As per Chip's suggestions this would be useful for tasting multiple OTTI samples in one session. There's a reasonably priced set available on Adagio's site, but I can't figure out if the brewing cup has a handle. Also, some websites sell sets with a serrated edge rather than a notch for pouring. I'm not sure this matters for Chinese teas, and probably neither would be easy to use with Japanese greens.
Any advice from those of you who use tasting sets?
Jul 31st, '10, 12:11
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Maitre_Tea
Re: Tea Tasting Set
There is only a notch in the Adagio one, which I find kind of annoying but it's not too big of a deal. I use it for Chinese teas so little particles get through but never the whole leaf. Just be careful when ordering. The box for the sets aren't too protective so the all three of my cups arrived broken. Luckily they responded quickly and sent out replacement cups.
Jul 31st, '10, 13:11
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debunix
Re: Tea Tasting Set
That set looks great, except for the volume--for tasting 2-4 teas where I only go a few infusions, I love my small gaiwans (holding 60-75mL per infusion), but if I am comparing four teas over many infusions, as I hope to do today for several loose puerh mao chas from Norbu, then I will bring out the mini gaiwans at 45mL. At 5 oz per cup of the Adagio set, I'd have to discard some of each infusion to finish the session with anything more than a one or two infusion black tea. If they would kindly make it available half sized, I'd love a set of 4 of them!
Re: Tea Tasting Set
What amazes me is that if you read the reviews, people are using these as gaiwans. Which just furthers my point that Adagio needs to offer at least one simple gaiwan.
Re: Tea Tasting Set
How would the tea be affected if I used these to steep a smaller quantity - say 1/2 the maximum capacity?debunix wrote:That set looks great, except for the volume--for tasting 2-4 teas where I only go a few infusions, I love my small gaiwans (holding 60-75mL per infusion), but if I am comparing four teas over many infusions, as I hope to do today for several loose puerh mao chas from Norbu, then I will bring out the mini gaiwans at 45mL. At 5 oz per cup of the Adagio set, I'd have to discard some of each infusion to finish the session with anything more than a one or two infusion black tea. If they would kindly make it available half sized, I'd love a set of 4 of them!
Jul 31st, '10, 15:07
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debunix
Re: Tea Tasting Set
The water will cool down more quickly, so brewing temps will be less stable. Probably not a big deal for early shorter infusions, but may be a problem for the longer later infusions with oolongs and puerhs. But I have to think there is something important about the small size of yixing pots in general, that is independent of the effects of the clays.
Re: Tea Tasting Set
I ordered 2 tasting sets from Adagio Sunday evening, and thanks to their location up the road from me they were delivered Tuesday. I tested them this morning and with a bit of practice they'll be fine for my purpose as they're a good size for the Chinese greens I'm planning to use them for. The tasting bowl is broad and shallow, so I was able to tip the tasting cup in such a way that if any tea ran down the side (and some did) and dropped off the bottom it still ended up in the tasting bowl. What I'm trying to figure out is why the smaller leaf tea stayed in it's tasting cup but some of the larger leaf tea ended up in the bowl! Not intuitive.
If I move on to puehrs I'll consider debunix's advice and look around for tiny gaiwans, but there is apparently a standard for the size of tasting sets.
If I move on to puehrs I'll consider debunix's advice and look around for tiny gaiwans, but there is apparently a standard for the size of tasting sets.
Re: Tea Tasting Set
I have used both ones with teeth and ones without (with tea leaves of varying sizes / shapes), and there doesn't seem to be a major difference.
The ring around the inside of the lid helps to keep some of the bits from getting out... I don't think it makes that big a difference.
The ring around the inside of the lid helps to keep some of the bits from getting out... I don't think it makes that big a difference.
Re: Tea Tasting Set
That's good to hear - the ones with teeth that I located were priced higher - AND with higher shipping. I'd rather buy more sets of these, or save towards a gaiwan.wyardley wrote:I have used both ones with teeth and ones without (with tea leaves of varying sizes / shapes), and there doesn't seem to be a major difference.
The ring around the inside of the lid helps to keep some of the bits from getting out... I don't think it makes that big a difference.