I had just purchased a gaiwan from Rishi-Tea and I don't really know if I like it yet. The fit of the lid and the cup is a bit askew and the saucer is a bit wobbly.
Has anyone else bought a Gaiwan from Rishi?
Nov 3rd, '09, 13:16
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Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
Gaiwan are usually a bit wobbly. The lid is generally a bit askew, perhaps in order to prevent a vacuum from forming which would make pouring very difficult.
There is generally play all the way around ...
Welcome to the forum!
There is generally play all the way around ...
Welcome to the forum!
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
thank you, I was just concerned about the product. I'm using it right now and it seems fine even though I have to be extra careful not to move it too much so hot water doesn't swish on me when placing it down.
Nov 3rd, '09, 14:22
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Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
Yeah, Gaiwan-s require some practice ... and paying attention each time. Nature of the beast.
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
Dear Chip,
Advanced gaiwan technique includes creating a seal during brewing, and breaking it just before pour time.
Advanced gaiwan technique includes creating a seal during brewing, and breaking it just before pour time.
Nov 3rd, '09, 18:19
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Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
Dear Brandon,
Got your memmo, thanks.
Yeah, as steam rises moisture condenses in the gap between the lid and cup creating a seal. Happens with Kyusu-s too. I guess most pots. Or if you fill it quite full, liquid fills the gap as well.
Got your memmo, thanks.
Yeah, as steam rises moisture condenses in the gap between the lid and cup creating a seal. Happens with Kyusu-s too. I guess most pots. Or if you fill it quite full, liquid fills the gap as well.
Nov 3rd, '09, 18:50
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Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
are you going to include this in your next video ?brandon wrote:Dear Chip,
Advanced gaiwan technique includes creating a seal during brewing, and breaking it just before pour time.
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10624
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
Lids on many but not all gaiwans are slightly asymmetrical (bowed at the lid surface) to allow steam to escape. A few that I have seen have a little steam hole vent.
The gaiwan base (the saucer dish it sits on) shouldn't wobble - it needs to be rock steady. That's a product quality issue. If you paid more than 10 bucks for it, you may want to talk to their customer service group about a replacement.
The gaiwan base (the saucer dish it sits on) shouldn't wobble - it needs to be rock steady. That's a product quality issue. If you paid more than 10 bucks for it, you may want to talk to their customer service group about a replacement.
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
To get the feel of using a gaiwan, I practiced with water.
I think it helped.
Now it's second nature.
Good luck learning, and have fun.
May the Force be with you.
I think it helped.
Now it's second nature.
Good luck learning, and have fun.
May the Force be with you.
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
It took me a while to get it down too. I think my fingers just eventually built up callouses so I don't feel the hot water anymore 
Nov 4th, '09, 00:17
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Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
The modern style gaiwan has very shallow saucer. I like the traditional shape of saucer much better, which is easy to hold. Traditional gaiwan was often used for green tea, and the cup is well embedded in the saucer. Some modern, shallow saucers are nothing more than coaster/saucer. But for gongfu style, saucer can be skipped anyway.
Btw, I finally draw the conclusion that when using gaiwan, skill is not important, while having a small enough gaiwan is most important
Btw, I finally draw the conclusion that when using gaiwan, skill is not important, while having a small enough gaiwan is most important
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
Intuit wrote: The gaiwan base (the saucer dish it sits on) shouldn't wobble - it needs to be rock steady. That's a product quality issue. If you paid more than 10 bucks for it, you may want to talk to their customer service group about a replacement.
Yeah, that's what I meant, its not so much the saucer but how the actual gaiwan fits into the saucer. I've got to turn it a certain way so it doesn't wobble as much. And maybe its just because I'm obsessive but the saucer side is sort of undulated, its not a strait "line" per se, err, even, one part is "higher" than the other side (even though there shouldn't be a side on a circular...)... -_- Its hard to explain. Lets just say if you put it upside down, one side would be tilted slightly higher than the other.
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
My solution to the problem.... don't use the saucer.
I do like the style with a deeper saucer, though.
I do like the style with a deeper saucer, though.
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
I did with cold then hot water a few time before I started to brew in it. I looked up (on youtube) how to properly hold it, alas, my hands are too small to hold it that way, so I've got my own "small hand variation" haha.depravitea wrote:To get the feel of using a gaiwan, I practiced with water.
Re: Gaiwan from Rishi
wyardley wrote:My solution to the problem.... don't use the saucer.
I do like the style with a deeper saucer, though.
I'll probably just use the saucer for the tea cup that came with it (its Rishi-Tea Company set). I like, I do, really, but sometimes I'm just too OCD for my own good -_-.
On any case, this is what I have
http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/duck-egg ... n-set.html