New to Japanese green tea

[jaylorgator]

I am trying to find a kyusu for Japanese green tea. The pots at Hojo http://hojotea.com/item_e/available.htm looked very nice. Which type of clay would be best for green tea?

[Chip]

While Hojo does offer beautiful kyusu-s, they are not cheap. I was fortunate to pick up a rough Shigaraki clay in a swap with another member. It is an amazing kyusu, though due to the price, I do not use it every day, more for special occasions.

Alternately you could check here for Tokoname http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... eindex.htm

Or Hagi (I used a Deishi Hagi this AM with stellar results) http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/h ... iyaki.html

Some like to use Banko http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/B ... index.html

I like Bizen as well http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/b ... nindex.htm

I think issues such as size and screen are more important than clay ... usually. I have not used any kyusu that I did not like the result.

Having said all that, I am sure I will purchase Hojo kyusu(s). The prices are the biggest obstacle.

Good luck in your search and keep us ... posted.

[David R.]

I am using one of Hojo's black kyusu (Sado reduction red clay). This kind of clay gives a long finish to tea, which is exactly what I am looking for. Different clay, different results... Porcelain will be the only one totally neutral.

As Chip says, everything depends on your budget, cause tea is not free, and buying good quality tea is also very important.

[jaylorgator]

My budget is not really an issue. I was more wondering what different effects different clays from Hojo's pots would have on green tea. But I am open to other vendors as well.

[Chip]

I am not knocking anyone when I say this ... I just do not get hung up on the interaction of clays with sencha ... I love sencha and always seem to really enjoy my results regardless of the clay, though admittedly I have not done extensive side by side tasting. If I had problems with lackluster results, I would be looking for solutions. But I describe virtually every sencha filled TeaDay as GREAT.

Issues I do focus on in no particular order ...

size

shape, more important than given credit for. taller for fuka, shorter for asa ... an oversimplification.

feel, how does it feel in hand. hard to do this with your first kyusu if buying online, but we all go through this.

screen

aesthetics, yeah this can make the kyusu fun to use ... does the kyusu "click" with me upon first look ... and first use

origin style, for instance Tokoname, Hagi, etc.
workmanship

I place the actual clay last in this list ... though it could one day move up.

[Tead Off]

I am using one of Hojo's black kyusu (Sado reduction red clay). This kind of clay gives a long finish to tea, which is exactly what I am looking for. Different clay, different results... Porcelain will be the only one totally neutral.

As Chip says, everything depends on your budget, cause tea is not free, and buying good quality tea is also very important.

I have always objected to the notion that porcelain gives 'neutral' results. I think this is not accurate. Nothing is neutral. I can see using porcelain as a reference to which you can compare other clays, but, to say it is neutral is not true. Wouldn't you agree? In fact, most people say porcelain enhances the high notes of tea, the more floral, aromatic aromas.

[David R.]

I have always objected to the notion that porcelain gives 'neutral' results. I think this is not accurate. Nothing is neutral. I can see using porcelain as a reference to which you can compare other clays, but, to say it is neutral is not true. Wouldn't you agree? In fact, most people say porcelain enhances the high notes of tea, the more floral, aromatic aromas.

I understand your point of view. Talking about enhancing, reducing, etc, always requires a basis of comparison. I think porcelain is often used as this reference. But maybe it should be glass instead.

Using bone china vs bad quality porcelain can show big differences, whereas glass is just glass, at least I think.

But in this case, finding a glass kyusu may be tricky, and porcelain may be the next best think in regards to neutrality.

size

shape, more important than given credit for. taller for fuka, shorter for asa ... an oversimplification.

feel, how does it feel in hand. hard to do this with your first kyusu if buying online, but we all go through this.

screen

aesthetics, yeah this can make the kyusu fun to use ... does the kyusu "click" with me upon first look ... and first use

origin style, for instance Tokoname, Hagi, etc.
workmanship

I think Chip is right, your kyusu has to be handy : bad size, bad filter and it stays on the shelf (I know it for a fact). If you stick to Hojo (no pressure here), don't be afraid to ask him additional photos to the model you fancy, such as filter and so on.

Which type of clay would be best for green tea?

As for clay, my personal preference goes to reduction baked clay (Sado black clay, Banko, Bizen, etc). But best is very much a matter of personal preference in the end...

[JRS22]

Artistic Nippon will also answer questions and send additional photos before purchase. I was impressed with the personal service I received when buying my $40 Gyokko kyusu.

One of my criteria, after all the functional ones discussed above ( I consider esthetics part of the function) is just how upset will I be if the pot breaks? That eliminates Hojo pots for me, unfortunately.

[Nathaniel87]

My first kyusu was a basic Gyokko Kyusu that I used everyday for a year before purchasing one (and then another) kyusu from Hojo. I almost purchased one from AN instead of Hojo but I liked the fact that Hojo offered many more kyusu in a size around 150 mL.

As for which one I like best with green tea, I like the reduction Sado pots as well...seems to have a nice effect on the taste, but overall I agree that asthetics should be the primary concern here.

Price wise, hojo is certainly a bit more expensive, but it just means I take that much more care of them when I use them.

My original kyusu has survived an accident free year of heavy use even though I have been using it very roughly since aquiring my two hojo pots.

[jaylorgator]

I have looked at Artistic Nippon, but I can't seem to find many pots that would be small enough when I am drinking alone. Do you guys know of any that are good for one person on Artistic Nippon?

[jaylorgator]

I take that last comment back - I just found several.

[David R.]

I have looked at Artistic Nippon, but I can't seem to find many pots that would be small enough when I am drinking alone. Do you guys know of any that are good for one person on Artistic Nippon?

It is often considered a good idea to look for a volume of 20cl for one person who would be willing to drink 10cl at a time.

Having a kyusu halfway full will be way easier to use as the filter won't tend to get clogged so much, using a careful pouring technique still. As Chip mentionned, the form of the kyusu is also important, and of course the type of filter, especially for fukamushi sencha.