Have you ever heard of a pet for your tea? It might sound unusual, even a bit whimsical at first. When I first encountered the term “Tea Pets” online, I admit, I was puzzled. Was it a typo? Some sort of strange tea accessory? It wasn’t until I saw a photo of a tea pet shared by Nicole from Tea For Me Please that my curiosity was truly piqued. Discovering that tea pets were indeed a real part of tea culture, and not just oddly named teapots, I embarked on a quest to find one of my own at the Toronto Tea Festival.
So, let’s revisit the initial question: What exactly is a tea pet?
Well, quite literally, a tea pet is a companion to keep you company during your tea moments.
Traditionally, a tea pet is a small figurine, often made of clay, that sits on your tea table and shares in your tea ritual.
While tea pets can be crafted from various materials, they are frequently made from Yixing clay, similar to the renowned Yixing teapots. This unglazed clay, with its slightly rough texture, is ideal for absorbing tea.
How to “Raise” Your Tea Pet: The Fun Part
Here’s where the charm of tea pets truly unfolds!
As you prepare and enjoy your tea, you can also “feed” your tea pet. This ritual transforms it into more than just a decoration; it becomes a little companion you nurture and care for.
To feed your tea pet, simply pour tea over it, ensuring you cover its surface. You can even use a tea brush to gently “pet” it and distribute the tea evenly. This act of sharing your tea enhances the personal connection with your tea pet.
The “Menu” for Your Tea Pet: What to Feed Them
What liquids are suitable for your tea pet to “drink”? You have several options:
- The warm water used to preheat your teaware before brewing your tea.
- The rinse water from washing your tea leaves (the first brief infusion).
- Any leftover steeped tea from your session.
The clay of the tea pet will absorb these liquids, gradually taking in the tea’s color and aroma. Over time, you’ll notice a subtle change in the clay’s appearance, a testament to the tea you’ve shared with it. This gradual transformation is part of the joy of owning a tea pet.
The world of tea pets is wonderfully diverse. They come in all sizes, from tiny to quite large, and in designs ranging from simple and understated to intricately detailed.
Whether you prefer animals, people, insects, or even mythical creatures, the same principle applies: keep your tea pet “hydrated”! Regularly “feed” your tea pet to enhance its character and appearance over time.
Beyond aesthetics, some tea pets have added playful features. If you spot small holes in your tea pet’s design, it might be a “peeing” tea pet that squirts out tea when you pour liquid on it, or even a “bubble-blowing” tea pet.
Furthermore, certain tea pets carry symbolic meanings, particularly in Chinese culture. For example, the pig is a symbol of good fortune and happiness in Chinese tradition, which explains the popularity of pig tea pets. Owning a pig tea pet can be seen as inviting good luck into your tea space.
Here’s a glimpse into my own growing family of tea pets:
Buddha Tea Pet
My very first tea pet was this serene meditating Buddha, a lucky find at the ZhenTea booth during the 2015 Toronto Tea Festival. This Buddha is a classic example of a purely aesthetic tea pet.
While my Buddha tea pet doesn’t have any special features beyond absorbing tea, its appearance has subtly changed over time, deepening in color with each tea session. This quiet transformation makes my Buddha tea pet a constant favorite.
The next two tea pets joined my collection more recently, purchased from Adagio’s website using a gift certificate. I was thrilled to discover that Adagio, primarily known for tea, also offered tea pets!
Pig Tea Pet
Meet Petunia. The name popped into my head the moment I unwrapped her (perhaps influenced by Looney Tunes’ Petunia Pig!). While I’m not particularly fond of flowers, I’ve always loved the name Petunia.
Even though pig tea pets are quite common, I had wanted one for a while because of its symbolic meaning. You might notice a tiny hole in Petunia’s mouth. She doesn’t squirt tea, but she occasionally blows tea bubbles when I share my brews with her, adding a touch of whimsy to tea time.
Bird Tea Pet
My bird tea pet is quite substantial in size, and I especially admire the intricate details of the bird and its perch. Although this particular tea pet doesn’t have any special effects when fed tea, it features a small indentation on its side that collects a pool of tea. This bird tea pet is currently nameless, so name suggestions are welcome!
As anyone with more than one tea pet might attest, collecting them can become a delightful habit. I truly enjoy decorating my tea table and tea space with these charming little tea companions!
Where to Find Your Own Tea Companion: Buying Tea Pets Online
Ready to adopt your own tea pet? Here are a few examples of the diverse range of tea pets available online:
- Happy Piggy
- Four Drinking Pigs
- Pee Boy
What kind of tea pets grace your tea table? Share your tea pet stories in the comments below!
