Looking for a new brewing vessel for black tea

[Chip]

Really, why not?

I would not either actually. I had one Tokoname that absolutely absorbed aroma and taste from tea. That was likely after 1000's of uses, but eventually every tea had as part of its taste a common sweetness. It was more of a distraction than an enhancement.

Short term, even a lightly smokey black may leave a residual aroma and/or taste.

However generally Tokoname are less likely to absorb flavor and aroma from tea than say a Yixing.

[Victoria]

Get a porcelain kyusu or a Tokoname.
And a strainer and a fair cup.

Interesting you suggest Tokoname...is it a good pairing with black tea? Obviously would not want to brew sencha in the same Tokoname that you´re brewing black tea in.

Really, why not?

Well as Chip said, "Tokoname are less likely to absorb flavor and aroma from tea than say a Yixing", but still over time it could happen. Especially if the brew tends to be oily, or as noted, smoky. This said pot over time might be ok for wuyi, but not for something green or delicate.

[entropyembrace]

Get a porcelain kyusu or a Tokoname.
And a strainer and a fair cup.

Interesting you suggest Tokoname...is it a good pairing with black tea? Obviously would not want to brew sencha in the same Tokoname that you´re brewing black tea in.

Really, why not?

I have two that have less than 6 months use each and already the more porous one has a strong, sweet fukamushi aroma. So they can definitely absorb something from the tea like yixings do. Brewing everything in one unglazed tokoname seems like it could really end muddying the flavours of the tea...something Chip´s mentioned experiencing many times.

[NOESIS]

I agree with the above comments regarding not using unglazed pots for brewing vastly different types of tea. The glazed version offered at Den's (or a porcelain kyusu) would certainly be an appropriate "multi-tasker", but I wouldn't use a high end, unglazed Tokoname.

If you're into doing gong fu brewing of many kinds of red tea, these little bone china pots from Yunnan Sourcing might do the trick.
http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/cat ... 1711641060

[Victoria]

Those are sweet!

[Alex]

They look awesome. Fast pour by the looks of it as well.

[Nenugal]

I have one of those (the 130 ml version). It is very cute and nice and works well, but I find myself using a gaiwan most if the time; the gaiwan is more easy to clean after use...

[edkrueger]

I haven't noticed the absorption in mine. A good cleaning with boiling water gets out the residue. I use my tokoname pots with black tea, hojicha, yanagi, sencha, gyokuro, etc. They are fine. Then again some are more porous looking than others.

[britt]

I use a small Gyokko kyusu for Japanese black tea and it works fine. I haven't tried brewing sencha in it, and I wouldn't because black tea is so much stronger. Even after rinsing with very hot water I can still smell the black tea in the kyusu I brewed it in. The smell does disappear after sitting unused for a while.

[entropyembrace]

I haven't noticed the absorption in mine. A good cleaning with boiling water gets out the residue. I use my tokoname pots with black tea, hojicha, yanagi, sencha, gyokuro, etc. They are fine. Then again some are more porous looking than others.

It does seem to vary...actually it´s the less frequently used of my tokoname kyusu that is holding onto the aromas while the one that gets used more often isn´t. The one that´s holding onto the tea aromas has a duller colour and feels more like sandy stone...while the other doesn´t seem to have any aroma at all it´s shiny and smooth.

[Alucard]

Thank you, let us know what you decide on!

Hi Victoria,
I decided on the glazed pot from Den's Tea. Not a big investment and shipping was cheap so even if i use it for a few months and turns into something I don't like then no harm done.

I also ordered their Sencha Fuka-midor, this will be my second time brewing sencha and I will be sure to use all this up before I dedicate the pot to black tea.

[Victoria]

Oh great, congrats! That's a very versatile kyusu.
I think you'll be happy.

[entropyembrace]

Thank you, let us know what you decide on!

Hi Victoria,
I decided on the glazed pot from Den's Tea. Not a big investment and shipping was cheap so even if i use it for a few months and turns into something I don't like then no harm done.

I also ordered their Sencha Fuka-midor, this will be my second time brewing sencha and I will be sure to use all this up before I dedicate the pot to black tea.

Since that pot is glazed you can brew anything in it, no need to dedicate it to anything

It´s only porous unglazed pots which you need to be careful to only brew one type of tea in.

[Victoria]

Oops thanks Entropy, I didn't catch he had said that.
Yes, versatile for all teas.

[finddream2020]

As for black tea, I recommend Yixing zisha teapot.
When having your tea, It's better to leave the tea leaves in the teapot, and fill the tea water in another cups, like gongfu tea.
You will feel better with zisha teapot in this way, and can make your zisha teapot more beautiful by carefully using!