First Kyusu

[Kyle Hyde]

I'm looking to get my first kyusu after finding it impossible to do any kind of filtering of fukamushi with my gaiwan.

I don't want to spend a lot of money as my tea obsession is still new. I was thinking about getting the den's tea 9 oz kyusu because I could also buy some new shincha with the order.

Does anyone know whether the three kyusu's for $19 are unglazed or not? The description sort of implies they are but they don't look like it. Also, do any of you find the 9oz too big for mostly solo use (I do drink a lot of tea)? I'm probably going to be drinking fukamushi the most if the matters at all, and I'm fine with the metal filters.

If anyone has one of these kyusus, do you like it for the money? Or would it be better to put the money aside and invest in a better one from the beginning. If so, any links for suggestions? I'd rather not go through the hassle of buying through the tokoname catalog but I can be convinced.

As a side question, how long does it take for the cheaper deep-steamed senchas to come out in the new year.

[Kyle Hyde]

Ooops, forgot to introduce myself. I'm new to tea, but I'm loving learning and trying new teas. I can also sleep better having quit the coffee.

I Have only really tried a few shupus, but I'm getting into japanese greens and I have some shengpu samples on the way.

[brian]

The Den's kyusu are glazed. I'm very happy with mine, works fine with the several sencha I've tried including fukamushi. I find that a full pot makes a great serving for 2 people (2 cups approx 4+ oz each); when I use it to make tea for 1, I just use less leaf and water. A basic pot, but I bought it after seeing lots of recommendations for it here, and no regrets. I got the Kokoro -- do be aware that it is more a dark blue-gray color, not as black at it appears in the photo on Den's web site (at least that's the color that mine is).

[iannon]

you may also want to check out some of the pots at Yuuki. They have some very nice pots for the price like this one
http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... ame+Teapot

or even this one
http://www.yuuki-cha.com/Japanese+Teapo ... nko+Teapot

[Chip]

Welcome to the forum!

Hard to go wrong with the Den's. They are a bit heavy, but they are also bomb proof which will get you through the kyusu learning curve. I got the shincha version w/ shincha which I believe is still offered as a special grouping making it a bit cheaper yet.

This screen will also allow super fast fukamushi pours!

For the most part these days, I throw this kyusu into its box along with some tea, and take it to outings and family gatherings ... I would never consider doing this with the more delicate and more expensive versions of Kyusu-s.

The fact that is is glazed adds versatility to it as well, no tea odors to worry about as you go from one type of tea to another.

You can't go wrong for the price, plus cheap domestic shipping. And it won't be your last kyusu purchase ...

[Kyle Hyde]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably be ordering on Wednesday. Any recommendations on what tea to add to the order? I would think I should wait on most of them since they are still from the 2009 harvest.

[Chip]

If you are getting one of the Den's Kyusu, then one of their shincha special edition teas would make sense. You would have to wait for your kyusu til the tea comes out, which will be very soon.

http://www.denstea.com/index-main_page- ... h-492.html

[debunix]

I'm enjoying my 2009 harvest sencha shin-ryoku and sencha zuiko, and have no particular preference between them. Ordered them a couple of months ago to tide me over until the 2010 senchas are available. Worth tossing in a pouch with your pot, ordering now, and enjoying some still quite tasty sencha while waiting for the next season teas.