Westminster tea porcelain

On the History of the Westminster Tea Collection

The Place of Westminster forms the historic heart of imperial Britain and, since the 17th century, the power center for the import of tea and the control of the European tea trade. Westminster was not only the seat of government but also the headquarters of the East India Company since 1600.

Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey and Prime Minister of the Great British Empire in 1833, liberalized the tea trade and abolished the East India Company’s tea monopoly. In his honor, the tea blend “Earl Grey” was named.

Inspired by these contrasting monuments of tea history, we have named our Holst Porzellan tea collection "Westminster".

Since their inception at the royal courts of Europe and the Russian Empire, porcelain and tea have been inseparable symbols of wealth and power. Enjoying tea was reserved for the rich aristocracy and the very affluent until the early 19th century.

Because both goods originated in China and their culture was adopted in Europe without a deep understanding, a belief established that a "real" tea cup had always to be made of paper-thin porcelain, or even better, of even thinner Bone China. This misconception originates with the Chinese, who enjoy their tea in paper-thin, handle-less tea bowls. However, these tea bowls are about the size of a shot glass and represent a completely different way of preparing and consuming tea than in Europe.

A very thin tea cup is only appropriate for tea if the serving volume is very small (3 to 10 cl) and the tea is consumed immediately after pouring. Subsequent refilling is then done with a samovar or a teapot placed directly over a heat source (oven or hotplate). With all due respect – that is not how we drink tea today!

The same well-documented reactions apply to tea (theine and tea oils) as to coffee (caffeine). The longer it stands, the more bitter the aromas become. A rapid cooling process promotes a negative taste development, thereby altering or spoiling the tea experience. And the idea that only the unglazed rim of a paper-thin tea cup supports the tea flavor is a myth.

A tea cup made from a semi-robust cup body not only offers the same taste profile but also keeps tea warmer for a longer period and preserves its aroma far better than a thin tea cup.

Charles Grey made many enemies with his changes, especially because he not only abolished the tea monopoly but also ended slavery in the Commonwealth. At Holst Porzellan, we dispel the myth of the thin tea cup once and for all!

The Westminster Tea Service
We all know and use the terms porcelain teapot, porcelain cup, or porcelain series, but everyone uses the word tea service rather than tea porcelain. The term tea porcelain is not common, and tea service leaves open the material from which it is made.

We Make Tea Porcelain!

The Westminster tea porcelain is made from high-quality feldspath porcelain and, when fired at over 1,320 °C, unites the mineral raw materials kaolin, quartz, and feldspath into the needle mullite found exclusively in porcelain, which imparts the ceramic cup its incredible density and stability. The applied quartz glaze protects the cup body from corrosion, scratches, and cuts and is resistant to chemical influences. Porcelain is by far the best material for enjoying tea, as it does not absorb any residues or undergo color changes.

Only genuine porcelain ensures completely worry-free tea drinking! Whether for the ill, for allergy sufferers, vegans, or highly sensitive individuals – they are all safe and protected by porcelain teapots and cups.

For details on the individual products, please refer to the respective item descriptions.