September 18, 2021
What size are Japanese tea cups?
Japanese tea cups, known as "chawan" in Japanese, come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of a tea cup can vary depending on the type of tea being served and the occasion for which it is being used.
Traditionally, Japanese tea cups are smaller than Western-style tea cups, with a capacity ranging from 30 to 100 milliliters (1 to 3.4 ounces). The smaller size is intended to enhance the appreciation of the tea's aroma and flavor, as well as to encourage mindful and meditative drinking.
Within this range, there are several standard sizes:
* **Ochucha**: This is the smallest size, typically holding about 30 milliliters (1 ounce) of tea. It is often used for gyokuro, a high-grade green tea that is prized for its sweetness and subtle flavor.
* **Ko-chawan**: Slightly larger than ochucha, ko-chawan holds about 50 milliliters (1.7 ounces) of tea. It is a common size for serving matcha, a powdered green tea that is whisked with hot water in the cup.
* **Chu-chawan**: Mid-sized cups that hold about 70 to 80 milliliters (2.4 to 2.7 ounces) of tea. These are general-purpose cups that can be used for various types of tea.
* **Dai-chawan**: The largest size, dai-chawan can hold up to 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) of tea. It is often used for serving tea to a group, as it allows for more tea to be poured without the need for frequent refills.
It's important to note that these sizes are general guidelines, and there is a lot of variation in the actual size of Japanese tea cups. Some tea masters and ceramic artists create custom-sized cups to suit their personal preferences or the requirements of a particular tea ceremony.
Traditionally, Japanese tea cups are smaller than Western-style tea cups, with a capacity ranging from 30 to 100 milliliters (1 to 3.4 ounces). The smaller size is intended to enhance the appreciation of the tea's aroma and flavor, as well as to encourage mindful and meditative drinking.
Within this range, there are several standard sizes:
* **Ochucha**: This is the smallest size, typically holding about 30 milliliters (1 ounce) of tea. It is often used for gyokuro, a high-grade green tea that is prized for its sweetness and subtle flavor.
* **Ko-chawan**: Slightly larger than ochucha, ko-chawan holds about 50 milliliters (1.7 ounces) of tea. It is a common size for serving matcha, a powdered green tea that is whisked with hot water in the cup.
* **Chu-chawan**: Mid-sized cups that hold about 70 to 80 milliliters (2.4 to 2.7 ounces) of tea. These are general-purpose cups that can be used for various types of tea.
* **Dai-chawan**: The largest size, dai-chawan can hold up to 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) of tea. It is often used for serving tea to a group, as it allows for more tea to be poured without the need for frequent refills.
It's important to note that these sizes are general guidelines, and there is a lot of variation in the actual size of Japanese tea cups. Some tea masters and ceramic artists create custom-sized cups to suit their personal preferences or the requirements of a particular tea ceremony.