Chinese tea together with its inseparable Chinese tea sets has been around for more than two centuries. China, being known as the homeland of tea, exports more than 90% of tea across the globe. Between tea, cocoa, and coffee -- tea is consumed by most number of people in the world.

People from different countries name their teas in different ways. In Russia, tea is called "cha'i", it is pronounced as "chaye" in their local tongue. China and the Philippines have more or less the same local name for tea. In China, it's called "cha" and "tsa-a" in the Philippines. They may not have the same spelling, but they do sound the same when spoken out loud.

It was only after the 17th and 18th century that Americans and Europeans were able to appreciate tea. Japan started its passion for tea after the 6th century. People around the world started enjoying their teas sometime in their lives, but there is no question that the passion for tea started in China, specifically a small town called Yixing.

Chinese teas are classified into several categories, but most of them are clustered according to how they are processed.

1. Green tea: The only variety of tea that can keep its natural color even after brewing is the green tea. Green teas that yield the perfect tea leaves are the following: Longjing tea of Zhejiang, Maofeng from the mountains of Anhui, and Biluochun of the Jiangsu province.

2. Black tea: Teas that are fermented before they are baked are classified as black teas. These teas are also known as "red teas" by tea lovers. The best tea leaves for black teas are: Suhong of Jiangsu, Qihong of Anhui, and Dianhong of Yunnan.

3. Wulong tea: Wulong tea is a combination of green tea and black tea. It is popular in the south-eastern coast of China, this includes Taiwan, Fujian, and Guandong.

4. Compressed tea: Compressed tea or "brick tea" is a variety of black tea that is compressed into a certain shaped to be stored and transported commercially to a large number of consumers. Brick teas are made in Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces.

5. Scented tea: This type of tea mixes fragrant flowers with tea leaves to create an aroma that is unique to teas. The most commonly used flowers are magnolia and jasmine.

When serving teas at afternoon tea gatherings and formal tea parties, it is proper that tea sets be used with tea. Tea sets are made of high quality porcelain, bone china, or silver, they are to be attractive as much as they are durable.

China is believed to be the cradle of tea. Historically, Chinese tea sets such as the Yixing clay pots are used to brew tea and serve it to the guess as soon as it is in the right temperature. The Yixing tea set is named after a Chinese town of Jiagsu province where tea was first brewed.

In assessing a quality of a pot, there are a number of things that a tea enthusiast should consider. Tapping the body of a pot with another pot is a simple test to determine its quality. If the light tap creates a metal like sound, then the pot is of good quality.

Another way of assessing the quality of a tea pot is to fill it with water until the water touches its rim. To see if the pot is made of high quality material, smooth flowing water should be seen when pouring the pot. Do not forget to close the lead before pouring the water since pressure inside the pot is needed to properly assess it.

When brewing from a Yixing pot, a coat like material may appear, this coat is significant since this retains the natural flavour of the tea as it is used over time. Washing it with soap will erase the coating, therefore, it is better to wash it with warm water and air-dry it. Yixing is very popular among tea aficionados because of this unique ability.

It is undeniable that tea has become a part of life for most people. Teas can be brought in a variety of mixes and flavours. Most teas taste best when they are served in their appropriate tea sets. Chinese tea sets, specifically the Yixing clay pots, are best with Chinese teas since they do not only preserve the flavour of tea, but the tradition of Chinese tea as well.

Author S. Cheng is a home and lifestyle magazine editor situated in Beijing, China. She has a fascination for Chinese Tea Sets and many other oriental style of living. Check out her site about the Chinese Tea Sets here.

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Chinese inventions were heralded throughout antiquity, and for good reason. A number of things from China, such as the compass, were adopted and used by people all over the world. But one invention in particular, porcelain Chinese tea sets, is widely regarded as the best item to come out of this country.

After its was brought to Europe, Europeans feverishly tried to master this Chinese art. Chinese porcelain was famous for its rock-solid structure and unforgettable shine that had become a status symbol, collectors item, and a fixture on dinner tables across the world.

In the beginning, European kilns produced almost nothing that could compete with the Chinese tea sets. Artisans just couldn't figure out the process. What's more, there didnt seem to be any of the right clay anywhere. The formula was confusing, and the firing techniques were just beyond their skill level.

Then a young European alchemist came on the scene. Just 19 years old, Johann Bottger was given the impossible task of turning lead into gold for the kind of Poland. When he failed, he was jailed for a long time. But it was during this period that he started to study how to make porcelain.

Supported by a local Duke, this young boy found the material he needed to produce pure white porcelain. It was found on the highest of mountains, and the duke was able to give him a healthy supply.

With hard work and little bit of of luck, Johann discovered the right ratio of clay and other materials to make pure white porcelain. And he built a kiln that could reach temperatures that matched those of the Chinese kilns.

He made tiny test tiles that were the first porcelain items ever made in Europe. But that was all he could do.

Eventually the complete process of making true Chinese tea sets was solved by a Jesuit missionary. At almost same moment of Johann Bottger's tests, Pere d'Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way to Chinas Jingdezhen. This is where the worlds finest porcelain china tea sets were made. After almost a decade, he published two letters that detailed the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. Before long, factories making porcelain were established across Europe.

Some say this would be a crime nowadays, but he got away with it!

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Purple clay from the county of Yixing is considered the best natural material for making tea sets in China. I found one shop near the Beijing Hongkun hotel that has a great selection of these teapots at reasonable prices.

Their purple clay teapots can release your tea's aroma and keep it from going tasting bad better than any other material. So many people in China like to use them.

On my visit to Chayuan Tea City at the south end of Maliandao Tea Street near the Guohong Hotel, I found some user-friendly purple clay tea cups in a shop (No. A2-10) named Qingyi, which literally means "Affection" in English. I thought it was such a cute name for a shop!

I stopped at the shelves and took in the sight of their amazing tea sets. In the end, a series of Chinese Zodiac animal tea cups caught my eye. Because of my strong curiosity, I asked a lot of questions about the cups, and the kind assistant told me that all of them were designed by the shop keeper, Mr. Xu.

I picked up a tea cup with a lovely image, a delicate small rooster standing on the lid. When I opened the lid of the tea cup, I found that there was a purple clay strainer inside! And there was another miniature rooster standing there.

You can pick it up and put the tea leaves in the bottom of the cup. Because of its tiny holes, water can pass through it and fill up the cup, and there's no need to worry about drinking any floating tea leaves.

All the prices of their tea cups are very agreeable, all less than $20. The price of the teapots depends on the quality. And you can also find a lot of different kinds of accessories for a tea ceremony, like little tea pets, and some famous Chinese tea too.

One of the shopkeepers said he was once a Beijing tour guide, so he can speak English. So it's a great idea to come here and learn about the history of Chinese tea and teaware, all while buying some great gifts!

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