Every Sunday, we would get in the car and drive across town to visit my grandparents. My mother and grandmother would sit and have tea. As a very young girl, I was invited to participate in this weekly ritual. When I was very young, I had my own miniature tea set that I enjoyed.

As I grew older, I was able to sit with the ladies and drink from the English bone china tea set. I remember that I looked forward to seeing which set my grandmother would use. Years later, I found that the tea sets were also a feast for the eyes.

These dainty pretty cups are a far cry from today’s coffee mugs and cups.  They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any table setting. A beautiful plain tablecloth can be transformed into a memorable table setting in just a few minutes. This is what memories are made of: sharing, enjoying another’s company and a good cup of tea, served in a dainty tea cup.

There is something about drinking out of a proper tea cup that makes tea taste better. As a young girl, I appreciated the beauty and elegance of these delicate cups. I unknowingly became hooked at collecting these pieces of beauty.

The manufacturers of tea cups and tea pots started to make the cups and saucers as a stand alone purchase. That means that the cups and saucers were not necessarily part of a dinner or tea service. This is the reason when you go to your favorite tea room you will see a very eclectic setting of tea cups.

More on china tea sets

For those who dismiss this hobby of collecting as being “common” really shows how little they know about the history of tea cups and tea ware.

Collecting tea cups, saucers or tea pots is a hobby that every one can afford. The price range can vary from as little as 25 cents at a yard sale to $250 for the more upscale manufacturers such as Royal Doulton china or Royal Albert china.

There is nothing common about English bone china or Royal Doulton. When bone china was developed, it was found to hold bright colors and patterns.  The Royal Albert and the Royal Doulton companies have created a plethora of patterns to please.

Collecting china tea sets is making a comeback. With the growing trend of tea drinkers comes an appreciation of the taste of a cup of tea from a proper tea cup. In a society where our lives are so busy and hectic, many are finding the time to sit and appreciate the finer moments of life. Drinking a cup of tea from a tea cup is an old tradition that is making a comeback.

Many enjoy the sense of refinement and tradition while drinking out of a proper tea cup. If you have found some very special settings in the back of your cupboards, or have had once loved tea ware passed down from another generation, it is a great time to take them out and use them.

Be careful, if you are not a collector of china tea sets, you may find yourself overcome by the beauty of the tea cup and surprised by the taste of the tea when it is served in a proper tea cup. The experience will have you hooked and anticipating your next tea experience. You will want to join a growing group of tea lover’s trying to rekindle some tradition and refinement in their life.

Connie Bednar has been a tea enthusiast all her life. Being a tea drinker naturally causes an appreciation of fine china and collectible tea cups and tea sets. Learn more about collecting bone china tea sets at her web site here Sign up for her informative newsletter while you visit. Here is another article you won’t want to miss on collecting.

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