Where to brew oolong ?

[jbu2]

so the all mighty forum says i shouldn't buy yixing teapot because it's most likely be a fake, Gaiwan are recommended but thay don't have the "saveing of the flavor effect" that purple sand has, so if i what that effect what should i buy for my oolong ?

[jaderabbit]

I think most of us would recommend a gaiwan still. Although porcelain doesn't add to the flavor of the tea, it keeps the aroma and allows you to taste the pure flavors of the tea. Especially if you plan on starting with the greener types of oolong, porcelain is a safe bet. Good luck.

[jbu2]

what say you about mixing it up ?

purple sand gaiwan:
http://isra-tao.com/item?id=15221515638

[Evan Draper]

what say you about mixing it up ?

Nice rejoinder. I think the consensus on the "almighty forum" is that there is a greater risk of buying bad zisha that doesn't perform well, whereas porcelain pretty much does what you expect it to. But I think many people also say buying bad zisha is the price you have to pay to learn about good zisha, and that it's worth it. That said, I can't imagine that gaiwan is good zisha

[debunix]

I've enjoyed oolong brewed in cheap yixing, fancier chao zhou, porcelain gaiwans, glass brew cups, glass pots, plastic/metal Kamjove, other glazed gaiwans, shiboridashi, and pots, and a handful of unglazed gaiwans/shibos/pots of various clays, as well as leaves dumped in a stainless thermos and covered with hot water--and have had good experiences with all of those.

I am more selective for my TeaHabitat 'single tree' Dan Cong oolongs, but even there, I use unglazed ceramic and porcelain gaiwans depending on my mood--the porcelain when I want to maximize the delicate floral bouquet, and the ceramic when I want to soften the edges a bit. Both ways are delicious.

[bagua7]

so the all mighty forum

I don't think so. People (including myself) who made mistakes, learned from them and give advice to newcomers so they can make an informed decision, which normally won't happen since humans are creatures who seem to keep tripping over the same stone.

But if you follow the "cheap ass" policy and expect a genuine Yixing pot for $50 online then the odds are against you unless you have been recommended an specific pot from one of those vendors. Still you won't find many for that price.

says i shouldn't buy yixing teapot because it's most likely be a fake,

Use the forum search. This topic has been discussed here a gazillion times.
There are online vendors who sell genuine Yixing pots.

Gaiwan are recommended but thay don't have the "saveing of the flavor effect" that purple sand has, so if i what that effect what should i buy for my oolong ?

Gaiwan is an excellent brewing tool for any tea, including oolongs.

what say you about mixing it up ?

purple sand gaiwan:
http://isra-tao.com/item?id=15221515638

Nope, better porcelain gaiwan. Here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_kw=Po ... zhen+180cc

http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/cat ... ry=8014745

[Joel Byron]

A cheap "yixing" likely won't have any "saving of the flavor" aspect, and could introduce undesirable flavors. Ask me how I know.

After a few tuition pots, I bought a 100ml gaiwan and have been happy ever since. I think getting better at brewing with a gaiwan has done more for my enjoyment of good teas than anything else I've done on my Teajourney so far. I'd get a porcelain one, you can use it with any kind of tea.

[tingjunkie]

+1 to what Joel Byron said. Great advice.

[tenuki]

one of my favorite yixing pots of all time was purchased for 15 bucks on funalliance many years ago. I ended up gifting it because I found a slightly better pot for yencha, but it outperformed many 'real' yixing for several years. I am certain it wasn't 'genuine'.