Tea tongs, also known as tea chopsticks, are small tea accessories used when warming and washing cups. Since the water used for warming cups is sometimes quite hot, and the openings of the waste water bowl or tea bowls are relatively small, tea tongs were created for convenience. Though unassuming, they are actually a very handy and practical gongfu tea tool.
Tea tongs may seem humble, but they are quite practical, and we recommend every tea lover keep a set on hand. Their main purpose is to move teacups while warming them up to prevent scalding your fingers, making it much easier to maneuver them in the waste water bowl. They are also useful when washing cups, primarily for hygiene reasons.
Aside from warming and washing cups, tea tongs have many other practical uses. They can be used to pick up loose tea leaves—whether you’re inspecting them or clearing out spent leaves from the bottom of a teapot. Additionally, if tea dregs get stuck in your tea tray or strainer, you can easily clear them out with tea tongs.
Tea tongs are commonly made from metal, wood, or bamboo. Wooden and bamboo tongs naturally offer a more classic aesthetic, while metal ones tend to be more durable. When choosing a pair, it’s best to test how well they fit your teacups and how comfortable they are to grip.