Choosing a first teapot

[Intuit]

Cost Plus Old World Market has a good selection of small, inexpensive Asian porcelain teapots, matching or contrasting cups, small platters, etc. I've given them as starter sets to coworkers who are newbie tea enthusiasts - they're great for using a work.

[bjlange]

Cost Plus Old World Market has a good selection of small, inexpensive Asian porcelain teapots, matching or contrasting cups, small platters, etc. I've given them as starter sets to coworkers who are newbie tea enthusiasts - they're great for using a work.

Yeah, we had one but it just went under. Too bad, if I had known I wanted a teapot a month ago, maybe I could've scooped one at a discount.

[Herb_Master]

I always check out T K Maxx whenever I am passing.

I have never had any luck with Oriental wares, but I have got some fantastic bargains on Expresso and Cappacino cups and a pair of French teacups.

[edkrueger]

... Chinese teas in teapots that I make myself in pottery class.

Pictures, please.

[bjlange]

Thanks to everybody for their help- I'm ordering the Shudei kyusu (the cheap red one) from Den's along with their $3 starter set (4 loose samples and 2 teabags) and 2oz of Genmaicha Satsuki. Shipped for just over $20- pretty damn good deal if you ask me. Can't wait to try it out when it gets here.

[Odinsfury]

Thanks to everybody for their help- I'm ordering the Shudei kyusu (the cheap red one) from Den's along with their $3 starter set (4 loose samples and 2 teabags) and 2oz of Genmaicha Satsuki. Shipped for just over $20- pretty damn good deal if you ask me. Can't wait to try it out when it gets here.

Very good choice... you won't be disappointed. I use that Shudei kyusu all the time.

[bjlange]

So my stuff is on its way, but I have a quick question about brewing loose leaf tea, and I didn't know where else to put it. I know you can reuse the leaves, but how many times? Does this differ from tea to tea? And how long can you leave them in the pot before you can't reuse them?

[hooksie]

So my stuff is on its way, but I have a quick question about brewing loose leaf tea, and I didn't know where else to put it. I know you can reuse the leaves, but how many times? Does this differ from tea to tea? And how long can you leave them in the pot before you can't reuse them?

Yes, there can be quite the difference depending on the type of teas. (It also depends on how you brew.)

This is in practice best left to an experiment, keep brewing until you are no longer satisfied with the results.

In my experience, I can go at least 4 steeps with a Japanese green. Good oolongs can go longer, while blacks not so much.


As far as leaving leaves out... I left some previously steeped oolong out overnight last night and had some in the morning. Not sure if this was the smartest thing to do, but I'm still alive.

[iannon]

ive left teas out for quite a few hours in my kyusu as long as they were drained well I havent had any issues with my following steeps. Some oolongs ive left out overnight since i can get over a dozen steeps out of some of them

[Blackteadrinker]

Has anybody done tests with the Trinitea to determine water temperature when the brewing process is done? On setting 2, I find my black tea is not warm enough. I have to put my cup in the microwave within 3-5 minutes. Barely above lukewarm. Is the water not actually boiling? Can there be that much heat loss during the brewing process?