Lyty Chinese Tea Pot Cup Set with Tray

At least one reviewer reported the metal strainer rusting after washing. To prevent this, make sure to dry the strainer thoroughly after each use rather than leaving it wet in the tray or case. If rust does develop, the strainer is a small, inexpensive component that could be replaced with a stainless steel mesh strainer from any tea shop. It's a minor annoyance on an otherwise functional set, but worth knowing about so you can take care of it from day one.

The bamboo tray gets mixed reviews. It functions well — it's deep enough to catch spills during brewing, which is its main job. However, some reviewers found rough spots or splinters on the bamboo finish, and there are mentions of cracking over time. It's not a premium carved bamboo tray by any means. A light sanding of any rough edges when you first receive it can help, and keeping it dry between sessions will extend its life. For a travel set at this price point, the tray does its job, but don't expect furniture-grade bamboo craftsmanship.

It makes a solid gift for someone curious about gongfu-style brewing, especially if they've never tried it. The fact that everything comes in one case — no extra purchases needed — makes it a complete, ready-to-use gift. The white ceramic looks clean and presentable. Just be aware that this is an entry-level set, so for a serious tea collector or someone who already has gongfu equipment, they might find the quality basic. For a tea-curious friend or someone who travels a lot and loves loose leaf tea, it hits the mark well.

Absolutely — several reviewers specifically mention using it for office and workplace tea breaks. The compact size fits easily on a desk, the tray contains any mess, and the whole session takes just a few minutes. The carrying case means you can store it in a desk drawer or bag between uses. It's a big upgrade from tea bags in a mug, and the gongfu method's short steeps actually work well with an office schedule — steep a quick round, sip while you work, steep again when you're ready.

You can, but it's not ideal. The teapot is only about 6 ounces — fine for gongfu's small, concentrated steeps but frustratingly tiny if you want a normal cup of tea. You'd need to brew multiple pots to fill even a standard mug. The small cups are designed for sipping, not for settling in with a big drink. If you primarily want Western-style tea, you'd be better off with a standard teapot. This set is purpose-built for the gongfu method, and that's where it performs best.

This Lyty set is actually one of the most recommended starter gongfu sets because everything is included — teapot, cups, tray, infuser, tea leaf jar, and carrying case. You don't need to buy anything else to get started. The white ceramic is forgiving since it won't absorb flavors between different teas, so you can experiment freely. Start with 3-5 grams of loose leaf tea, steep for 15-20 seconds with hot water, and increase steeping time with each round. The low price point also means you won't stress about breaking something while you're still learning the motions. Several reviewers specifically mention buying this as their first gongfu set and being satisfied with it as a learning tool.

This is a gongfu-style set, so the brewing method is different from Western tea. Place the teapot on the bamboo tray, add tea leaves (the included leaf jar holds about 1.2 ounces), and pour hot water over them. The first steep is typically a quick rinse — pour it off through the tray. Then do short steeps of 15-30 seconds, pouring through the built-in strainer into the cups. The deep tray catches any overflow, which reviewers say works well even during inattentive morning sessions. The teapot is about 6 ounces, so you're making small, concentrated pours — that's the whole point of gongfu brewing.

Fill the included tea leaf jar with your loose leaf tea — it holds about 1.2 ounces, enough for a full session. Warm the teapot and cups by pouring hot water over them and draining through the tray. Add 3-5 grams of leaves to the pot, pour near-boiling water in, and drain immediately for a rinse. Then steep again for 15-30 seconds and pour through the strainer into the small cups. You can get 5-8 steeps from good quality leaves, gradually increasing the steep time. The deep tray catches all the runoff, so don't worry about being messy — that's part of gongfu brewing.

For a travel gongfu set like this Lyty one, ceramic is actually the practical choice. Porcelain is thinner and more delicate — not what you want bouncing around in a carrying case. This set uses a smooth-finish ceramic that reviewers say retains heat well during brewing and is easy to clean. The white ceramic also lets you appreciate the color of your tea, which is one of the advantages porcelain fans usually point to. For a dedicated home set, fine porcelain has its place, but for a portable all-in-one kit, ceramic strikes the right balance between durability and function.

The white ceramic is actually versatile here — it won't absorb or carry over flavors, so you can brew any type of tea without worry. Gongfu brewing is traditionally used for oolong, pu-erh, and Chinese green teas, which benefit from multiple short steeps that reveal different flavor notes each round. Black teas and white teas also work well. The only teas that don't suit this method are herbal blends and tea bags, which are better suited to longer Western-style steeping in a larger pot. If you want to experiment across different tea types, the neutral white ceramic is actually an advantage over Yixing clay, which absorbs flavors over time.

It depends on how you plan to brew. For Western-style brewing with large mugs, this set isn't the right fit — the teapot is only about 6 ounces. But if you're interested in gongfu-style brewing with multiple short steeps, this Lyty set checks the main boxes: complete components, a functional tray for overflow, and heat-retaining ceramic. Key things to consider are portability (this one excels with its travel case), material (ceramic is durable and neutral), and whether you want something utilitarian or decorative. This set is firmly in the utilitarian camp — reviewers describe it as a practical workhorse rather than a display piece.

In traditional Chinese gongfu tea ceremony, the host prepares tea for guests using small cups like the ones in this set. The first steep is a rinse — poured off to awaken the leaves — and serving begins with the second steep. Cups are held with both hands when receiving, and it's customary to smell the tea before sipping. With this Lyty set's compact size, it works well for intimate 2-3 person sessions. The white ceramic is actually traditional for appreciating tea color, which is part of the ceremony. That said, many buyers use this set casually at home or the office, so don't feel like you need to follow strict ceremony to enjoy it.