New pot for a noobie, help pick a tea?

[taitea]

I wasn't planning on getting a clay pot yet, but impulses are impulses. I picked this up in a random chinatown shop. I'd like to know if it matters what kind of tea would best suit it (basically oolong vs. pur-eh is what I'd like know, I think?). Of course, I'd like to know your resonings as well:

[shogun89]

Looks pretty nice, Good find! I would personally use it for puerh because The black and brown clays are supposed to be more desirable for pu erh. Theres no real chemistry behind it, so do what you want. You could just use it on what ever tea you drink the most.

You also must season your pot here is how

Wash the outside and inside with tap water, NEVER USE SOAP. now put 5 grams of your tea in the pot, Pour in boiling water, then Pour out the water immediately,keep the leaves in the pot. Now fill the pot with boiling water and let the water and the leaves sit for about 4 hours. Discard the water and let pot cool to room temp, Fill pot back up again with boiling water, let leaves and water sit for about 4 hours or overnight. Rinse the teapot and its ready for use. Many people boil there pots in a pot of boiling water, but I find this unnecessary and you rick breaking your pot.

Have fun with your new pot!

[hop_goblin]

Is it a slow pour-er? Looks like it may be.

[Salsero]

It's very pretty. At the other extreme from shogun, some people do nothing with their new pot except start to make tea.

[taitea]

Is it a slow pour-er? Looks like it may be.

I don't know because:
a) I haven't poured anything
b) I don't think I know how to judge whether or not it is pouring fast or slow, how do you "measure" that?

[PolyhymnianMuse]

Just try some plain water, fill it up and pour it out. Does it feel like its running right out or does it kind of hold back a little?

[Salsero]

It the water pours out in less than 15 seconds I consider it a fast pour.

Of course, tea leaves will change the time and I often lift the lid slightly to speed the pour by letting more air in and even letting some tea come out the top into the cup, but 15 seconds, empty (no tea), with just cold water is my benchmark.

[taitea]

It takes about 20 seconds to pour out all the cold when, when filled to the absolute top. So is this medium, or slow?

What's the conclusion to be drawn here? I should stick to blacks and avoid oolongs/pu-erhs? I guess that's slightly disappointing since I could just brew blacks western style in a regular porcelain pot, which I already have. At least I'm learning!

[Salsero]

It takes about 20 seconds to pour out all the cold when, when filled to the absolute top. So is this medium, or slow?

What's the conclusion to be drawn here? I should stick to blacks and avoid oolongs/pu-erhs? I guess that's slightly disappointing since I could just brew blacks western style in a regular porcelain pot, which I already have. At least I'm learning!

I would say medium and there is no conclusion to be drawn. You can brew whatever you want. Each pot is unique and you learn to work with it on its terms.

I would try brewing a few different things in it and see how you like the results. Try some oolongs, try some puerh. The only rule I am careful about is not to brew shu (cooked) puerh in the same pot where I will brew oolongs or sheng (raw) puerh. I worry that repeated use for shu (often a pretty strong flavored tea) will flavor the pot too much and mute the flavors of lighter teas.

Eventually, you will probably gravitate to prefer this pot for one tea or another, but don't push yourself. Enjoy the journey.