How We Determine the Size & Capacity of Our Teawares

These are the measures that we use to measure the size & capacity of Tea Trekker’s teapots and teacups.

Height
Functional Capacity

tpot-tok_yokei_vine_hand tpot-cl_tok_hosflat

TEAPOTS:

Height: is noted in the basic information chart for each teapot. This is a good indicator of the overall size of each teapot.
We measure to the top point of whatever type of handle there is; which could be arching above the teapot, or could be a knob or post on the lid (see images) so that you will know the required spacing for the shelf on which you will be placing it for storage.

We measure in inches – for conversion to metric measure, here is a handy tool:

http://www.metric-conversions.org/length/inches-to-millimeters.htm

Functional Capacity: this measure is the amount of water that the teapot is designed to hold and takes into account a proportionate measure of tea.

We measure the functional capacity of our teapots by looking inside the teapot and noting the location of the filter screen that prevents the leaf from exiting the teapot. We also note the type and shape of the screen and its location relative to the pouring position of the spout.

We put water into the body of the teapot up to the level at which the base of the teapot’s spout is slightly submerged (visualizing the spout’s base through whichever type of screen a particular teapot has). This fill is traditionally the amount of liquid that potters use as the gauge for the amount of liquid that will pour well from the spout and which will not spill out from the lid of the teapot as you tilt the teapot.

We pour this water out through the spout into a measuring cup and subtract a little to allow for the displacement of the tea leaf that will be added to the teapot.

When steeping tea, the dry tea leaves will absorb some of this water, so the yield of steeped tea will be slightly less than this volume, depending on the amount of tea added to the teapot and the type of tea being prepared.

TEACUPS:

tcup-jap_mogaki_kosh   tcup-ch_whbl_scene

Height: is noted in the bullet points for each teacup. This is a good indicator of the overall size of a teacup. We measure in inches – for conversion to metric measure, here is a handy tool:

http://www.metric-conversions.org/length/inches-to-millimeters.htm

Functional Capacity: we measure the functional capacity of our teacups by filling the cup with water to the level that seems appropriate – not so full that it will spill if carried and not so empty that it presents as a stingy serving. Generally Asian-style teacups are filled approximately 2/3rd full.

We do not allow for any additions of milk, sugar, honey, etc so including any of these will reduce the capacity that we give.