Questions about Yi Xing and 2 other items..

[teanovice78]

Hello,
I just bought a yi xing teapot and was wondering if I could use a metal infuser in it. All the leaves tend to get stuck to one side when i am rinsing our pouring tea and it is hard to clean out. Also, I bought a clay cup to go with it but it gets very hot and it starts to burn my fingers. The same is true with my cast iron cups for my tetsubin. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Thanks!

[theredbaron]

Hello,
I just bought a yi xing teapot and was wondering if I could use a metal infuser in it. All the leaves tend to get stuck to one side when i am rinsing our pouring tea and it is hard to clean out. Also, I bought a clay cup to go with it but it gets very hot and it starts to burn my fingers. The same is true with my cast iron cups for my tetsubin. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Thanks!

Cups get hot. It's important how you hold them - thumb and index finger on the rim while the ring finger slightly supports the bottom.

Not advisable to use an infuser.

[teaisme]

Perhaps slow down your pour to prevent clogs

and if the cup is too hot to hold and drink from, don't hold and drink from it ...often sweetness and other things take a little time to show up after the pour anyways, so sufficient time to cool off could be worth the wait and prevent potential harm to throat and esophagus

[the_economist]

Use a cup saucer/cha tuo/chataku.

[135F2]

teanovice78, don't use a metal infuser in your yixing pot as that would defeat the purpose of using a clay teapot. Instead, I would suggest investing in an inexpensive set of tea utensils (see link below). The set includes tools for removing clogging from the spout and also for taking out tea leaves when it's time to clean out your pot after your tea session.

Here is a primer on the utensils usually used in a gongfu tea session.

As to dealing with a hot cup, if you are not yet accustomed to holding the cup gingerly by its edges, you can use a small saucer or drink the tea from a small gaiwan that comes with a base plate. Or any cup that has an ear would work too.

Hope this helps.

[teanovice78]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try them!
135F2,
I think those tools would definitely help. I was probably going to buy a tea tray first. Where would you suggest as a good place to buy the tea trays? I want the gong fu style that holds water.
Also, this leads to my next question..how do I get tea stains off of my countertop? (formica I think) my wife is not too pleased with the tea marks everywhere! :

[135F2]

teanovice78, if you search ebay with terms "tea tray" or "Chinese tea tray", you will see quite a lot of selections. You can filter the results to show only US vendors if you don't want the item shipped from China or elsewhere.

As to removing stains, have you tried baking soda? I use Hammer baking soda.

[teanovice78]

I tried vinegar so far and it worked a little bit. Should I mix the baking soda with water or vinegar?
I have been looking at Yunnan sourcing usa website for some tea and a tray but the tray with shipping was a lot of money. I probably will go with the overseas route on ebay. Just looking for a good vendor at this point. Thanks!

[Drax]

Should I mix the baking soda with water or vinegar? !

Water. But if you DO happen to mix the baking soda with vinegar, please video tape it and post it on YouTube for the whole world to enjoy...!

[puerhking]

I have been looking at Yunnan sourcing usa website for some tea and a tray but the tray with shipping was a lot of money. I probably will go with the overseas route on ebay. Just looking for a good vendor at this point. Thanks!

Check out this ebay seller for tea tables. Prices include shipping. I've bought from them and they are reliable.

http://stores.ebay.com/goshopstreet/Tea ... 34.c0.m322

[tkellyd]

Hello teanovice78;

For yixing tea cups you might try a cup with a lip on it. I find that cups have no lip require more pressure to hold. Learned that the hard (and expensive) way.

As for iron cups, just don't do it. Those cups are marketing ploys to get your money for useless items.

Best,

- T

[teanovice78]

Tkellyd,
I totally agree about the iron cups. I have one and it gets so hot it's impossible to hold the cup! I glad someone else said something about that.