This tea bowl from ceramicist Zhang Yun Cheng is thrown with a textured stoneware and fired in a wood-burning kiln for five days. The atmospheric patterns of ash and carbon as they move through the kiln enhance the rusticity of the bowl’s texture, drawing out grog and flecks of iron oxide in the clay and elevating these tactile elements to the surface of the form. This piece received extra attention from the artist, who pre-seasoned the bowl with tea for over a week, creating a subtle iridescence that will continue to develop with time and use.

In Japan, tea bowls are traditionally used to drink whisked powdered tea (matcha). In Taiwan, they are often used to drink loose leaf tea. We use our tea bowls for both practices, but are particularly fond of the latter approach. It's quite simple - and works wonders on most of our teas.

Simply warm a tea bowl, add tea leaves, and add water. We suggest using 1 to 2 grams less tea than our normal recommended dosage and filling the bowl 2/3 of the way to the top. Sip at leisure, and add more water when you run low.

This bowl is one of a kind.

Usage and care: To wash, simply rinse between uses or hand scrub with mild detergent.