Hello all. I have been enjoying tea for awhile now and I think I would like to get some nice teaware but I have no idea where to start. There are so many different types and styles and PRICES. I'm drawn to the modern aspect of Pyrex in how sleek everything looks, being able to see the process, as well as the added feature of double wall for the cups. But I don't really see many people with them. I'm seeing a lot of tradition sets around and to someone new, it makes me wonder if its more efficient.
Any help on a great starter set would be greatly appreciated.
Jul 21st, '13, 17:48
Posts: 5896
Joined: Jan 10th, '10, 16:04
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact:
debunix
Re: Beginners guide to tea ware?
For just getting started exploring the world of tea, it makes a lot of sense to start with something non-porous, medium sized, and filtered sufficiently to handle a wide variety of teas.

A simple glass pot and cup can be fine for that (that's what I started with, like the pot above, and it was fine), or a fully glazed pot, shiboridashi, or gaiwan. I started out with a pyrex measuring cup, a strainer, and a random mug, and was happy for quite a long time before I moved on to some inexpensive porcelain gaiwans. I'm still quite pleased brewing many teas in a nice artisan-made porcelain pot with a simple 8 or 10 hole filter at a satellite office where I have limited storage space.
Once you're got some preferred types of teas, then it starts to make sense to go after additional vessels that will work well with those types of teas--whether you prefer a type of vessel that traditionally is used for your favorite type of tea, or a very different vessel--as long as it brews tea that makes you happy, it's good.

A simple glass pot and cup can be fine for that (that's what I started with, like the pot above, and it was fine), or a fully glazed pot, shiboridashi, or gaiwan. I started out with a pyrex measuring cup, a strainer, and a random mug, and was happy for quite a long time before I moved on to some inexpensive porcelain gaiwans. I'm still quite pleased brewing many teas in a nice artisan-made porcelain pot with a simple 8 or 10 hole filter at a satellite office where I have limited storage space.
Once you're got some preferred types of teas, then it starts to make sense to go after additional vessels that will work well with those types of teas--whether you prefer a type of vessel that traditionally is used for your favorite type of tea, or a very different vessel--as long as it brews tea that makes you happy, it's good.
Re: Beginners guide to tea ware?
past posts on teachat offers a treasure trove of answers, past people that had the same questions. I've learned most here
Re: Beginners guide to tea ware?
Ill be sure to read further back that I have. Thanks for the tip.yalokinh wrote:past posts on teachat offers a treasure trove of answers, past people that had the same questions. I've learned most here
To update this a touch, while I am making my decision on a nice tea set I purchased a Japanese style swing teapot today for about 8 bucks at a local Japanese market. It works well for the price!