Mozentea Bamboo Gongfu Tea Tray Mini

With this mini-sized tray, you'll want to keep your setup compact — it works best with a small teapot or gaiwan (100ml or less) and one or two tasting cups. Place your brewing vessel in the center, pour hot water over it to warm it up, and let the excess drain through the slats. Brew your tea, pour into your cups, and the tray catches any drips along the way. Because of its compact 10.6" x 5.4" footprint, this is really designed for solo tea sessions rather than serving multiple guests.

For this Mozentea mini tray, you'll typically place a small gaiwan or teapot (100ml or under), a fairness pitcher if space allows, and one or two tasting cups. Reviewers note that fitting a teapot, decanter, and cup all at once can be tight on this size, so most people use it for a simple, pared-down setup. That minimalist approach is actually part of the appeal — it keeps your gongfu practice focused and uncluttered.

This Mozentea bamboo tray has a two-piece design — a slatted top surface where you place your teapot and cups, and a bottom tray that collects any water that drains through. During gongfu brewing, you pour hot water over your teapot and rinse your vessels freely, and the water flows down into the reservoir below. One thing to note: the reservoir on this mini tray holds around 8oz before it needs emptying, so during longer sessions you'll want to dump it out periodically.

It can, yes — and this is the most important maintenance point to know about. Multiple reviewers mention that if you leave water sitting in the tray for extended periods or overnight, the bamboo can warp, which sometimes causes the inner tray to rock slightly. The fix is simple: dry it off after each session and don't let water sit in the reservoir. Some reviewers actually note that a bit of natural warping adds character rather than ruining the tray, but if you want to keep it flat, regular drying is key.

Most reviewers find it holds up well to regular use — it withstands repeated hot water exposure and many rinses without losing its appearance. That said, there are occasional reports of cracking, and the bamboo does need some basic care to stay in good shape. The key is not leaving water in it for long periods. Treat it the way you'd treat any bamboo kitchen item — dry it after use — and it should last well through regular brewing sessions.

This is actually one of its strongest use cases. The compact 10.6" x 5.4" footprint fits easily on a desk without taking over your workspace, and several reviewers specifically mention using it for desk-based brewing. It catches drips and spills neatly, keeping your desk dry. Just keep a small towel handy to wipe down the tray after your session so the bamboo stays in good shape.

It's actually one of the better entry points into gongfu brewing. The simple bamboo design doesn't have any complicated features to figure out, and the small size makes the whole practice feel approachable rather than overwhelming. It's affordable enough that you're not making a big financial commitment while you're still learning. Reviewers who use it for desk brewing and solo sessions find it does the job well for getting started with the gongfu method.

Honestly, a couple of reviewers mention the engraving of the Chinese characters isn't great — it's been called poor quality. If the decorative aspect matters to you, that's worth knowing. Functionally, it doesn't affect how the tray performs, and the overall bamboo construction and clean aesthetic still get positive marks. But if you're looking for a display-quality piece with beautiful detailing, this may fall short.

The most important thing is drying it after each use — pour out the collected water from the reservoir and give both the top slatted piece and the bottom tray a quick wipe. Don't leave water sitting overnight, as that's what causes warping and can eventually lead to cracking. Beyond that, bamboo is naturally resistant to hot water and holds up well with basic care. Some people occasionally oil their bamboo trays with food-safe mineral oil, which can help preserve the finish over time.

A tea tray catches all the spills and drips that are a natural part of gongfu tea brewing. When you're rinsing your teapot, warming your cups, or pouring off excess water, it all goes into the tray instead of onto your desk or table. Reviewers of this Mozentea tray specifically mention it saves them from going through paper towels and keeps their brewing area tidy during sessions.

Tea trays come in several styles — large wooden trays with built-in drain hoses, ceramic trays, stone trays, and compact bamboo trays like this Mozentea one. The main differences are size, drainage method, and material. This particular tray is a mini bamboo reservoir-style, meaning water collects in a bottom tray you empty by hand. Larger trays often have a tube that drains into a bucket underneath. For someone just getting into gongfu or brewing at a desk, a compact bamboo tray like this is a practical starting point without the bulk.