Tea Pets/Tea Mascots

[karmaplace]

I took some pictures the other day in a shop in the Dingshan CeramicsCity.

My goodness, I want to visit that shop. I wish they had an online catalog.

[ChinesePottery]

not sure if this counts as a tea pet, but these waste water bowls to empty the teapot into/discard used leaves have a lovely dragon built into.

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[Drax]

Wow, now that's a lot of tea pets...

Is there something with that style of frog that is special? It seems to be of something in particular....?

And... okay, I gotta ask... fake peanuts? Whu...?

[nrstooge]

IPT, love the rat - also.. I'm jealous of those rows of tea pets - nothing like it in my area.

[gargoylekitty]

Not sure if it counts either, but I definitely like that dragon.

Wow, now that's a lot of tea pets...

Is there something with that style of frog that is special? It seems to be of something in particular....?

And... okay, I gotta ask... fake peanuts? Whu...?

Are you talking about the three legged one? Here! He's pretty common as far as tea pets are concerned.

[ChinesePottery]

Wow, now that's a lot of tea pets...

Is there something with that style of frog that is special? It seems to be of something in particular....?

And... okay, I gotta ask... fake peanuts? Whu...?

Yeah. those toads are supposed to bring money in.
IPT's link that gargoylekitty pointed out has a nice description. The peanuts look very real, could have easily fooled me. Guess that's just a bit of fun for unaware tea-guests who would try and eat one/pick one up.

[IPT]

If you soak those peanuts in tea for a while, they look real. I often have a bowl of peanuts on the table in my tea shops and I always throw a couple fakes in there. It is funny to watch people's expression.

[Drax]

So very interesting... toads and peanuts.

And I guess Qilin is what the Japanese call Kirin.

I learned a lot today, and it's only 7am! Thanks everybody!

[IPT]

Yes Drax, the Qilin and Kirin are virtually the same animal.

[auhckw]

Ha ha ha ha

[Qilin]

What's the difference in anatomy between a tea pet that sprays water and one that doesn't? I'm really curious. Also, anyone knows the Chinese name for teapets?

When you raise a teapet, do you have to stick to the exact same tea like you do for yixing teapots?

[gargoylekitty]

Also, anyone knows the Chinese name for teapets?

茶宠 (cha chǒng) = 'tea pet'. Not sure if there's another way to say it.

When you raise a teapet, do you have to stick to the exact same tea like you do for yixing teapots?

Someone can correct me if I'm off, but it's my understanding that it's not so strict as with a pot, though for any change in color, using the same tea will make it 'purer' and teas like pu'erh and black will show faster.

[twinofmunin]

My guess would be that you can mix teas on a tea pet if you feel like it, because you don't care much about taste modification of the tea by your tea pet... Unless there's something profound about tea pets that I am missing (now I'm thinking "tea pet body shots", ...).

[Chip]

TeaPets like varieTEA just like people do!

[tingjunkie]

When you raise a teapet, do you have to stick to the exact same tea like you do for yixing teapots?

This is my favorite thing about my teapet. No tea pairing decisions! Just dump it all on them, even the leaf particles and stems. No brushing needed, just an occasional rub down with the tea towel every once in a blue moon. Very low maintenance.