Tiny teacups? Also, a few other questions...

[tenkaichi]

Hi everyone! I've been glued to the screen after attempting to search about super seemingly tiny teacups and tea tables (and instead of finding answers, I found lots of nice things I want to buy!) But first, my main concerns are as follows:

I stumbled across a cute local tea store and whether this tea set was practical, I didn't care - they're my favorite color and they were practically screaming for me to pick them up and take them home. I think I get this from my mom.

Anyway, I'm pretty new to tea and my exposure to exclusive shops in person is pretty minimal, so I was excited to see what they offered. This particular tea shop seemed to have more of what I'd call a very "tiny" size of either Chinese teacups or teapots (mostly yixing, I am assuming at this point) and I'll admit I was a little embarrassed to ask in person if this size was practical.

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Please forgive the crappy shots and lighting... it's almost 3am here, but pictures are fun to look at in these threads There are two more little cups, but they are exempt from these pictures.

I did some quick measurements and the tiny cup can hold a little over 1tbsp (15mL) and is about 2in wide. What is this used for?? Tiny shots? I tell myself it's pretty strange because I'm used to drinking out of 12-16oz mugs and stuff with a mesh basket but I don't know. The cup with the cover (gaiwan? correct? Though there isn't a saucer for it) holds a little over 6tbsp (90mL), and so does the pitcher. Thoughts? I don't have a small teapot to use with this set - I have a ceramic one that's like 12-16oz, I forget. I also managed to score a small tea table I would like to use that so I studied up on it a little.



A couple questions un-related to the above:

-Say you brew a single moderate sized cup of (x) tea at night, but you feel like stopping or switching to another tea (y). There are still infusions in (x) tea, and you don't want to waste. Do you just let the leaves sit in the pot/mesh basket/etc in some of the leftover tea water, or drained (with a possibility of them drying out, even) or something else?

-Is there a way to make matcha somewhat properly in a bigger bowl, like is it supposed to foam at all, or is that not supposed to happen? That's all I had, and mine didn't foam, really... I have the chasen and I watched a couple demos, but what I got wasn't what I expected, I guess. Also I didn't like the taste of that particular matcha, but I know I used a little too much of the powder for sure, so I want to try again... Try, try, try again. I don't really have any close friends who are interested in drinking tea, so some additional insight would be awesome! Now showing, my shameful matcha!

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I had more, but I forgot while writing all that up!

EDIT: I remembered one!

-The tea table is bamboo. Granted, it seems like it'd be convenient to use, but I was wondering how to care for it aside from dumping the water out and rinsing it a bit. Mainly, does yours stay wet most of the time? OR do you (purposely) let it dry out? Are you supposed to? I guess it would if you left it alone, but is it "not suggested?" Um, and since I was curious... the one I have is deep enough to actually hold these tiny pieces of teaware. I feel stupid asking this, but would it be even remotely OK to keep them in there? (with the top part with the slots open, of course).

I do want to add that my experience to the small shop was a great mood lifter for me. The lady was chatting with me for awhile and I had bought a cup to try something new. She was drinking a pu'erh in a cute small cup from a tiny yixing pot and I got to try some for free... but I really enjoyed it so much. I was having such a crappy day up 'til then, but ahh... the tea and conversation really helped to lift my spirits up. Thankfully, I did not get a ticket from my parking meter running out. I spent way too much time and money in there, haha!

Thanks for reading, I really appreciate it!

[olivierco]

-Is there a way to make matcha somewhat properly in a bigger bowl, like is it supposed to foam at all, or is that not supposed to happen? Mine didn't foam, really... I have the chasen and I watched a couple demos, but what I got wasn't what I expected, I guess. Also I didn't like the taste of that particular matcha, but I know I used a little too much of the powder for sure, so I want to try again. I don't really have any close friends who are interested in drinking tea, so some additional insight would be awesome! Now showing, my shameful matcha!

For matcha using a prewarmed and then dried bowl should help to get foam. Typical width for chawan: 12cm
Using 2g for 2-3 oz of water gives good results for me. You should also keep the temperature under 80°C (175°F).
You should get sure to get good quality matcha too. Many shops sell food grade matcha not suitable for brewing.

[IPT]

Hi and welcome.

The tiny sizes are for the Chinese Gongfu Tea Ceremony. It is fairly easy to learn and quite enjoyable. If the woman in the tea shop was using the small cups, then she could probably teach you, and would probably be happy to do so. The idea behind the small cups is to slowly sip the tea. It was traditionally used for better teas. When people wanted to drink alone, or just drink tea as a beverage, large cups were used.

I have bamboo trays that I have been using for the better part of a decade and they are still working great. A lot of people have problems with them cracking and that is because when you use it the bamboo will absorb a small amount of water. Since in the West every home has central heat and A/C, the air is very dry and the bamboo will then shrink and the seams will then leak. I would recommend after each use that you empty it and clean it and then add a small amount of clean water in the bottom. This should keep it from drying out and leaking. I would NOT recommend leaving tea water in it because it will mold and small funky and grow a white skin. Yuck!

[Victoria]

I did some quick measurements and the tiny cup can hold a little over 1tbsp (15mL) and is about 2in wide. What is this used for?? Tiny shots? I tell myself it's pretty strange because I'm used to drinking out of 12-16oz mugs and stuff with a mesh basket but I don't know. The cup with the cover (gaiwan? correct? Though there isn't a saucer for it) holds a little over 6tbsp (90mL), and so does the pitcher. Thoughts? I don't have a small teapot to use with this set - I have a ceramic one that's like 12-16oz, I forget.

The gaiwan is your "teapot" you brew in that. When you add leaves, after you brew, you pour into the tiny cups. You probably won't have much more left over. As IPT says, ask someone at the shop to show you how it's done. Or you can find video on You Tube.

-Say you brew a single moderate sized cup of (x) tea at night, but you feel like stopping or switching to another tea (y). There are still infusions in (x) tea, and you don't want to waste. Do you just let the leaves sit in the pot/mesh basket/etc in some of the leftover tea water, or drained (with a possibility of them drying out, even) or something else?

It is fine to let them sit, no worries. They do not need to dry out.
Just make sure you drain the pot so they are not sitting in tea. Or if in a basket and you want to use the pot move the basket to a cup or mug to hold them till you use again. If they are loose in a pot, drain as much tea out as you can, they will be fine.

Don't be embarrassed, we all had to start somewhere.

We understand your enthusiasm and excitement and lack of sleep!!! Welcome to the forum!

[brad4419]

-Say you brew a single moderate sized cup of (x) tea at night, but you feel like stopping or switching to another tea (y). There are still infusions in (x) tea, and you don't want to waste. Do you just let the leaves sit in the pot/mesh basket/etc in some of the leftover tea water, or drained (with a possibility of them drying out, even) or something else?

Hi tenkaichi, welcome to teachat!

I would recommend that when this happens you make sure to get as much liquid out of the teapot or gaiwan and then leave the lid on to keep the leaf moist for your next brew. At first I left the lid off because I thought the moist conditions would create mold but if you drink it within a day it should be fine and after the tea leaf dries out it wont taste very good. This is just my opinion and you might want to try it both ways and see what you like.

[Geekgirl]

I did some quick measurements and the tiny cup can hold a little over 1tbsp (15mL) and is about 2in wide. What is this used for?? Tiny shots?

This cracked me up! And I think the others have answered it, but I didn't notice anyone state what most of us really do... The tiny cups are mostly used for tasting/sampling and sharing, although sometimes with a new tea and working on getting parameters just right for a touchy one, the tiny cups are very helpful. Many of us just substitute a larger cup, and pour straight from the gaiwan into a 4-6oz cup. We save the tiny cups for other occasions.

-Is there a way to make matcha somewhat properly in a bigger bowl, like is it supposed to foam at all, or is that not supposed to happen? That's all I had, and mine didn't foam, really... I have the chasen and I watched a couple demos, but what I got wasn't what I expected, I guess.

As mentioned above, starting with a preheated bowl makes a significant difference in how much froth you'll get. Using the right proportions of water to powder helps, and having a bowl of approximately the right size does too. For a deep bowl, look for one that is about 12-13cm in diameter, for a shallower more open bowl, you'll need about 13-15cm width. Whisk in a quick back and forth motion, rather than round in a circle.

-The tea table is bamboo. Granted, it seems like it'd be convenient to use, but I was wondering how to care for it aside from dumping the water out and rinsing it a bit. Mainly, does yours stay wet most of the time? OR do you (purposely) let it dry out?

I let it dry out. I rinse the tea out, then dry it with a cloth. Plus I use it regularly, but I don't let water sit to soak in for a long time.

Um, and since I was curious... the one I have is deep enough to actually hold these tiny pieces of teaware. I feel stupid asking this, but would it be even remotely OK to keep them in there? (with the top part with the slots open, of course).

Lots of these tea trays are made specifically to store your set when finished. The slots in the top will allow a little air circulation too, so it's all good.

Welcome, nice pics!

[tenkaichi]

Yay everyone, thank you for your responses and personal experiences... I feel much better and already more educated. Incidentally, I couldn't wait to use the set and I ended up using the pitcher as the gaiwan (since it had an indentation for slightly better pouring) and the other one as my actual cup since I was the only one drinking it. For all intents and purposes, it worked! I also discovered how freaking handy this tea table is, though my preferences are starting to come to light... sizewise, it is definitely is tea for one, maybe two, and is a bit taller than I'd like for my desk. Haha, along with the Japanese lamp I acquired, maybe this will get me to clean up my room a bit so I can store my teawares and have a nice space.

I'm tapped out of money for now, but reading all the "Show off your Pots and Cups Volume xxx" threads inspire me to buy some nice teaware for myself in the future. More immediate future includes definitely a bigger gaiwan, more moderately sized cups, ...and later on a chawan, flatter tea table, yixing pot(s), maybe a tetsubin etc... I think I'm catching the fever... lots of beautiful stuff in those threads! It seems that the better my tea gets, the more I want to put it in a suitable vessel for consumption.

[debunix]

Do play with brewing in the gaiwan a bit--it doesn't take long before it's 2nd nature. They're wonderfully handy to use. Just tilt the lid a tiny bit, pick it up and hold it in one hand to drain the tea. Adjust the lid to keep in the leaves--like straining it. Practice a few times with cool water so you won't burn your fingers whe you use hot water. The pitcher won't look so handy after you've used the gaiwan a few times.

[Proinsias]

MarshalN's gaiwan video here might be worth watching.

First off I'd just get a bigger cup. Pour straight from the gaiwan into the cup. The tiny cups can be useful for special teas or when simply training oneself to taste tea instead of guzzling huge mugs of it.

[LauraW]

I just drink out of the gaiwan... the guy I bought it from told me to, so I've never bothered to find a cup, since it didn't come with one. Less worry about spilling, too, since your lip will catch it too (just as long as you don't burn yourself!).

[tenkaichi]

The pitcher won't look so handy after you've used the gaiwan a few times.

I'm going to try using the pitcher as my cup this time, just for the sake of using something bigger than the tiny cups because that's all I have at the moment. All the other cups I have are MUCH bigger... I find that I don't enjoy small amounts of tea in them, so I brew with something bigger if I want that much more tea at once. I predict I'll find the gaiwan easier to pour since I had some problems with pouring when I was using the lid with the pitcher.


Another question:
I've encountered sites or videos that say the first steep can be a "wash of the leaves." Some people drink this, other people dump it. Is the wash suggested? I guess it could be left to preference and not be needed, but is it suggested? I'm not so concerned with doing things "correctly," but if it's something I'm supposed to do or is highly suggested, I'd like to know something about it.

[tenkaichi]

I just drink out of the gaiwan... the guy I bought it from told me to, so I've never bothered to find a cup, since it didn't come with one. Less worry about spilling, too, since your lip will catch it too (just as long as you don't burn yourself!).

I think the only problem I'd have with it is if it's too hot to sip at first and the tea gets bitter within a short time. That's no fun but sipping out the gaiwan sound ok for other teas.

[debunix]

I'd also would not drink straight from the gaiwan for fear of burnt tongue and bitter tea.

[LauraW]

Another question:
I've encountered sites or videos that say the first steep can be a "wash of the leaves." Some people drink this, other people dump it. Is the wash suggested? I guess it could be left to preference and not be needed, but is it suggested? I'm not so concerned with doing things "correctly," but if it's something I'm supposed to do or is highly suggested, I'd like to know something about it.

It's something that I've found useful with certain teas, but unnecessary with others. Isn't right or wrong, whatever works for you for a particular tea, go for it! If the first steep is too bitter, throw that "wash" out, and refill.

I'd also would not drink straight from the gaiwan for fear of burnt tongue and bitter tea.

I guess I haven't had much trouble with it. I've gotten to the point where I know what's going to be too hot to drink (it's like getting coffee/hot beverage in a to-go cup with the spout in the lid - takes trial and error before you know how hot is too hot), and I usually end up throwing out the first one because of bitterness - but I also don't let it sit too long. Like I said, just takes practice, and I'm certainly not recommending it for everyone, just stating what works for me.

[chicagopotter]

I stumbled across a cute local tea store

Which shop did you get these from? I'm from Chicago too and am always looking for new places for tea...