Ceramic mesh infuser

[ummaya]

Good question ...

Do you mean "infuser" such as a removable basket. Or do you mean a "screen" attached to the base of the spout.

Either way, do you have a size in mind?

I mean the filter as in the third picture on the right in nonc_ron's post.
The size should be around 270ml and 320ml

I started to drink Sencha more than a year and a half ago, I tried different teas and so far the Sencha Yutaka Midori is my preferred.
I have only one teapot, a Tokoname-Yaki with a stainless inner spout filter that I bought back then ( http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/tokonameteapot-602.html ) ; last week I accidentally broke it and ordered a new one (on its way right now) and I thought it is time to own a second teapot. This time I would like to try one with a clay filter instead of stainless steel. It is just a matter of trying and experiment something new (a clay filter sounds more "organic") and not an attempt to improve the taste of the tea. I really have no idea if the screen/filter can makes a any difference. Some say it does and others that it does not. Others pretend that even the clay in which your teapot was made has a certain influence on the taste of the tea; the same tea prepared in the exact same manner and condition would taste different if brewed in a purple Banko teapot or in a red clay teapot. I guess that my lack of experience would not allow me distinguish such minute differences if they really exist.

Today O-Cha.com has many teapots to offer but only one with a clay filter so before posting here I made a Google search and the information and the options were not lacking, the contrary. I found many vendors with different prices and different designs . There were huge differences of price and some were very expensive teapots made by "artists".

I would love to own one like this one ( http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... pot_7.html ) or this one ( http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... kyusu.html ) but that's not even close to my financial possibility.

Right now my budget for a second teapot is around the $50 (plus, minus) and of course I would like to get a good teapot for this price. So, in fact I was looking more for a recommendation than information. Sorry for not being clear.
Since my experience with teapots is very limited I am looking for recommendation from more experienced people.

For example, the 3 following teapots are all a bit more than $50 but still within an affordable range and all look beautiful to me but I have no idea about the quality of the products, or which vendor sells the better products.

http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/kikumaru.html

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... amaru.html

http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/tokoname-teapot-899.html

Anyway, we may never know. But it's been a fun ride

Well, now you know ...for me the fun ride is going on.

EDITED: by the way I included several links in my post but somehow I don't succeed to make links ([url] is on off)

[Chip]

Right now my budget for a second teapot is around the $50 (plus, minus) and of course I would like to get a good teapot for this price. So, in fact I was looking more for a recommendation than information. Sorry for not being clear.
Since my experience with teapots is very limited I am looking for recommendation from more experienced people.

For example, the 3 following teapots are all a bit more than $50 but still within an affordable range and all look beautiful to me but I have no idea about the quality of the products, or which vendor sells the better products.

http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/kikumaru.html

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... amaru.html

http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/tokoname-teapot-899.html

EDITED: by the way I included several links in my post but somehow I don't succeed to make links ([url] is on off)

I think since you are a new member, the link function is currently disabled for you, spam prevention. As you can see, your links displayed properly with my post.

All 3 vendors are very reputable. Rishi would save you shipping since they are in the USA. Until you asked over on O-Cha's forum (same question), I was not aware that they added a sasame screen kyusu.

The Kikumaru is very nice, it is white clay, well cream clay and is not glazed white like many pots. Thus the color develops a patina right away, darkens. As long as you are aware of this and do not have an issue with it, it is a beautiful pot, very simple. It is also rather thin and light, so be careful with it.

The red clay is simply a classic beauty. Traditional red Tokoname clay that has been fired with oxigen, the color is not as "bright" as many red Tokoname clay kyusu, quite nice actually. This is a very fine craftsman piece. Another one that is more of a mass production piece but $35 is the Fukugata from Rishi, but is more of the bright terre cotta red color.

O-Cha's is a bit of a wild card. If you like the design it is as nice as any of the others. Since it is rounder, it would be easier to brew Fukamushi in it. And yes, you can brew fukamushi in a pot with a sasame screen, just requires a little practice. The stainless screens may be easier though. I use both with Fukamushi without any issues.

They are all very good pots, a good group to choose from. All will brew up 200 ml (just under 7 ounces) steeps, but not much more. Pick the one you "like" the most, you should be very pleased with any one of them.

[ummaya]

Rishi would save you shipping since they are in the USA

I have updated my profile and as you can see I live in Tel Aviv so I cannot save the shipping.

The red clay is simply a classic beauty...a very fine craftsman piece. Another one that is more of a mass production piece but $35 is the Fukugata from Rishi, but is more of the bright terre cotta red color.

The Shudei Iramaru is a real beauty and the the Fukugata seems to be a good purchase for the price but I have first to ask Rishi the cost of the shipping to the Middle East. I think I will pick one of these two.

Thanks

[Victoria]

Both of those pots are very nice. I own one in fact. The sasame filter is my filter of choice. I apologize for my wrong guess at what you were wanting!

Not to enable your teaware mania, but here are some additional choices from CD Japan, maybe the shipping will be less?

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/wa_style/speci ... 4&spid=111

[ummaya]

Really beautiful pieces of teapots at CD Japan. I am waiting for an answer from Rishi about the shipping cost for the Fukugata.

Meanwhile I prepare my tea with my broken teapot. The lid is a bit broken and the spout is also partly broken but I can still manage good enough until my new Tokoname arrives. In fact while I am typing these lines I am enjoying my second infusion of my first Uji Sencha Miyabi (shincha) from 0-Cha.com . I love the Yutaka Midori but this shinsha is gorgeous. One of best experiences I had with Sencha.

[Victoria]

That is a sad tale. I hope you get your new pot soon,
best of luck to you!