Basket infuser vs. teapot

[ChrisB]

I am curious to know how many of you here prefer a basket infuser to a teapot. I myself tend to prefer a basket infuser, as I just find it more comfortable and convenient. However it seems everyone I know either uses a teapot or a gaiwan. How common is it to use nothing but a basket infuser to brew loose tea?

[Alex]

"Like how you brew, brew how you like" something like that anyway

What sort of tea are you usually drinking like this?

[IPT]

I've never used a basket infuser, but I imagine they are very convenient. I prefer the more traditional Chinese brewing methods, so I don't use them, but to each his/her own. Whatever works best for you, is best for you.

I too am curious what types of tea you brew in your basket infuser.

[JRS22]

"Like how you brew, brew how you like" something like that anyway

What sort of tea are you usually drinking like this?

Right - my first tea gift was a For Life mug with infuser. it provides lots of room for the tea to expand, but it only works when brewing a big mug. Also, the mug is so thick, and the lid so snug, that I think it overheats greens when brewed at recommended temperatures. Probably works really well for blacks and oolongs. Mine is now reserved for genmaicha and houjica.

[ChrisB]

I use it to brew any kind of loose-leaf tea, mostly green teas, but also white, some kinds of black like Darjeeling and even various tisanes. For finer, grainier teas like English Breakfast I'll tend to use a teaball.

I do own a teapot, but it's several mug-sizes too large and the infuser isn't large enough to make a cup on one or two sizes alone. So I can't really see the point in using a teapot to make one cup of tea, when an infuser works perfectly well. Seems a shame though, since the teapot is one of the most traditional accessories in tea-brewing.

Perhaps I ought to try a gaiwan? I'm interested in trying something new!

[Alex]

defo pick up a Gaiwan. I own loads of different vessels including some very nice clay pots and I'd pick a Gaiwan over all of them if I had to just choose one. A fantastic tea tool.

[ChrisB]

Is there any advantage to using a gaiwan as opposed to an in-the-mug basket infuser? With the latter, I simply pour the water over the leaves, infuse, remove the basket and presto, a cup of tea! Is there anything here that a gaiwan would improve on?

I'm surprised basket infusers aren't more popular. They're extremely convenient and hassle-free.

Also, should I use one kind of tea per gaiwan? I read that they tend to retain the aroma of a tea in much the same way as a clay pot does over time.

[Alex]

Is there any advantage to using a gaiwan as opposed to an in-the-mug basket infuser? With the latter, I simply pour the water over the leaves, infuse, remove the basket and presto, a cup of tea! Is there anything here that a gaiwan would improve on?

I'm surprised basket infusers aren't more popular. They're extremely convenient and hassle-free.

Also, should I use one kind of tea per gaiwan? I read that they tend to retain the aroma of a tea in much the same way as a clay pot does over time.

Well a lot of the enjoyment of a particular vessel comes in the using and handling of it. So you may really enjoy using a gaiwan or find it pointless. Great if you ever want to do gongfu infusions though, very easy to clean and give you great control.

Most gaiwans are porcelain so you can use them for all tea. I would avoid going too cheap and look for something thin and classic design around the 120ml mark.

But there's nothing wrong with what you're doing, my wife brews all her different tea with an old steel infuser from a teapot and just jams that sucker in any random cup and fully enjoys her lovely teas.

Brewing good tea is pretty basic, hot water + vessel + good tea = joy, and the rest is bells and whistles. Exploring which of those bells and whistles elevate tea for a person can be fun and rewarding though

I often just throw leaves in a bowl or glass and pour water directly in and enjoy it. It strips the whole experience right back for me and highlights what a love about my favourite hobby....just drinking tea.

[Qoppa]

I use a teapot. It's not overly large - just 24oz, but still far too big for me to fill and then drink by myself. Like you, my infuser basket doesn't really touch the water if I only brew a single ~8oz cup, so i just brew without a basket and then pour it through a strainer into my cup. I'm currently drinking a nice Darjeeling brewed this way. Mmmmm... My next teaware purchase will likely be a gaiwan, but this seems to work fine until then.

[ChrisB]

Thanks everyone for the advice and general information! Well, I went ahead and ordered the [Gaiwan Master Set from JingTea which comes with a pitcher and bamboo tray. Looks really rather nice.

This is it:

https://jingtea.com/gifts/teaware-sets/white-gaiwan-set

[Alex]

Thanks everyone for the advice and general information! Well, I went ahead and ordered the [Gaiwan Master Set from JingTea which comes with a pitcher and bamboo tray. Looks really rather nice.

This is it:

https://jingtea.com/gifts/teaware-sets/white-gaiwan-set

That's a decent Gaiwan. Made by Eilong of Taiwan just for jing in pure white. It is medium thick so lid off when brewing greens and whites. Very good quality though and will be a joy to use.

[Fredrik]

I currently use a 300 ml japanese teapot with a basket infuser. It works perfectly if I want 300 ml in one sitting, which i mostly do when drinking japanese teas. After having infused I just remove it and I can still have the tea that didn't fit in the teacup in the teapot.

[ChrisB]

That's a decent Gaiwan. Made by Eilong of Taiwan just for jing in pure white. It is medium thick so lid off when brewing greens and whites. Very good quality though and will be a joy to use.

I'll definitely keep that in mind, thanks again! I'm also glad it's slightly larger than most I've seen; it'll mean less time spent running back to the kettle/jug to top up. Just have to hope it all arrives without getting damaged...

[Alex]

That's a decent Gaiwan. Made by Eilong of Taiwan just for jing in pure white. It is medium thick so lid off when brewing greens and whites. Very good quality though and will be a joy to use.

I'll definitely keep that in mind, thanks again! I'm also glad it's slightly larger than most I've seen; it'll mean less time spent running back to the kettle/jug to top up. Just have to hope it all arrives without getting damaged...

It will be fine from jing good packaging. It is big and if you start doing gongfu for you self its probably a little on the large side, but you can just pick up something in the 100-120ml then and you'd be all set. Perfect for western style brew black tea though

[ChrisB]

Well my gaiwan arrived today. All in fine condition, save for one of the drinking cups which was smashed to smithereens. I've emailed them, so here's hoping on a replacement. All I really need is one cup, so it's not a huge tragedy or anything.

As for the set itself, it's very nice. I burned myself the first time but that was due simply to my own inexperience and silliness. Brewed up some 大紅袍 oolong and it is dee-lish!