While it can be cozy and relaxing to curl up with a mug of tea an increasing number of people are starting to want to serve tea in a more traditional way. This is one reason why the concept of a traditional tea set is becoming more and more popular. If you are thinking about buying one of the beautiful fine English bone china tea sets that are available, here is what you need to know about how to choose one and then how to keep it looking beautiful long after you have brought it home.
There are many different materials on the market that are used to make these items. For many people, it can be confusing when trying to compare fine china, porcelain and bone china. One of the largest differences is the fact that bone china has dust from cow bones mixed into the clay before the piece is created. It also has a softer texture than porcelain although it is still hard and fairly durable.
All china is made up of clay. Often, more than one type of clay is used to make up a piece. In the case of bone china, an additional ingredient is added. Bones are ground very finely and the resulting dust is added into the clay mix. It adds strength but it also causes the pieces to be brittle and easy to break. If you want to make sure you are buying authentic bone china you need to look for between 30 and 45 percent bone dust.
While it has a hard surface, the fact is that bone china can be broken. It does not bend well and this makes it brittle. You may also find that older sets develop cracks in the finish. Some can be seen by looking at a piece while others need to be held up to the light in order to see damage. If you love a piece and simply want it to use rather than to collect, these cracks should not cause you any concern.
Cleaning your set is something that needs to be done properly. This is a time when it is easier to accidentally damage one of your items. You also need to be careful when putting your items into storage regardless of whether it is just for a short time or if you are packing items away for a longer period of time.
If you are cleaning your set, it is a good idea to do so by hand. This is especially true if the set has metal accents on any part of the pieces. This is because the heat of a dishwasher can soften the metal and cause it to come off if it is not allowed to cool. You also want to make sure that the handles are not hit or struck during cleaning as they can break.
Storage doesn't need to be complicated depending on how long the pieces will be tucked away for. Obviously if they are being put into storage or are being moved from one location to another they will need to be wrapped more carefully but if you are just setting them into a china cabinet the process can be much less complex. For example, make sure that cups are not stacked. This prevents strain on the handle.
If you learn how to care for your set properly it can be amazing how durable and functional these items can be. You do not need to be limited to simply bringing it out when you want to serve guests a formal tea. You can also enjoy it for years to come and even hand it down to your children once they are old enough to appreciate it.
There are many different materials on the market that are used to make these items. For many people, it can be confusing when trying to compare fine china, porcelain and bone china. One of the largest differences is the fact that bone china has dust from cow bones mixed into the clay before the piece is created. It also has a softer texture than porcelain although it is still hard and fairly durable.
All china is made up of clay. Often, more than one type of clay is used to make up a piece. In the case of bone china, an additional ingredient is added. Bones are ground very finely and the resulting dust is added into the clay mix. It adds strength but it also causes the pieces to be brittle and easy to break. If you want to make sure you are buying authentic bone china you need to look for between 30 and 45 percent bone dust.
While it has a hard surface, the fact is that bone china can be broken. It does not bend well and this makes it brittle. You may also find that older sets develop cracks in the finish. Some can be seen by looking at a piece while others need to be held up to the light in order to see damage. If you love a piece and simply want it to use rather than to collect, these cracks should not cause you any concern.
Cleaning your set is something that needs to be done properly. This is a time when it is easier to accidentally damage one of your items. You also need to be careful when putting your items into storage regardless of whether it is just for a short time or if you are packing items away for a longer period of time.
If you are cleaning your set, it is a good idea to do so by hand. This is especially true if the set has metal accents on any part of the pieces. This is because the heat of a dishwasher can soften the metal and cause it to come off if it is not allowed to cool. You also want to make sure that the handles are not hit or struck during cleaning as they can break.
Storage doesn't need to be complicated depending on how long the pieces will be tucked away for. Obviously if they are being put into storage or are being moved from one location to another they will need to be wrapped more carefully but if you are just setting them into a china cabinet the process can be much less complex. For example, make sure that cups are not stacked. This prevents strain on the handle.
If you learn how to care for your set properly it can be amazing how durable and functional these items can be. You do not need to be limited to simply bringing it out when you want to serve guests a formal tea. You can also enjoy it for years to come and even hand it down to your children once they are old enough to appreciate it.
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