Hoobar Mini Rabbit Tea Pet

That depends on your tray size. At roughly 4 inches tall (larger than the listing suggests), this rabbit is a substantial piece that works beautifully as a focal point on a standard or large gongfu tea tray. One reviewer noted that it can crowd out tea cups on smaller trays, though. If your tray is on the compact side, measure your available space and account for a figure that's approximately double the listed dimensions. On a full-sized bamboo tea tray, it should fit comfortably alongside your teapot and cups.

It makes an excellent gift, and reviewers specifically mention this. The cute rabbit design appeals to a wide range of people — you don't need to know anything about tea to appreciate it. Tea enthusiasts will value the zisha clay material and the bubble-blowing feature as a meaningful addition to their gongfu setup. More casual recipients can display it as a charming desk ornament or seasonal decoration. Several reviewers mention that friends who received it as a gift loved it.

Spitting or water-squirting tea pets work by trapping air inside a hollow chamber — when you pour hot water or tea over them, the air expands and forces water out through a small hole, creating a 'spitting' effect. It's worth noting that this particular Hoobar rabbit does not spit water. Instead, it blows bubbles when hot tea is poured over it, which is a different but equally entertaining interactive feature. If you specifically want a spitting tea pet, you'd need to look for one designed with that internal chamber mechanism.

Absolutely — and many buyers do exactly that. Reviewers mention using it as a desk ornament, a display piece in a china cabinet, and even as spring or Easter decoration. The cute rabbit design works in all kinds of settings beyond the tea tray. It's heavy and stable enough to sit on any flat surface without tipping, and the zisha clay gives it an earthy, artisan look that fits right in with home decor.

Pouring tea over a tea pet is a core part of gongfu tea ceremony — it's both practical and meditative. The leftover tea from rinsing your leaves or warming your cups gets poured over the pet instead of being wasted. Over weeks and months, the tea seasons the clay, giving it a richer color and smoother feel. With this Hoobar rabbit specifically, pouring hot tea over it triggers a fun bubble-blowing feature, which adds a playful, interactive element to your tea ritual that reviewers really enjoy.

Dark, rich teas work best for 'seasoning' a tea pet over time — think pu-erh, dark oolong, or aged black teas. Since this Hoobar rabbit is made from zisha (purple clay), it will gradually absorb the tea's oils and develop a deeper patina the more you pour over it. The interactive bubble-blowing feature works with any hot tea, though, so don't feel limited to just dark varieties during your daily sessions.

The gold standard for tea pets is zisha clay (also called purple clay or Yixing clay), which is exactly what this Hoobar rabbit is made from. Zisha is prized because it's porous — it absorbs tea over time, developing a rich patina and subtle sheen that tells the story of your tea sessions. Cheaper tea pets are sometimes made from resin or glazed ceramic, which look nice but don't absorb tea or change character over time. Reviewers note this rabbit feels well-made and has good weight to it, so it won't tip over on your tray.

Look for three things: material, size relative to your tray, and personal connection. Material-wise, zisha clay (like this Hoobar rabbit) is the traditional choice because it absorbs tea and develops character over time. For size, be aware that this particular rabbit is larger than you might expect — around 4 inches tall according to reviewers, roughly double the listed dimensions. That makes it a beautiful focal point on a standard tea tray, but it could crowd a smaller setup. Most importantly, pick a tea pet that makes you smile every time you sit down for tea. The whole point is to add joy to your practice.

Tea pets traditionally live on your gongfu tea tray (also called a tea boat or tea table), where excess tea and water drain through a slotted surface. This Hoobar rabbit is stable and heavy enough that it won't tip over easily, so it sits well on a tea tray. That said, reviewers have gotten creative — some use it as a display piece in a china cabinet, and others use it as spring or Easter decor on a desk or shelf. It doesn't have to stay on a tea tray to be enjoyed.

At their simplest, tea pets are small clay figures that sit on your tea tray and receive the excess tea from your gongfu brewing sessions. The zisha clay absorbs tea oils over time, gradually changing color and developing a smooth, glossy patina — your tea pet literally grows with your tea practice. This Hoobar rabbit takes it a step further with a bubble-blowing feature that activates when you pour hot tea over it, adding a playful interactive element. Reviewers confirm the bubbles work and find them delightful.

This Hoobar rabbit is actually a great beginner tea pet — it's purely decorative with an interactive twist, so there's no special technique to learn. Place it on your tea tray, and whenever you have leftover tea (from rinsing leaves, warming cups, or pouring off excess), pour it over the rabbit. Hot tea will trigger its bubble-blowing feature, which is a fun little reward during your session. Over time, the zisha clay will absorb the tea and develop a richer color. That's really all there is to it — no special knowledge needed.

Generally, you don't wash tea pets with soap — that would strip away the tea oils that give the clay its character. After each session, just rinse your Hoobar rabbit with clean water and let it air dry. The whole appeal of a zisha tea pet is that it builds up a patina over time from absorbing tea. Some tea enthusiasts even use a soft brush to gently polish the surface as it develops. Think of it like seasoning a cast iron pan — the buildup is a feature, not a flaw.

Zisha (literally 'purple sand') clay comes from the Yixing region of China and has been used for teaware for centuries. What makes it special for tea pets is its porosity — the clay absorbs tea oils with every session, gradually developing a richer color and a smooth, almost glossy patina. This Hoobar rabbit is made from zisha, so it's not just a decoration but a living part of your tea practice that evolves over time. It's the same clay prized for traditional Yixing teapots, which gives this tea pet an authentic connection to Chinese tea culture.

Tea pets come in all shapes — frogs, pixiu dragons, pigs, and monks are all classics — but cute animal designs like this Hoobar rabbit are among the most popular right now. Rabbits symbolize luck and longevity in Chinese tea culture, and this one's zisha (purple clay) construction gives it traditional credibility. Reviewers consistently call it 'adorable' and 'very cute,' which probably explains why rabbit tea pets keep showing up on tea trays everywhere.