New here and really need help!

[debunix]

If you do the really fine leafed teas, like sencha etc, you really do want a kyusu, because they're designed exactly for the fine leaf bits.

Aside from the fine leaf teas, I am perfectly happy doing nearly all of my brewing in small gaiwans, and while the perfect match of fine clay pot to tea is reputed to make a good experience even better, there's nothing wrong with a simple porcelain or glass gaiwan. The glazed gaiwan is easy to use, easy to clean, and not expensive.

This thread includes my adventures ordering some kyusu online from a different source in japan, which had a larger inventory than artistic nippon, including some very plain pots that are quite inexpensive, and the shipping is not too bad and they were wonderfully sturdily packaged for the trip. The artistic nippon pots are quite lovely as well.

[iannon]

Oh, it's a bit old :/ I've kept it wrapped pretty tightly though....do you think it's bad? I'll try to get a picture of it. It tastes great, although the last time I brewed it, tasted a bit flat, and a little astringent :/

Tell me what you think of these Tokoname's

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

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

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

I seem to like the darker colors lol

My vote would be that second one listed..the yohen..very simply classic.

[Tea4Todd]

Some do split the pots in to 3 one for green, one for semi one for dark. I have heard of people just using one for all oolong. oh and also some use one pot per tea i.e a pot for just ali shan

This is why Gaiwans can be such an awesome tool

I know! I want to have a yixing collection too though. i really like the gaiwan idea a lot.

[britt]

I think the example below might be a good way to start.

For Japanese Green Tea:

One kyusu about 8 ounce for Japanese green teas. Two 3-4 ounce Japanese porcelain cups assuming you and your girlfriend will be drinking Japanese tea together.

This is an excellent kyusu by Kenji and although it has the clay sasame filter, I have never had issues with clogging. It is thin and light, making it especially suitable for high-quality sencha. Although one of the cheapest I own, it is also one of the most functional. Price includes shipping. This vendor, Japanese Hand Crafts, is very reliable.

http://www.japanesehandcraft.com/handcr ... item_id=13

A typical set of Japanese 100ml porcelain cups from Hibiki-an, shipping included:

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... cts_id/469

For All Chinese and Taiwanese Tea:

Gaiwans can be tricky and frustrating so I recommend an 8 ounce, glass Taiwanese teapot, at least to get you started. The Japanese porcelain cups can also be used with this pot. Although I prefer porcelain teapots or gaiwan over glass, both can be used for all types of Chinese and Taiwanese tea and your girlfriend will probably be impressed by your good taste when she sees the leaves "dancing" in the glass pot. She may actually become more interested in the Chinese teas you seem to prefer. Once you become familiar with the different teas in the glass pot, you can start searching for appropriate Yixings to use with each one if this is the way you choose to go.

Taiwanese glass teapot from Pure Puer, another very reliable vendor. I own this and have used it more often than I thought I would. I bought this mostly to use for Chinese green tea until I found a suitable gaiwan set with fair pitcher and cups.

http://purepuer.com/puer_tea/do/product ... 0Tea%20Pot

[Tea4Todd]

If you do the really fine leafed teas, like sencha etc, you really do want a kyusu, because they're designed exactly for the fine leaf bits.

Aside from the fine leaf teas, I am perfectly happy doing nearly all of my brewing in small gaiwans, and while the perfect match of fine clay pot to tea is reputed to make a good experience even better, there's nothing wrong with a simple porcelain or glass gaiwan. The glazed gaiwan is easy to use, easy to clean, and not expensive.

This thread includes my adventures ordering some kyusu online from a different source in japan, which had a larger inventory than artistic nippon, including some very plain pots that are quite inexpensive, and the shipping is not too bad and they were wonderfully sturdily packaged for the trip. The artistic nippon pots are quite lovely as well.

I don't steep too many fine leaf teas. I have a white tea blend that my girlfriend really likes that is: white tea, jasmine pearl green, and rooibos, with lavender flower in it...I probably don't want to use that in a Kyusu though unless it's glazed right? I don't want to season my pot with scented/flavored teas. I have that Sencha that I had posted in my UNKNOWN thread, I could use the rest of that...and I have some Genmai Cha, and some smaller leaf black teas. Can you brew black teas in a Kyusu?

Hmmm, 95 dollars is kind of in the higher end of my price range though....does AN charge a lot for shipping? I saw a few pots that were about 30-50 bucks that I really like a lot. If shipping wasn't too bad, I might get those.

I really do like the gaiwan method too, it seems really neat. It gives a similar experience to the Yixing (because I WANT a table too lol) I will eventually get a Yixing, but I am in no rush. I think starting with a Kyusu and Gaiwan first will be the best idea. I'll have to check that thread! Thanks Debunix!

[Tea4Todd]

I think the example below might be a good way to start.

For Japanese Green Tea:

One kyusu about 8 ounce for Japanese green teas. Two 3-4 ounce Japanese porcelain cups assuming you and your girlfriend will be drinking Japanese tea together.

This is an excellent kyusu by Kenji and although it has the clay sasame filter, I have never had issues with clogging. It is thin and light, making it especially suitable for high-quality sencha. Although one of the cheapest I own, it is also one of the most functional. Price includes shipping. This vendor, Japanese Hand Crafts, is very reliable.

http://www.japanesehandcraft.com/handcr ... item_id=13

A typical set of Japanese 100ml porcelain cups from Hibiki-an, shipping included:

http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... cts_id/469

For All Chinese and Taiwanese Tea:

Gaiwans can be tricky and frustrating so I recommend an 8 ounce, glass Taiwanese teapot, at least to get you started. The Japanese porcelain cups can also be used with this pot. Although I prefer porcelain teapots or gaiwan over glass, both can be used for all types of Chinese and Taiwanese tea and your girlfriend will probably be impressed by your good taste when she sees the leaves "dancing" in the glass pot. She may actually become more interested in the Chinese teas you seem to prefer. Once you become familiar with the different teas in the glass pot, you can start searching for appropriate Yixings to use with each one if this is the way you choose to go.

Taiwanese glass teapot from Pure Puer, another very reliable vendor. I own this and have used it more often than I thought I would. I bought this mostly to use for Chinese green tea until I found a suitable gaiwan set with fair pitcher and cups.

http://purepuer.com/puer_tea/do/product ... 0Tea%20Pot

Wow, awesome reply! Thanks! I really like the glass teapot idea too. I found some stuff on Rishi Tea, and the other website you mentioned...let me know what you think.

I will eventually get a yixing. Can you recommend a good Gaiwan for me? I like the standard white porcelain, but I am not sure on the size to get? I am trying to be more traditional, so I heard smaller sizes are better...however...I feel that too small and I won't know how to brew properly.

Here's what I found, tell me what you think:
http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... cts_id/536
Really nice Kyusu! It's got a Buddhist scripture on it too, which is perfect for me.
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/glass-tea-pitcher.html
Sharing/Cooling pitcher
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/duck-egg ... tcher.html
Another sharing/cooling pitcher..would go nicely with an all white set...
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/classic- ... uywan.html
I like the white gaiwan, but if it had just a little art on the outside, I'd be a bit happier.
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/hiramaru.html
Another great Kyusu, and not badly priced either! I love the mesh all the way around it, makes small leaf teas a sinch.

What does everybody think?

[britt]

Wow, awesome reply! Thanks! I really like the glass teapot idea too. I found some stuff on Rishi Tea, and the other website you mentioned...let me know what you think.

I will eventually get a yixing. Can you recommend a good Gaiwan for me? I like the standard white porcelain, but I am not sure on the size to get? I am trying to be more traditional, so I heard smaller sizes are better...however...I feel that too small and I won't know how to brew properly.

Here's what I found, tell me what you think:
http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... cts_id/536
Really nice Kyusu! It's got a Buddhist scripture on it too, which is perfect for me.
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/glass-tea-pitcher.html
Sharing/Cooling pitcher
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/duck-egg ... tcher.html
Another sharing/cooling pitcher..would go nicely with an all white set...
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/classic- ... uywan.html
I like the white gaiwan, but if it had just a little art on the outside, I'd be a bit happier.
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/hiramaru.html
Another great Kyusu, and not badly priced either! I love the mesh all the way around it, makes small leaf teas a sinch.

What does everybody think?

The metal screen that wraps around the inside of the kyusu (obi-ami) is very practical and a good choice for those who are new to brewing Japanese tea. I especially like the one from Rishi tea. I think either should work well it's just a case of which one appeals to you (or your girlfriend).

The choices for Chinese tea seem fine as well but keep in mind that how a gaiwan pours (or leaks), how the lid fits, etc. won't be known for sure until you try it. Even when someone has the same gaiwan, the fit and finish of the individual pieces can vary a lot. The problem should be minimized by the fact that you will be using a pitcher, which is much easier a target to hit than the typical 2 ounce cups! I now do this and it's taken the frustration out of making Chinese tea in a gaiwan.

As far as recommending a gaiwan, I will show the set that I recently purchased that is also the only conventional gaiwan that I still use. This has worked so well that I don't brew Chinese greens in anything else. I've put my other gaiwans away, at least for now. When I purchased this in mid-July the whole set was $82 including shipping (I received it in a few days from China, which is unusual). When I recently looked, the price including shipping had increased to around $115. It was purchased from Think Beijing and I would highly recommend it at the original price, which was an absolute bargain.



I think you're heading in the right direction; you seem to have learned a lot in a very short amount of time. Good luck!

[debunix]

I have a couple of little glass pots about that size or a bit smaller and love them, although the filter spout is too open for sencha and some fine black teas.

[auhckw]

Just a quick note on what the OP said do most here think you need more then one yixing for oolong? I.e 3 for the whole spectrum.

I'm wondering about this too. For instance, if I'm using light roasted Oolongs as opposed to heavy roasted Oolongs I'd probably have to switch Yixing's right? I also understand that until seasoned, Yixing's will change the flavor of your tea.

This is all so complicated!

One way you can save money from getting too much yixing or clay based pot is not to brew tea in it. You can use it as a water vessel, pouring hot water into it and then into a porcelain or glass teapot/gaiwan where the tea leaves are. This may give you the same effect. The only down side is extra step and you must be fast enough to prevent water from cooling down for certain kinds of tea.

If your yixing or clay is not that expensive, then it is ok to brew anything in it. But if you buy those super expensive types just be careful don't stain it with one type of tea Actually for those real expensive types, people don't use it but put for display/collection only.

If you get even more paranoid, the water that washes or goes into the yixing or clay must be the same. Prolong use of different water may in a way stain the wall of the clay.

Don't take my word for the above, just something I learn and share it. Makes sense or not you decide

[Tea4Todd]

Wow, awesome reply! Thanks! I really like the glass teapot idea too. I found some stuff on Rishi Tea, and the other website you mentioned...let me know what you think.

I will eventually get a yixing. Can you recommend a good Gaiwan for me? I like the standard white porcelain, but I am not sure on the size to get? I am trying to be more traditional, so I heard smaller sizes are better...however...I feel that too small and I won't know how to brew properly.

Here's what I found, tell me what you think:
http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.p ... cts_id/536
Really nice Kyusu! It's got a Buddhist scripture on it too, which is perfect for me.
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/glass-tea-pitcher.html
Sharing/Cooling pitcher
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/duck-egg ... tcher.html
Another sharing/cooling pitcher..would go nicely with an all white set...
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/classic- ... uywan.html
I like the white gaiwan, but if it had just a little art on the outside, I'd be a bit happier.
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/hiramaru.html
Another great Kyusu, and not badly priced either! I love the mesh all the way around it, makes small leaf teas a sinch.

What does everybody think?

The metal screen that wraps around the inside of the kyusu (obi-ami) is very practical and a good choice for those who are new to brewing Japanese tea. I especially like the one from Rishi tea. I think either should work well it's just a case of which one appeals to you (or your girlfriend).

The choices for Chinese tea seem fine as well but keep in mind that how a gaiwan pours (or leaks), how the lid fits, etc. won't be known for sure until you try it. Even when someone has the same gaiwan, the fit and finish of the individual pieces can vary a lot. The problem should be minimized by the fact that you will be using a pitcher, which is much easier a target to hit than the typical 2 ounce cups! I now do this and it's taken the frustration out of making Chinese tea in a gaiwan.

As far as recommending a gaiwan, I will show the set that I recently purchased that is also the only conventional gaiwan that I still use. This has worked so well that I don't brew Chinese greens in anything else. I've put my other gaiwans away, at least for now. When I purchased this in mid-July the whole set was $82 including shipping (I received it in a few days from China, which is unusual). When I recently looked, the price including shipping had increased to around $115. It was purchased from Think Beijing and I would highly recommend it at the original price, which was an absolute bargain.



I think you're heading in the right direction; you seem to have learned a lot in a very short amount of time. Good luck!

Definitely thinking of getting a Kyusu, I REALLY do like the Kyusu from Rishi, and it's rather inexpensive...however, the ones from AN are really nice...I'm kind of torn between a few.

I just ordered a gaiwan and cup, and serving pitcher from DTH last night, so I'm all set with the Gaiwan, and I'll probably get more later on. I'm not really too crazy about the design on the one you showed here. I'm more of a minimalist/traditionalist I guess. Plain white, or very low key blue decoration is fine for me. Can't wait to show you all my setup when it arrives...now, to look for a tea tray

[Tea4Todd]

Just a quick note on what the OP said do most here think you need more then one yixing for oolong? I.e 3 for the whole spectrum.

I'm wondering about this too. For instance, if I'm using light roasted Oolongs as opposed to heavy roasted Oolongs I'd probably have to switch Yixing's right? I also understand that until seasoned, Yixing's will change the flavor of your tea.

This is all so complicated!

One way you can save money from getting too much yixing or clay based pot is not to brew tea in it. You can use it as a water vessel, pouring hot water into it and then into a porcelain or glass teapot/gaiwan where the tea leaves are. This may give you the same effect. The only down side is extra step and you must be fast enough to prevent water from cooling down for certain kinds of tea.

If your yixing or clay is not that expensive, then it is ok to brew anything in it. But if you buy those super expensive types just be careful don't stain it with one type of tea Actually for those real expensive types, people don't use it but put for display/collection only.

If you get even more paranoid, the water that washes or goes into the yixing or clay must be the same. Prolong use of different water may in a way stain the wall of the clay.

Don't take my word for the above, just something I learn and share it. Makes sense or not you decide

I don't really mind the idea of dedicating a pot to a specific kind of tea, and I won't mind purchasing a few (keyword, FEW) yixing and clay based pots for specific teas. I kind of like the idea that a certain teapot is for a certain kind of tea....makes things more interesting and less boring.

[auhckw]

Just a quick note on what the OP said do most here think you need more then one yixing for oolong? I.e 3 for the whole spectrum.

I'm wondering about this too. For instance, if I'm using light roasted Oolongs as opposed to heavy roasted Oolongs I'd probably have to switch Yixing's right? I also understand that until seasoned, Yixing's will change the flavor of your tea.

This is all so complicated!

One way you can save money from getting too much yixing or clay based pot is not to brew tea in it. You can use it as a water vessel, pouring hot water into it and then into a porcelain or glass teapot/gaiwan where the tea leaves are. This may give you the same effect. The only down side is extra step and you must be fast enough to prevent water from cooling down for certain kinds of tea.

If your yixing or clay is not that expensive, then it is ok to brew anything in it. But if you buy those super expensive types just be careful don't stain it with one type of tea Actually for those real expensive types, people don't use it but put for display/collection only.

If you get even more paranoid, the water that washes or goes into the yixing or clay must be the same. Prolong use of different water may in a way stain the wall of the clay.

Don't take my word for the above, just something I learn and share it. Makes sense or not you decide

I don't really mind the idea of dedicating a pot to a specific kind of tea, and I won't mind purchasing a few (keyword, FEW) yixing and clay based pots for specific teas. I kind of like the idea that a certain teapot is for a certain kind of tea....makes things more interesting and less boring.

Not sure you have seen this, some poison for you:-
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=13034
My first kyusu.

[Tea4Todd]

Just a quick note on what the OP said do most here think you need more then one yixing for oolong? I.e 3 for the whole spectrum.

I'm wondering about this too. For instance, if I'm using light roasted Oolongs as opposed to heavy roasted Oolongs I'd probably have to switch Yixing's right? I also understand that until seasoned, Yixing's will change the flavor of your tea.

This is all so complicated!

One way you can save money from getting too much yixing or clay based pot is not to brew tea in it. You can use it as a water vessel, pouring hot water into it and then into a porcelain or glass teapot/gaiwan where the tea leaves are. This may give you the same effect. The only down side is extra step and you must be fast enough to prevent water from cooling down for certain kinds of tea.

If your yixing or clay is not that expensive, then it is ok to brew anything in it. But if you buy those super expensive types just be careful don't stain it with one type of tea Actually for those real expensive types, people don't use it but put for display/collection only.

If you get even more paranoid, the water that washes or goes into the yixing or clay must be the same. Prolong use of different water may in a way stain the wall of the clay.

Don't take my word for the above, just something I learn and share it. Makes sense or not you decide

I don't really mind the idea of dedicating a pot to a specific kind of tea, and I won't mind purchasing a few (keyword, FEW) yixing and clay based pots for specific teas. I kind of like the idea that a certain teapot is for a certain kind of tea....makes things more interesting and less boring.

Not sure you have seen this, some poison for you:-
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=13034
My first kyusu.

WOW! Excellent first setup you had there! I am thoroughly jealous, loved the pictures too. Very detailed and nice.

[Oni]

I suggest you to http://www.kyoto-teramachi.or.jp/horaido/greentea.htm , look at Horaido`s website, look at all the teaware, it is top quality and the prices are more than fair, it is my favourite japanese teashop, I saw many products from them, I own almost all my japanese teaware collection from this shop, and the teas are classics, I would suggest the blue Arita teacups, it is a bargain for 450 Y, and a small trick is to change the site to the japanese version, and without knowing the language, just browse through the teaware (those are even better than on the english site), and ask via email, the prices are unbeatable.
Also look at http://www.Hojotea.com, the quality is sky high, you can find very high end teaware here, but the prices are huge.
http://www.artisticnippon.com great quality and good price, one of the best places to buy japanese teaware.
http://www.yuuki-cha.com try out the teaware section.
http://www.maikoshop.com fine japanese porcelain, but the prices are too high for beginners, only collectors stuff.
P.S. there are tokoname kyusu, and banko kyusu, both are very famous pottery regions, look at the Hagi teaware, you can build great and unique sets that resemble natural rocks, and there are 3 types of porcelain worth checking out first Arita (Imari) ware, Kyoto ware, and Kutani porcelain.

[britt]

I have a couple of little glass pots about that size or a bit smaller and love them, although the filter spout is too open for sencha and some fine black teas.

I have never used mine for sencha or black tea for the reason you mentioned. The holes are a bit big for those. The Japanese black teas I've tried have very fine leaf so I use a 100ml Gyoku kyusu with an obi-ami filter for them.