Scarification (botany)Scarification in botany involves weakening, opening, or otherwise altering the coat of a seed to encourage germination. Scarification is often done mechanically, thermally, and chemically. The seeds of many plant species are often impervious to water and gases, thus preventing or delaying germination. Any process designed to make the testa (seed coat) more permeable to water and gases is known as scarification.
ImbibitionImbibition is a special type of diffusion that takes place when liquid is absorbed by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume. Water surface potential movement takes place along a concentration gradient; some dry materials absorb water. A gradient between the absorbent and the liquid is essential for imbibition. For a substance to imbibe a liquid, there must first be some attraction between them.
TeapotA teapot is a vessel used for steepingtea leaves or a herbal mix in boiling or near-boiling water and serving the resulting infusion called tea; usually put in a teacup. It is one of the core components of teaware. Teapots usually have an opening with a lid at their top, where the dry tea and hot water are added, a handle for holding by hand, and a spout through which the tea is served. Some teapots have a strainer built-in on the inner edge of the spout.
SpoonA spoon (UK: , US: ) is a utensil consisting of a shallow bowl (also known as a head), oval or round, at the end of a handle. A type of cutlery (sometimes called flatware in the United States), especially as part of a place setting, it is used primarily for transferring food to the mouth (eating). Spoons are also used in food preparation to measure, mix, stir and toss ingredients and for serving food.
Tea strainerA tea strainer is a type of strainer that is placed over or in a teacup to catch loose tea leaves. Despite the invention of the tea bag, it continues to be used widely as of 2026.
Tea bagA tea bag (also spelled teabag) is a small, porous, sealed bag or packet typically containing tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) or the leaves of other herbs, which is immersed in water to steep and make an infusion. Originally used only for making tea, they are now made for other tisanes (herbal "teas") as well. Tea bags are commonly made of filter paper or food-grade plastic, or occasionally of silk cotton or silk. The tea bag performs the same function as a tea infuser.
TongsTongs are a type of tool used to and objects, often too hot to hold, instead of holding them with the hands. There are many forms of tongs adapted to their specific use. Design variations include resting points so that the working end of the tongs does not come into contact with a bench surface. Tongs are known to have been used by the Ancient Egyptians. The first tongs were probably basic wooden tongs, which were eventually followed by bronze bars from as early as 3000BC.
MeshA mesh is a barrier made of interlaced strands of metal, fiber or other flexible or ductile materials. A mesh is similar to a web or a net in that it has many interwoven strands.SteepingSteeping is the soaking of an organic solid, such as leaves or coffee granules, in a liquid (usually water) to extract flavours or to soften it. The specific process of teas being prepared for drinking by leaving the leaves in heated water to release the flavour and nutrients is known as steeping. Herbal teas may be prepared by decoction, infusion, or maceration. Some solids are soaked to remove an ingredient, such as salt, where the solute is not the desired product.
MugA mug is a type of cup, a drinking vessel usually intended for hot drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. Mugs have handles and usually hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cups such as teacups or coffee cups. Typically, a mug holds approximately 250–350 ml (8–12 US fl oz) of liquid. A mug-shaped vessel much larger than this tends to be called a tankard. Mugs typically have a straight-line profile, either perpendicular or flaring.
TeaBrewed beverage made from tea leavesTea is an aromaticbeverage prepared by infusion of hot or boilingfresh water with fresh or curedleaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreenshrub native to East Asia that originated in the borderlands of southwestern China, northeast India and northern Myanmar. Tea has a stimulant effect in humans primarily due to its caffeine content. After plain drinking water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.
Tea leaf gradingEvaluation of quality and condition of tea leaves Tea leaves of different sizes just after plucking; value is inversely proportional to size Basic leaf grades of black tea, as used in South Asia Tea leaf grading is the process of evaluating tea based on the quality and condition of the tea leaves themselves. The highest grades for Western and South Asian teas are referred to as "orange pekoe" (abbreviated as "OP"), and the lowest as "fannings" or "dust".
ImbibitionImbibition is a special type of diffusion that takes place when liquid is absorbed by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume. Water surface potential movement takes place along a concentration gradient; some dry materials absorb water. A gradient between the absorbent and the liquid is essential for imbibition. For a substance to imbibe a liquid, there must first be some attraction between them.TeapotA teapot is a vessel used for steepingtea leaves or a herbal mix in boiling or near-boiling water and serving the resulting infusion called tea; usually put in a teacup. It is one of the core components of teaware. Teapots usually have an opening with a lid at their top, where the dry tea and hot water are added, a handle for holding by hand, and a spout through which the tea is served. Some teapots have a strainer built-in on the inner edge of the spout.SpoonA spoon (UK: , US: ) is a utensil consisting of a shallow bowl (also known as a head), oval or round, at the end of a handle. A type of cutlery (sometimes called flatware in the United States), especially as part of a place setting, it is used primarily for transferring food to the mouth (eating). Spoons are also used in food preparation to measure, mix, stir and toss ingredients and for serving food.Tea strainerA tea strainer is a type of strainer that is placed over or in a teacup to catch loose tea leaves. Despite the invention of the tea bag, it continues to be used widely as of 2026.Tea bagA tea bag (also spelled teabag) is a small, porous, sealed bag or packet typically containing tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) or the leaves of other herbs, which is immersed in water to steep and make an infusion. Originally used only for making tea, they are now made for other tisanes (herbal "teas") as well. Tea bags are commonly made of filter paper or food-grade plastic, or occasionally of silk cotton or silk. The tea bag performs the same function as a tea infuser.TongsTongs are a type of tool used to and objects, often too hot to hold, instead of holding them with the hands. There are many forms of tongs adapted to their specific use. Design variations include resting points so that the working end of the tongs does not come into contact with a bench surface. Tongs are known to have been used by the Ancient Egyptians. The first tongs were probably basic wooden tongs, which were eventually followed by bronze bars from as early as 3000BC.MeshA mesh is a barrier made of interlaced strands of metal, fiber or other flexible or ductile materials. A mesh is similar to a web or a net in that it has many interwoven strands.SteepingSteeping is the soaking of an organic solid, such as leaves or coffee granules, in a liquid (usually water) to extract flavours or to soften it. The specific process of teas being prepared for drinking by leaving the leaves in heated water to release the flavour and nutrients is known as steeping. Herbal teas may be prepared by decoction, infusion, or maceration. Some solids are soaked to remove an ingredient, such as salt, where the solute is not the desired product.MugA mug is a type of cup, a drinking vessel usually intended for hot drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. Mugs have handles and usually hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cups such as teacups or coffee cups. Typically, a mug holds approximately 250–350 ml (8–12 US fl oz) of liquid. A mug-shaped vessel much larger than this tends to be called a tankard. Mugs typically have a straight-line profile, either perpendicular or flaring.TeaBrewed beverage made from tea leavesTea is an aromaticbeverage prepared by infusion of hot or boilingfresh water with fresh or curedleaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreenshrub native to East Asia that originated in the borderlands of southwestern China, northeast India and northern Myanmar. Tea has a stimulant effect in humans primarily due to its caffeine content. After plain drinking water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.Tea leaf gradingEvaluation of quality and condition of tea leaves Tea leaves of different sizes just after plucking; value is inversely proportional to size Basic leaf grades of black tea, as used in South Asia Tea leaf grading is the process of evaluating tea based on the quality and condition of the tea leaves themselves. The highest grades for Western and South Asian teas are referred to as "orange pekoe" (abbreviated as "OP"), and the lowest as "fannings" or "dust".*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.