Are you the kind of person who enjoys quality time with friends over an afternoon tea party or would enjoy your own company with a cup of tea and a good book? Whichever kind you are, it is never a bad idea to have with you the best tea cups for these precious moments of the day.
If this is your first time ever looking for what tea cup is best to buy, or you are an experienced person who wants to look for what they are having in the market this year, this list featuring 15 best tea cups are on high demand in 2020 will help you out. Keep reading this article from Talbott Teas to find out which one suits your needs the most before hitting that check out button.
Best as a present | Best for family used | Best for office used | Best on the go |
$$ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
** You will find our detailed reviews of the Best Tea Cups below, also, click these following links to view the current prices and customer comments on Amazon.
Reviews: 15 Best Tea Cups For 2020
Here is one of the most elegant tea cups that are on sale on the market these days. This set comes with a stylish and elegant design that makes them very attractive. Therefore, these tea cups will upgrade the decent look of your kitchen. White-colored tea cups that easily fit any preferences will give you perfect value for your money. Amazingly, they are built to last and in order to save you money over time. With these cups, you might hardly experience any breakage or shutter as they feature superior durability.
Are you looking for something floral to add a little pattern into your simple kitchen space? These are the exact products you are searching for. The floral design that will bring your kitchen a classic and sophisticated look. Additionally, the package is also delivered in 4 pastel colors with 10 carat gold trim inside a beautiful gift box. This makes the set the perfect gift for any occasions to one of your beloveds.
This set comes with 8 pieces which could be enough for your quite big group of girl friends or your big family. You will, therefore, get the perfect value for your investment. These elegant tea cups also feature amazing durability which could save you quite an amount of money in the long run.
This is a simple Japanese style ceramic tea cup. The cup stands 4 inches tall and has a diameter of 2 and 3/4 inches. It has a green glaze on the outside, the interior is white, which allows you to see the color of your tea. There are indents around the outside that make it easier to hold. As is common with Japanese style tea cups, the interior does take on the color and flavor of tea over time. Also common is the lack of a handle. This means you may want to wait until it cools down a little before picking it up. You can put them in the dishwasher or microwave, though I would avoid doing either.
These beautifully designed Japanese tea cups are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite Japanese green tea. They are well-made, just the right size (for Asian sizes, but perhaps not for western-style tea with added milk) and sell for a great price.
This vintage-style elegant set by Eileen’s Reserve includes four cups and four saucers. The manufacturer claims that a durable design prevents the cups from chipping, even in the dishwasher. I would not trust this completely. Since they’re made out of bone china, I recommend washing them by hand and allowing them to air dry on a rack.
The classic floral design features bold colors that will stand out at your next afternoon tea party. The cups can hold up to 7 ounces of tea, and feature a thin, delicate cup and handle design that’s very reminiscent of the antique cups that grandma used.
This latest set by Kendal features a total of four cups, saucers, and spoons, made out of high-quality porcelain. They are non-porous, so they will not take on the color and odor of your teas.
The cups can hold up to 8 ounces of liquid each and feature floral designs which can choose from three different ones. All are hand-painted, which makes them very delicate and not appropriate for the dishwasher, although the manufacturer does claim that the cups are dishwasher safe. Additionally, the cups are not microwave safe due to the gold trim and they should be stored carefully in order to avoid scratching the delicate finish.
This cup and saucer set is perfect for a casual cup of tea with the family, or you can use them for your next afternoon tea with friends. The delicate hand-painted designs are very elegant and will require some extra care on your part to prevent scratches, chips, and cracks.
This floral set consists of four cups and saucers and includes an assortment of the popular rose chintz pattern style. Each cup may have a different rose chintz floral pattern, but each one does feature the same delicate gold trim and can hold up to 8 ounces of liquid. The cups and saucers are made out of fine porcelain and should be washed by hand and stored carefully.
If you’re looking for a matching set of cups and saucers, then the fact that each cup features a different type of rose chintz pattern may be a deal-breaker for you. However, tea drinkers who are looking for a unique cup and saucer set will love this mix and match set by Coastline Imports.
These glass tea cups by Kitchables are double walled, for thermal insulation. Your hot drink stays hot longer and the cups do not get too hot to the touch. Not that it matters, since they have handles anyway.
The borosilicate glass is scratch-resistant and shatter-proof. You can put these glasses in the microwave or the dishwasher, making them easy to clean. Each glass holds 8 ounces, which is 236 ml. Kitchables also give you a lifetime guarantee and have a generous return policy.
This set of four glasses does not feature any painted designs, but the double wall design insulates your drink better and they are more resistant to scratches and shattering. If you’re not looking for a vintage or traditional cup, these Kitchables are a great option.
If the above is not as sophisticated as you expected, you might change your mind looking at this beautiful set from Tea Bloom. Whether you are a fan of loose-leaf tea or flower tea, this is a great option for you. This tea set comes with its own diffuser, perfect for your favorite herbal blend.
Every piece in this set by Teabloom is crafted of strong, lead-free borosilicate glass. This flowering tea gift set comes with all the essentials for an elegant tea party: 34-40 oz 1000-1200 ml glass teapot with lid, glass infuser, warmer, four 3.4 oz. double-wall glasses, 12 unique blooming tea flowers in gift canister. This set even includes an airtight canister filled with 12 unique, foil wrapped flowering tea blossoms featuring a selection of bold and subtle flavors to explore! What a great deal!
Talking of tea cups that come in a full tea set, this is a number one bestseller of the brand named Pukka Home. This tea set has lots of good reviews and has been purchased by lots of customers. This gorgeous British royal ceramic collection includes a 22-piece tea set with pumpkin shape cups with gleaming gold trim. This set includes a 28-ounce teapot, 6 8-ounce tea cups, 6 saucers, 6 teaspoons, a sugar container with lid, and a creamer pitcher. There are 3 elegant colors for you to pick from.
This is a great option for those looking for a gift set for a special occasion, such as a wedding or royal-style tea party. This delicate set is also dishwasher safe, as featured from its manufacturer.
Royal Albert is a classic brand for vintage royal tea cups and according to them, this tea cup and saucer set possesses the best-selling dinnerware pattern in the world. Decorated with the Old Country Roses signature motif of burgundy, pink and yellow roses, accented with lustrous gold banding, holds 6.5 ounces, made out of Fine Bone China, this tea cup or we should call the Queen of royal style tea cup is simply perfect for your personal luxurious tea time experience.
This unique tea cup is made out of ceramic which has insulating properties that help keep drinks warm. Ceramic is inherently corrosion-proof so that you can count on its ability to last for many years.
A gold inlay, trending marble pattern, and gold-plated handle give the cup an air of luxury. Moreover, black/ white matte glaze finish makes it comfortable to the touch. This cup can hold a capacity of 10 oz. It comes with a wooden saucer to complete the ornate look, which is also an add-in for durable factor.
If you ask me, this is a wonderful option for an office lady with the modern look, super handy, good capacity to last for a long while, how great is that!
This convenient cup is made of high-quality borosilicate glass, which is thinner and stronger than ordinary glass and does not contain chemical silicone material, making your beverage healthier and safer, accepting temperatures of -20 °C to 150 °C. Perfect for loose tea and flower tea, tea bag, also great for serving coffee, beer and kinds of beverage. It goes with a 304 Stainless Steel Infuser - High precision infuser design to percolate the tea well. Easy to brew, you just need to put the tea into the inner cup and add water to it, close the lid for a few minutes, then remove the infuser and enjoy it.
The tea mug holds 14 oz, it makes just the right amount of tea to enjoy sipping for hours. The glass mug consists of three detachable pieces, so that it can be disassembled and cleaned easily, dishwasher and microwave safe.
Especially, according to the manufacturer - Enindel, they will offer a free replacement or refund if anything goes wrong with the product! Risk free!
Simple and stylish look, graceful handle for heat protection, high-grade infuser, this cup must be a more sophisticated version compared to the above with high quality porcelain material. The lid can be used as a tray for the infuser. While you are not sure what style of tea cup you should choose as a present, this could be a super practical gift for your friends, family, and so on.
Eco lovers alert! Add a touch of nature to your life and working space or on the go into nature. This lightweight, comfortable to hold, and all natural cup is such a hidden gem. Take it to work, camping or traveling as it fits easily into a bicycle or your car cup holders. The 18/8 stainless steel interior (guaranteed never to rust) combined with the outer bamboo layer creates an insulated double wall that can keep your coffee or tea hot for the entire commute! Great for cold beverages and brews as well.
It is designed to allow you to conveniently drink by one hand while driving or walking. This loveable cup also impressed us with guarantee policy up to 3 years!
Since I have always been a fan of classic, practical, positive design of all kinds, I saved this best tea cup set for last. Whether for your freshly brewed loose tea leaves or your favourite aromatic herbal drink, coffee,... this fine porcelain tea set will not only add style to every sip but an irresistible, classy look to your spaces, as well!
Completed with six, 7oz, premium quality, fine porcelain cups and matching saucers, this set is sure to level up your daily drinking experience. With an elegant, sophisticated design and soft, pastel colors with gold plated rims and handles, this set will instantly elevate any room décor and add a liveliness to your chinaware collection. Note: High quality porcelain is not to be placed in the dishwasher or microwave oven.
Ultimate Shopping Guide - Picking Your Best Tea Cups
It’s best when having your own carefully picked tea to drink with every tea-time, not only because of the popular-known benefits of having tea, but with your best tea cup on hand, your emotional system will thank you for boosting the vibes.
Did you know that by decently choosing your tea-equipment, you can greatly take tea-time experience to the next level, since teaware really matters when it comes to impact on the tea quality.
Don’t be confused, below are some factors I would consider before making any shopping decisions for the best tea cup, let’s check it out!
Materials
This probably the most important factor that should be considered firstly. Did you know that people in different geographic areas are influenced by their cultures’ way of picking up teaware materials? People in the East may like their tea cup porous, which has so many little cracks that hold onto tea flavor and affect tea aromatic in a certain way over time, and yes, depending on lighter or darker shades you choose, you will see the change in color as well. In the meantime, Westerners are likely to pick non-porous materials, for practical reasons such as using a tea cup for their other favorite beverages like coffee or hot chocolate, a hint taste of old tea probably does not feel tasty anymore.
Porous tea cups are generally made from ceramic, the ability to retain heat for a longer period of time is one of the reasons they are so popular. For non-porous materials, there are a wide range of selections: Porcelain, Bone China, Glass, are some of the best picks.
Shapes
If you’re a fan of a hot cup of tea on a rainy day, this might concern you while choosing a tea cup. Cup’s design can affect how long your drink stays hot. The wider the rim is, the longer your tea stays hot and vice versa. This applies to the thickness of design as well, maybe you already know, a thicker cup keeps your drink warm for longer, thus it will also take longer to reach a drinkable temperature.
While we’re talking about shapes, never forget to mention the part where your lips touch and flows of tea go into our body, where great things happen, the lips rim. For me, a thin lips rim is the best since tea can flow into our mouth gently and smoothly, this makes us taste the tea flavor at its finest moment.
Handles
Handle or no handle, that’s the question. Handles decide how comfortable you are with your cup of tea, so check again your holding a cup habit. Have you ever caught yourself holding the plain side of a cup which has a handle? Ask yourself which position is more comfortable and you are good to go.
Cups without handles are more popular in Asia, to make it easier to hold on, it tends to be smaller than regular with-handle Western-style cups. When it comes to cups with handles, the design of the handle can vary greatly from model to model. You’ll come across some pretty basic designs and also much more sophisticated designs. A formal tea often has more ornate handles and designs for tea cups.
Quantity
Depending on how much space you have in the kitchen cabinet, or wherever you will place these tea cups, you might want to consider a full set of tea cups or an individual one. You can avoid a headache when the delivery comes at your front door and you realize there’s no place for the new baby (or babies). So it’s best having something you can place nicely in your house, in the cabinet that will not ruin your neat kitchen vibes or at least, not turn it to a hotter mess.
Additionally, the way you have tea time also has an impact on making decisions about quantity. Do you usually invite friends over for tea or you’d rather have it alone? Do you enjoy tea time at home by the fireplace or at the office between busy meetings? If you like the more the merrier way of drinking tea, you may consider a full Western-style set of matching cups, usually with matching saucers and sometimes even spoons. Asian style sets never include saucers. There are also a huge range of individual cup options for those who want to enjoy some me-time. Furthermore, individual cups are a really good start for a tea cups collection of your own.
Handle With Care Tips
These days, modern cups are labeled as dishwasher safe, but putting a cup in the dishwasher is not usually a great idea. They are easier to clean than anything, so why take such a risk?
Washing Tips
Washing cups by hand is simple, however, since you want to take good care of your tea cup, here’s a few notices to remember.
As mentioned, even if the manufacturer has labeled the cups as dishwasher safe, don’t do it. Washing your cups by hand dramatically extends their life. Additionally, if you’ve purchased a tea cup that has a metal or gold trim, or a cup that’s made out of bone china, do not put them in a microwave either.
Use a soft cloth and warm gentle soapy water to wash your tea cup by hand. Avoid abrasive cleaners at all costs. If you have a cup made from porous material, avoid using soap as much as possible, since the soap will seep into the cracks and stay there. Just simply wipe the porous cup after use with a cloth.
It’s better to wash tea cups individually, separate with other dishes and don’t crowd the sink with many different cups at one. This leads to unnecessary damage such as ugly cracks, chips or scratches.
Allow the cups to completely dry before placing them in the cupboard.
A special notice for tea cups that’s made out of porcelain, it’s best to wash them in warm salt water before using them for the first time in order to extend the cup’s life. As a matter of fact, it’s always a good idea to wash your cups before you use them for the first time.
Storage Tips
Aside from how to wash tea cups, how to store them is also important. Consider the space before buying is what I recommend firstly, don’t be tempted to stack your cups into a small space where they barely fit in, or place more than two of them together, that could avoid damaging your tea cups against scratches or chipping, or much worse, breaking them when you try to pull something out of that cabinet.
Last but not least, the cups should be stored somewhere safe, away from the dishes you use every day. You better carefully store them away from dust or give them once in a while extra dust cleaning care if there are some of them you don’t use regularly.
Learn more tips in cleaning tea stain here: How To Clean Tea Stain from Cups
Best Tea Cups - Final Picks
Here’re some of my final choices for your preferences:
Best as a present | Best for family used | Best for office used | Best on the go |
The best tea cups are made out of materials that won’t have a negative impact on the flavor, aroma, and temperature of your tea. In the meantime, they should also possess a unique design that matches your style: how your kitchen looks, how you have tea, how you commute, etc..
Following above informative tips, I believe you’ll find the perfect one among hundreds of options out there. I hope this ultimate guide has helped you point out what type and style of cups you need and that you’ll find a cup/ set of cups that matches your style, reliable, durable and works best for your finances.
See more best seller of Best Tea Cups on Amazon and find the best option for you here!