My first "real" purchase, how'd I do?

[ngower]

I've had the InginuiTEA for probably close to a year now and I've found myself using it less and less as of late as it's gotten a lot of residue that's hard to clean off and what appears to be white mold collecting in hard to reach areas. I figured it was time for an upgrade as I've found some tea lovers at my job (Starbucks, ya I know) and have an easy outlet to get some teas here and there in addition to whatever I purchase. So, $85 later, here's what I've got:

UtiliTEA kettle from Adagio Teas
http://www.adagio.com/teaware/utiliTEA_ ... 2053574369

Bamboo Painted Porcelain Gaiwan
http://www.goldenteahouse.com/Bamboo-Pa ... Gaiwan.htm

Bamboo Painted Porcelain Cups
http://www.goldenteahouse.com/Bamboo-Pa ... n-Cups.htm

Please feel free to criticize or praise my purchases, but if you do criticize them, feel free to send some recommendations my way as to better options. Thanks for taking the time to read through this and hopefully this will be a lengthy thread by the time I get home from work

[olivierco]

Nice gaiwan and cups!
A gaiwan is a very good choice because you can brew quite every tea with it and it is also easy to clean.
The tea cups are very small but I guess you have already some larger ones.

[ngower]

Nice gaiwan and cups!
A gaiwan is a very good choice because you can brew quite every tea with it and it is also easy to clean.
The tea cups are very small but I guess you have already some larger ones.

Ya, I researched it and it seems like a Gaiwan is one of the better methods for someone who isn't quite a tea connoisseur (in other words me) and is very flexible with what you choose. I've also read that you can re-steep your leaves several times, so this will give me time to drink a small cup and go on or I can just throw it into a bigger cup, as you said. That's my next purchase, a nice cup for myself as currently I have a bunch of coffee mugs, but they'll suffice as my teas aren't even all that great (just a few samplers from here and there).

Thanks for the kind words, it makes my wallet slightly more happy that I made the purchase.

[Salsero]

I'm sure you will be very happy with your purchases. The gaiwan is lovely and the UtiliTEA has many fans. I have a similar variable kettle and it has given me much service.

[murrius]

Nice choices. I particularly like the gaiwan. Also I'm very envious of the UtiliTea as they are very hard to come by in Canada. Enjoy!

[Chip]

Very nice aquisitions! I might suggest a smaller gaiwan next, maybe around 3 ounces.

I am fond of bamboo on teaware!

[Cinnabar Red]

Very nice gaiwan.

[geeber1]

Very nice, I love the pattern and colors on your gaiwan and cups.

I soak my Ingenuitea occasionally with some hot water and a drop of bleach. Seems to clean it pretty well. I need to move on from it also and give a gaiwan a try.

[Victoria]

Congrats on your new teaware!

[Vulture]

Very nice, I love the pattern and colors on your gaiwan and cups.

I soak my IngenuiTEA occasionally with some hot water and a drop of bleach. Seems to clean it pretty well. I need to move on from it also and give a gaiwan a try.

yah.... my IngenuiTEA is a little on the dark side. The filter is Brown from using it with black/flavored teas so much.

I have a gaiwan on the way to my place as well. Yours is a good price for a nice looking gaiwan. I am too much of a bachelor to get matching cups though . Having tea is one thing, when I start matching teaware my friends would be giving me wierd looks.

[taitea]

Having tea is one thing, when I start matching teaware my friends would be giving me wierd looks.

But you won't need friends at that point. You will have teaware.

[Salsero]

But you won't need friends at that point. You will have teaware.

[fencerdenoctum]

Congrats on your new purchases! I'm digging the new gaiwan! After looking at that site i'm going to have to order those glass tasting cups!

I have a Utilitea and love it. I hope you do too.

The Tea Sipping Swordsman,
Fencerdenoctum

[ABx]

Those are great choices

I would definitely say to get at least one bigger cup - one that will hold the entire contents of the gaiwan for when you're brewing just for yourself. Unfortunately I don't have any good recommendations as I have bought all mine locally. The only one I can think of is the professional tasting set - it's a great set, and has just one nice big cup that's just about perfect (it leaves a good half inch or so of space above the tea where you can hold it without burning your fingers). Hou De has a set for $12.50 - http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... cts_id=661

The one you got is indeed a good one for your first gaiwan because of the thickness. I wouldn't think of it as a 'beginners' gaiwan, though, as you certainly will still use it if and when you build up a collection and refine your palate. If and when you get a yixing gaiwan and a thinner gaiwan, I think you'll find that some teas still just come out better in that one, and even though I often use a smaller one I still get a lot of use from my 5oz gaiwans for certain teas.

[Chip]

The only one I can think of is the professional tasting set - it's a great set, and has just one nice big cup that's just about perfect (it leaves a good half inch or so of space above the tea where you can hold it without burning your fingers). Hou De has a set for $12.50 - http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... cts_id=661

Interestingly, I just received tasting set samples that Adagio just had made. They are nice. I will get a lot of use out of them. Adagio will make them available at reduced cost to the TeaChat/TCR participants and will also likely have them for normal price on their site soon.