Serving Tea to Guests: A Gentle Moment of Hospitality
Hello everyone, I'm Keko, one of the online staff members.
When guests come to visit,
offering a carefully prepared cup of tea is one of the simplest—and most heartfelt—ways to say, “Welcome.”
Today, I’d like to share a few thoughts on how to serve tea in a gentle and thoughtful way,
balancing both traditional etiquette and everyday comfort.
🍃 Where to Serve Tea?
Traditionally, in Japan, tea is prepared in a separate room and brought to the guest on a tray.
But in many modern homes, it’s become more common to brew and serve tea right in the same room—
while chatting, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.
There’s something beautiful about making tea right there at the table:
the scent of the steam, the sound of the pouring, the warmth of being together.
🍵 About Tea Saucers (Chataku)
In formal Japanese tea settings, chataku—wooden or metal saucers—are often paired with teacups to match their size and material:
Lighter teacups (like porcelain) might pair with lacquered saucers.
Heavier or earthenware cups go well with wooden ones.
When using wooden saucers with visible grain, placing the grain horizontally is considered proper.
But of course, not every home uses chataku these days.
And that’s perfectly okay.
In many households, especially outside Japan,
serving tea in a large ceramic mug with a tea bag is just as lovely—
especially when it comes with a warm smile and a shared conversation.
🍡 Serving Tea and Sweets
If you’re offering a sweet treat along with the tea,
traditionally in Japan, the tea is placed on the guest’s right, and the sweet on the left.
If your teacup has a design or illustration, it's polite to face that design toward the guest.A small detail, but a kind one.
And if you’re enjoying tea together,
it's nice to use matching cups—not one for you, one for the guest.
It’s a quiet way of saying, “We’re sharing this moment.”
☕ Receiving Tea, Too
When accepting a cup of tea, holding the cup with both hands—one supporting the bottom, one gently around the side—
creates a graceful, caring gesture.
If you’ve been offered tea, one small kindness you can return is to enjoy it while it’s still warm.
That’s part of the exchange, too.
Whether you follow every formality or not,
tea has a way of bringing people closer.
It’s not just about the drink,
but about the moment it creates.
I hope your next tea time, with friends or family,
will be one of quiet kindness.