The Sancai bowl is, in fact, the common lidded cup.
The Sancai bowl consists of three parts: the lid, the cup, and the saucer, symbolizing the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity. It is also known as the “Sancai Cup,” with a capacity ranging from 100 to 200 milliliters.
brewing Tea in a lidded cup allows one to fully appreciate its color, aroma, taste, and appearance.
In his essay “Drinking Tea,” Mr. Lu Xun wrote:
“To enjoy good tea, one should use a lidded cup. And so, using a lidded cup, the tea turned out clear and sweet, slightly fragrant yet subtly bitter—a truly fine tea.”
In the past, lidded cups were mostly used for brewing Flower teas, but now there are no restrictions, and they can be used for all types of tea.
When using a lidded cup, it can serve as an individual set for direct drinking or for brewing tea which is then shared among drinkers.
Before brewing tea in a lidded cup, rinse it with boiling water first, then add the tea leaves and pour in the water.
The Steeping time primarily depends on the type of tea, its compactness, and tenderness, but usually ranges from 3 seconds to 3 minutes.
Those who are new to brewing tea in a lidded cup might accidentally burn their hands. I learned this through experience, too.
Note the following points to effectively address the issue of the lidded cup being hot to handle:
① When Pouring water, do not fill the cup too full; it should not exceed the rim of the lid;
② When pouring out the tea, leave a suitable gap between the lid and the cup; a small gap will make it difficult to pour out the tea;
③ When holding the cup, use the “point grip” or “three-point line” method: place your index finger on the lid, and grasp the rim with your thumb and middle finger, avoiding contact with the body of the cup;
④ Choose a lidded cup size that fits comfortably in your hand; larger cups may be more difficult to hold steady.
Additionally, using the lid to skim off floating tea leaves or stirring them is considered impolite, as it implies a negative judgment about the quality of the tea. When hosting guests, avoid such actions to prevent any misunderstandings…