Tesera: Revolutionizing the Art of Tea Making

Golden A' Design Award Winner Tobias Gehring's Innovative Tea Machine

Tea brewing has long been a celebrated ritual, often too complex to be left to a machine. However, Gehring's Tesera changes this narrative by simplifying the process without compromising the ceremonial essence of tea making. The machine uses special jars filled with loose tea, where brewing time, water temperature, and tea quantity can be individually adjusted. The machine recognizes these settings and prepares the perfect cup of tea in a transparent glass chamber, providing a visual spectacle of the brewing process.

What sets the Tesera apart from other tea machines is its unique design and functionality. The machine not only brews tea but also sets an atmospheric stage for the process. An integrated tray can be removed for serving and also used as a small stove to keep the tea warm in other rooms, adding a touch of elegance and convenience to the tea-drinking experience.

The Tesera is aesthetically pleasing with a muted color scheme featuring a white, high-gloss front, black edges, and stainless steel details. The materials used include stainless steel, plastic, and glass or glass-like plastics. The machine measures 360 mm in width, 220 mm in depth, and 350 mm in height, making it a compact addition to any kitchen or living space.

The design process behind the Tesera involved extensive research, including a survey of over 100 people to understand their tea-making and drinking behaviors. Gehring also studied existing products on the market and read extensively about tea. The biggest challenge was finding the right balance between modern technology and the atmospheric ceremony of tea brewing, a challenge that Gehring successfully overcame with the Tesera.

The Tesera is not just a tea machine; it's a testament to Gehring's innovative design approach. It's a product that respects the tradition of tea brewing while embracing the conveniences of modern technology. This balance is what earned the Tesera the Golden A' Home Appliances Design Award in 2013, a prestigious accolade granted to outstanding creations that reflect the designer's wisdom and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.