FAQ
Tea boats (壶承) in Chinese literally mean a vessel that supports the teapot or gaiwan. A good tea boat should meet three criteria: it must be heat-resistant, able to hold water, and easy to clean. Tea boats are mostly used with the "dry brewing method" to catch water that overflows from the gaiwan or teapot, keeping the table clean. They are often paired with a mat to protect the teapot or gaiwan from scratches.
The dry brewing method involves using a tea mat, tea boat, and wastewater bowl instead of a heavy tea table. Any spilled or excess wastewater is poured directly into the wastewater bowl. The benefits of the dry brewing method are its elegance and simplicity in arrangement. It is also more flexible. It allows you to mix and match tea mats, tea boats, and other accessories to fit your preferences. This method is not fixed to one location. You can set it up easily anywhere you like.