less tea ware searching more tea drinking + measure question

[Stormlight]

Im having a tough time with my tea ware. Bought a glazed Kyusu that dribbles way to much when pours, bought another glazed and the built in filter allows to much leaf though the pours but ended dropping it anyway.

I think I'm going to go with a ceramic classic pot based on my less then stellar purchases of glazed kyusus. Im sure I could grab a non glazed one from tokoname but I want an inside glazed as I drink everything under the rainbow and only have room for one device.

If i go that route my brews may be slightly larger.

As for the measurement, if one tea calls for:

Water: 3oz @ 160F
Leaves: 2 grams or 1 rounded teaspoon

I can just double that evenly if two people are brewing together correct?

Are most tea instructions based on one person?

thanks

[Chip]

Most tea brewing directions from vendors are simply dictated by that vendor. Criteria could be anything. You can determine your own steep size based upon your own criteria which might be based upon comments here. But ultimately you can determine your own comfort levels for each parameter.

Also each tea will be a little different ... to a lot different. So a rule of thumb should not be strictly adhered to religiously. Be willing to bend and experiment.

Sometimes price of a tea, or even time of day (or night) can be a big factor.

Good luck in your search.

EDIT: BTW, my steep sizes for two range from 2 ounces to as much as 6 or 7. 4-5 however is very common when I brew Japanese sencha and smaller when brewing most other teas.

[sriracha]

Yes, beware of any brewing instructions, I've found personally that they don't work for me 9 out of 10 times. Too much leaf, too long times.

[Xell]

If you drink many different teas then i think it's almost necessary to have at least 2 brewing vessels. One small and one for bigger volume. For example something around 100ml and 300-400ml. If i could have only one i would go with small one around 150ml. Maybe instead of kyusu take a look at hobin/houhin with a steel mesh?

Recently i started to use mostly shiboridashi which is at most 90ml. And i feel that it greatly improved my enjoyment of japanese teas. Since i can go through one session in one go and tea is always fresh, nothing stays long enough to loose any aroma. With 5-7 infusions even 90ml is a lot

p.s.
Did you have a piece of rubber tube stuck to spout of your kyusu? Seems it's there for better pouring, without it it can get messy.

[tingjunkie]

p.s.
Did you have a piece of rubber tube stuck to spout of your kyusu? Seems it's there for better pouring, without it it can get messy.

Nah, that's just there to protect the spout from chips in shipping/store.

[Chip]

p.s.
Did you have a piece of rubber tube stuck to spout of your kyusu? Seems it's there for better pouring, without it it can get messy.

Nah, that's just there to protect the spout from chips in shipping/store.

There are the tubing cuts for protection, but perhaps Xell is referring to the silicone molded piece ... this is definitely molded to aid in pouring.

I have one kyusu with this. All the others arrived with the protector on the spout.

[debunix]

A year ago, I would have said my best approximation of a one-size-fits all brewing vessel would be a porcelain gaiwan, but the more I've used my shiboridashis from Petr Novak, the more I think one of these, glazed inside, might be equally appropriate for a one-vessel-fits all use....something like this. And there are many teaware artisans on TeaChat and elsewhere who make similarly versatile pieces.

[fire_snake]

A year ago, I would have said my best approximation of a one-size-fits all brewing vessel would be a porcelain gaiwan, but the more I've used my shiboridashis from Petr Novak, the more I think one of these, glazed inside, might be equally appropriate for a one-vessel-fits all use....something like this. And there are many teaware artisans on TeaChat and elsewhere who make similarly versatile pieces.

I have a few shiboridashis from Petr, cups and all. They're wonderful. I've never tried them with Chinese tea, though. So today will be a turning point.

[tingjunkie]

p.s.
Did you have a piece of rubber tube stuck to spout of your kyusu? Seems it's there for better pouring, without it it can get messy.

Nah, that's just there to protect the spout from chips in shipping/store.

There are the tubing cuts for protection, but perhaps Xell is referring to the silicone molded piece ... this is definitely molded to aid in pouring.

I have one kyusu with this. All the others arrived with the protector on the spout.

Huh. Never seen that before. Isn't that the same as admitting they didn't make the pot right in the first place?

[SilentChaos]

We're talking about those short clear plastic tubes at the end of the sprout right? Sometimes I come across those protectors described as pouring aids....rather odd. Thought those were supposed to protect the tip of the sprout during transport and stuff like that.

[Chip]

No ... not clear tubing. These are usually but not always the color of the kyusu-s. Mine is green though most are terre-cotta. Near the center of the photo.

http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/yubi20 ... 12-e62.jpg

They are not for high end pots nor artisan works, generally. Just mass produced pieces. They are formed to help make a better pour and likely relatively dripless. They would prevent chipping as well, so if you are a klutz or just use your kyusu non stop ...

I would not buy them, but as I mentioned, one kyusu came with one. I was curious and left it on.

[tingjunkie]

Huh. Wacky.

[Xell]

p.s.
Did you have a piece of rubber tube stuck to spout of your kyusu? Seems it's there for better pouring, without it it can get messy.

Nah, that's just there to protect the spout from chips in shipping/store.

There are the tubing cuts for protection, but perhaps Xell is referring to the silicone molded piece ... this is definitely molded to aid in pouring.

I have one kyusu with this. All the others arrived with the protector on the spout.

Well, i also thought that piece of tube is only for protecting during transportation. But saw that most people leave it. And was told, if you want good pouring leave it like that. Certainly not pretty. But i'm fine without those pieces, pouring is good enough not to miss my cup, only last drops sometimes go under kyusu.

[SilentChaos]

First time seeing those pouring aids. Very...alien and curious looking.

[Chip]

First time seeing those pouring aids. Very...alien and curious looking.

... "training wheels"