My first gaiwan

[thirtysixbelow]

My first gaiwan came in the mail today!




My immediate reactions.
First: "ow! that's hot as $%#@"
Second: "I think I got more tea on the counter than in my cup"

What I learned very quickly. It's best not to fill it to the absolute top with water so when you go to pour the lip isn't scalding hot. If I offset the lid by pressing one end down and pouring from that side it makes the pour more uniform and controllable.

The lip on the cups is perfect and makes for a very enjoyable drinking experience. I also love the purity of white porcelain and it's ability to show me every detail of my tea.

[Sam.]

I think you're already starting to get the hang of it. You definitely don't need to fill it to the brim - that makes it impossible to pour well and without a mess. I fill about 4/5th of the way.

[Pouvla]

I usually also use my right hand (im a leftie) to hold the cup for better aiming, also catching the pouring to the table

[ABx]

Very nice

Definitely use the knob to offset the lid before you pick it up to pour. Also try different ways in picking it up. I personally grab it by the saucer, hold the lid with my thumb, and then pour to the side. I find it a lot easier to hold this way without worrying about getting burned, but others find it easier to grip by the edges.

When you fill it, it's best to fill just up to the lid. This will usually displace the water up to the rim, but that water is generally cooler and won't make the rim too hot to hold.

At any rate, water in - tea out is really all that matters. As long as you're doing that, there's no "right" way to hold/use the gaiwan

[Proinsias]

It's gorgeous, what size is the gaiwan?

Have you seen this vid by MarshalN

[thirtysixbelow]

It's gorgeous, what size is the gaiwan?

Have you seen this vid by MarshalN

It's 4oz. I had not seen that video. Thanks for the heads up.

It seems like it's a hair too big, but without any frame of reference I didn't know what size to get. I figured I would get something a little bigger just in case. It's easier to leave out some water then to realize I got something too small.

[Proinsias]

Even if you get a smaller one at some point 4oz is a good sized gaiwan to have around. I may just be going through a phase of loving tiny things, I've been drooling over little kyusu for ages.

[Victoria]

4oz is a good size. Congrats that is a beautiful set!! You will be all set now when the oolong box comes your way. Your number is coming up rapidly.

[Ebtoulson]

First: "ow! that's hot as $%#@" Shocked

HAHA I remember the first time I used one...burnt my finger tips

[sriracha]

Beautiful set, thirtysixbelow. =)

Looks like the gaiwan would pour well.

I remember my first attempt at using my own first gaiwan, I had to use both hands to get it to work. I later realized that that gaiwan was rather large and heavy, subsequent ones have been much easier to use.

[Oni]

4 oz is great for oolong, don`t fill it up fully, but let a bit of water seal to form around the lid, so it brews the tea airtight, just a bit of water should be visible outside of the lid, move the lid around a bit to let out the air bubble.

[shogun89]

Those things do get hot at first, but once you have your hands burnt enough it just feels warm to you, of course your hands arnt going to be as sensitive but who needs that?

[Salsero]

Lovely gaiwan set ... white is my favorite.

Like ABx and a few other forum members, I use the top-to-bottom-saucer-grasp-and-sideways-pour sissy method to avoid burning my digits (I need them for counting).

HERE I listed some gaiwan resources in addition to MarshalN's excellent recent post quoted above.

Everyone seems really excited about your first gaiwan.

[thirtysixbelow]

4 oz is great for oolong, don`t fill it up fully, but let a bit of water seal to form around the lid, so it brews the tea airtight, just a bit of water should be visible outside of the lid, move the lid around a bit to let out the air bubble.

I actually just watched that "all in this tea" video you told me about and I see what you mean. This is what I tried first and what made the gaiwan too hot to pick up. The lid seems a little too wide. If I fill it to the point where the lid will make contact with the water it will be almost completely full. The water level being so close to the rim makes it hard to hold for more than a few seconds.

[Janine]

I agree 4 oz. is a good size. And I hold the gaiwan the same way that ABx and Salsero do - saucer cupped in my hand, thumb over the knob on the lid (except I call it the "right" way, not the "sissy" way)

enjoy it!! practice, just use it and have fun! use the lid to stir the tea if you feel like it, by dipping it sideways and using it like a paddle. That will also help to cool the water. Change the amount of leaf you use, and steep each time to suit yourself and the tea and the temp, etc have fun! play with the water.