interesting post. I have never seen a teacup like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and for the interesting information. Also, that is a lovely saying about the three cups of tea.
Blessings,
Patti
It seams you like lots of chineese I am not a lover of the oriental things (I don't know why) but I do like the post you wrote and the infomation it contained. I also had a nosey further down and love your crafting too
ReplyDeleteLove Dawn xx
Both your cups are lovely. I like that dragon pattern you picked.
ReplyDeleteThere is an interesting video of James Norwood Pratt on You Tube and he demonstrates using the Guywan.
Hi Snap :) This was a very interesting and informative Tea post this week; I've never seen a cup like that before. And yes, that Dragon cup is most definitely you :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely Tea Tuesday!!
Warmest hugs, Brenda
What a lovely set. I love the infuser that sets in your cup that way!
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea!
Lorena
The Guywan is lovely and so functional. I'll have the second cup please... sweet makes me happy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the detailed description. Love the chinese saying you shared with us.
ReplyDelete-marie
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteI love the blue Guywan.
Well, Snap, as you know I'm a recent tea convert. So - now I need one of these Dragon Cups.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your dragon cup! And so appropriate. Covered tea cups are good for any hot drink that you don't want to cool off too quickly. I use mine for hot chocolate and coffee as well as tea. I'm sure that die-hard tea drinkers would think I'm defiling my tea cup but it works for me.
ReplyDeleteI love your dragon Guywan. I shall have to find one of these as I am turning into a tea drinker. Shocking I know with living in Starbucks world.LOL. In answer to your question about my hands... yes they get tired, so I work in spurts. I always have several projects going so I just change action for awhile. I know I am crazy...take care, Sharon
ReplyDeleteVery nice photographs of wonderful tea sets! I can almost smell the scent of the Chinese tea!
ReplyDeleteHappy tea time!
Jacoba
Beautiful cups! Love each of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
Sherry
Beautiful tea set, and wonderful info!
ReplyDeletePretty! Now that we're getting cooler weather, I'm going to have to start making my tea in the afternoons. I have one of those Chinese trays that hold the water when you're cleaning and heating the cups. Ha, I've used it maybe for a week and now it just sits all dusty in the dining room! ha.
ReplyDelete