A tea pet is a small unglazed clay figure used during Chinese gongfu tea sessions. You place it on your tea tray and pour leftover tea over it each time you brew. Over weeks and months, the porous clay absorbs the tea and gradually changes colour — developing a smooth, polished surface called a patina. No two tea pets end up looking the same.
We carry six Yixing clay tea pets from $10 to $45, handmade in Jiangsu Province, China. Ships from our Tea Bar in Hobart.
Which one to start with
Little Chick — $10
Our smallest at 2cm tall. Good if you want to try the tea pet habit without spending much, or if your tea tray is compact.
Chubby Cat — $30 (orange or black)
The one we recommend most to first-timers. Solid size, shows colour change clearly, and the round shape is easy to pour over evenly.
Resting Cat — $35 (two poses)
Pale cream clay that shows dramatic colour development. Choose "Stretch Out" or "Belly Up" — both lie flat, so they work on shallow trays.
Little Mouse — $45
Made from Duanni clay (lighter, sandy tone), with a rounded storybook-like shape and fine carved detail. The most detailed in the collection — a good gift for someone who likes characterful teaware.
Stone Double Frog & Fruit Frog — $28 each
Spitting tea pets — soak in cold water, pour hot tea, and they shoot water arcs. Fun for guests and kids. They transform like any other tea pet between the spitting.
Best teas for feeding
Oolong creates warm amber-brown tones. Pu-erh produces deeper, earthier colours. Most teas work — these two just show the most visible results.
New to tea pets? Read our complete guide to choosing, feeding, and caring for your tea pet.
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