Drop in - tea set

In the beginning there was a boiling water and then the wind made a tealeaf to fall into and change its colour. Was it Buddha monk or Buddha himself? When was it? One legend says in 2373 BC legendary Emperor of China Shen Nung was the first to experience the tea. Since then tea was a cause of wars and paid for them, made people rich and others bankrupt, inspired some of most amazing social behaviours and gossips. Since tea was introduced widely to Europe in 17th century the history started changing and new era of beverages slowly begun to explode.

Tea parties, tea dances, tea breaks, and afternoon teas are few of activities that developed around this green leaf plant steeped in all sorts of teapots, samovars or mugs. Serving tea become a ritual in almost every country it gained popularity; it became as well a symbol of hospitality and politeness. All over the world visitor would be offered a cup of tea as a welcome gesture and it is an insult, in some cultures, not to drink offered tea.

Drinking tea used to be a reason to meet, to socialize and exchange news. Today it is seldom to throw a tea party unless one is elder. Coffee and alcoholic drinks took over this part of our relationships, socializing is considered as time of fun whereas tea is a boring ceremony for elderly.

“Drop in” tea set is a tool for people that want to rediscover tea-drinking ceremony, to use tea pot once again not just a huge selfish mug. Its design based on a teardrop has a certain social connotations: phrases such as: drop in for a tea, to the last drop suggest its accurate context. And not only in safety of home the ceremony can be reinvented, work environments such as offices are very good places where people meet very often and there is sometimes time to make a pot of tea and give a bit more different context to the meeting.

The shape of teardrop is so simple, almost a basic among circle, square and triangle. Sculpted drop of water by air resistance creates very ergonomic shape if applied to pottery. Common problems with teacups’ holders – sometimes too thin or too close to the cup, seem to be solved by using this shape: space for thumb finger to keep balance or rounded bottom of the handle allows lifting the cup with ease.

The set contains: teacups with saucers, teapot, sugar bowl and milk pot. It will be accompanied by a small book containing short stories with tea in a background.

Drop in tea set