Pitchers, do you use them?

[bob]

I have a simple glass pitcher and I use it every time I brew (I brew mostly for myself). This way I can observe the liquor color and I can smell the aroma just before it enters my cup.

I also like to use the pitcher for the cooling effect: I usually wait a little until the pitcher gets hot from the tea, then pour the tea into a cup, wait for the cup to heat up, and then the tea is almost the right temperature to drink.

However, lately I started thinking that it might be robbing me of some of the flavor, so I want to start pouring directly into a cup to compare the results...

[Chasm]

I most often use one when sharing with friends. At home I practice pouring among multiple cups if my brew size is too big for my cup, but I'm not satisfied with my technique yet.

I use a serving vessel for teas prepared with boiling water as a way to cool them. I don't tolerate liquids over 150F well.

[bagua7]

IMO a pitcher places an important role in the final brew/during gong fu cha: cooling off the tea and easing the degree and quantity of "liquid" delivered during the pouring process.

[rabbit]

I would probably use them if I had one.

[solitude]

just to answer my question. For japanese greens the tea goes from my houhin directly to the cup(s), with the size cca 100ml. for the chinese greens it is the same but using gaiwan. In the case of oolong and puerh I use pitcher which helps to cool down the tea and also allows to use small cups.

[bagua7]

I also pour the tea into a pitcher for greens using a gaiwan, as this process helps to cool off the tea.

Note: I always boil the water.

Another function of the pitcher is to further filter "debris" built-up during the brewing process.

[heatwaves]

I always use a pitcher/fair cup with all of my gong fu brewing. The only instance where I don't use it is when I'm making a simple "to go" cup.

It's unfortunate that many teaware artisan's rarely make them. (Hint, hint, teaware artisans reading this). I have a lot of gaiwan/cup and teapot/cup matching sets, but my pitchers are typically boring (i.e. brown or clear). I'd love to find pitchers with a little creativity.

[bagua7]

...I'd love to find pitchers with a little creativity.

+1 Definitively!

OK, let's start collecting signatures.

[Chasm]

I'd love to find pitchers with a little creativity.

That's why mine are all re-purposed other items.

[hopeofdawn]

I've found that 'orphaned' creamer pitchers from English-style tea sets work really well for this sort of thing, and are cheap/fun to look at to boot. A lot even have lids, so you can keep your tea hot a bit longer than in the standard glass pitcher.