Clay Tea Pet - Buddha's Hand Citron

Measures approx. X x X".

A “tea pet” is a small clay figure used as decoration or for good luck when drinking tea. It can be used to accompany gongfu cha, a Chinese method of brewing tea (typically oolong and pu-erh) that uses frequent, short infusions and specific brewing temperatures – often regulated by pouring hot water over the tea utensils and rinsing the tea leaves. Like the tea utensils, tea pets are made from unglazed and porous Yixing clay, from the region near Yixing in Jiangsu province, China.

You can “raise” or season your tea pet by placing it on the tea tray during tea time and pouring hot water, tea rinsing water, or leftover tea over it. Due to the porous nature of the clay, it will absorb the tea’s aromas over time, eventually developing a patina from the oils. We recommend avoiding black teas and using only one type of tea to feed your tea pet.