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Nov 4th, '08, 19:22
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Porcelain or glass cups?

by stanthegoomba » Nov 4th, '08, 19:22

Hi all.

I'm trying to put together a set of cups to go with the Rishi Duanni teapot that should be arriving any day now. (Found the recommendation on this forum: thanks Wesli!)

A local store sells 2oz double-walled Bodum Pavina glasses that look like they would be perfect for gongfu:

Image
Any reason why it would be better to use porcelain cups or clay lined cups, apart from the more traditional look?

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Nov 4th, '08, 19:32
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by Victoria » Nov 4th, '08, 19:32

Those are nice -

What is your porcelain choice?

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Nov 4th, '08, 19:43
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by stanthegoomba » Nov 4th, '08, 19:43

That's just it. I like the shallow, wide-rimmed kind that I see in pictures on this forum, but everything I've seen around town looks like the sort of thing you'd get at a cheap Chinese restaurant. They're all covered in illegible calligraphy and monotone lacy flowery designs.

(Sometimes I'm a little partial to cups with koi fish... :))

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Nov 4th, '08, 19:48
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by Victoria » Nov 4th, '08, 19:48

Well if there is nothing specific you have seen, get the Bodum and then you can add more later. Small cups are fairly inexpensive.

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Nov 4th, '08, 20:03
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by stanthegoomba » Nov 4th, '08, 20:03

Heheh, that is true. I'll go this route as long as the gongfu gods approve. I love my big class tumbler for brews that come out of the IngenuiTEA, but I've never seen anyone line up espresso glasses next to a yixing. Hopefully I'll be happy with the result.

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Nov 4th, '08, 20:05
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by Victoria » Nov 4th, '08, 20:05

Oh yeah, it's done all the time around here.
:)

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Nov 4th, '08, 21:49
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by Salsero » Nov 4th, '08, 21:49

I have the Bodum 2 oz and they are very cool. They actually hold just over 2 oz. The bad thing is that they are just a bit small to match a 100 ml gaiwan or 120 ml yixing pot. In the best of all possible worlds, you would probably want something closer to 90 or 100 ml (like my avatar) or even a bit bigger.

Hibiki An has some nice capacious cups like the matsuba ones which I measure at 137 ml or 4.85 oz to the brim and these maple and sakura ones that I find even larger at 160 ml or 5.7 oz. Both are on the pricey side ($29 and $27 a pair) but at least Hibiki An does not charge shipping on them.

Of course there are a ton of lovely Chinese cups around too. For my personal use, I find the really darling, dinky gong fu cups (at 30 ml to 50 ml) impractical unless you use a fair cup or are drinking with others.

In six months, I predict you will have at least 1 or 2 additional cups, so for now, so I suggest just getting the Bodum glasses and taking your time shopping for something perfect while sipping tea from the Bodums.

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Nov 5th, '08, 01:07
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by stanthegoomba » Nov 5th, '08, 01:07

Thanks for the reassurances you two. I've already thought a little about how the sizes will match up and I am still on the lookout for the perfect cup for when I drink alone and don't want to deal with a pitcher.

I do already have one yixing pot from from about half a year ago that is MUCH too big to use for gongfu: 10 ounces! :oops: And to think that at the time I thought it was a perfectly sized "personal" teapot! (I'm not sure what I am going to use it for after I get my new pot...) Even knowing how off I was, I doubt I'll soon want to go even smaller than 4.2 oz, but I think this must be the mistake that most Chinese tea newbies make.

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Nov 5th, '08, 05:47
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by Drax » Nov 5th, '08, 05:47

I ordered a bunch of the 9oz Bodium glasses and got them last night. I usually brew about 6-7oz at a time, so that works for me.

I have to admit that they're much lighter and thinner than I thought they would be. It's not a terrible thing, it's just that they feel quite fragile. It's possible the 2oz would feel less so since they are smaller, though.

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Nov 5th, '08, 06:24
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by Vulture » Nov 5th, '08, 06:24

stanthegoomba wrote:I do already have one yixing pot from from about half a year ago that is MUCH too big to use for gongfu: 10 ounces! :oops: And to think that at the time I thought it was a perfectly sized "personal" teapot! (I'm not sure what I am going to use it for after I get my new pot...) Even knowing how off I was, I doubt I'll soon want to go even smaller than 4.2 oz, but I think this must be the mistake that most Chinese tea newbies make.
Yah at work I still use the 16oz IngenuiTEA. I just like having a nice big cup of tea. I still haven't gotten fully into the smaller sizes but I am playing with a 5oz gaiwan at home.
I ordered a bunch of the 9oz Bodium glasses and got them last night. I usually brew about 6-7oz at a time, so that works for me.

I have to admit that they're much lighter and thinner than I thought they would be. It's not a terrible thing, it's just that they feel quite fragile. It's possible the 2oz would feel less so since they are smaller, though.
I got a pair of the 9oz and 15oz versions of this as well. They are a little thin but not thin enough to be fully fragile. I already had a small slip when hand washing the 9oz the first time. It was a small fall into the sink but it didn't do anything to the glass. It looks and feels fragile but like any other glass, will hold up unless you drop it from a height. I did spy later This One which is probably a better glass to use overall. It is a 4.7 Ounce cup with a handle. Depending on my tea budget I might get these for tea sampling.

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Nov 5th, '08, 12:20
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by Drax » Nov 5th, '08, 12:20

Ooh, good to know, Vulture.

To me, they feel similar to a fine crystal, but either way I'll do my best not to test out their ding/drop resistance! :D

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Nov 5th, '08, 14:35
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by trallis » Nov 5th, '08, 14:35

where have those cups been all my life

Nov 5th, '08, 16:14
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by cheaton » Nov 5th, '08, 16:14

I own a pair of the Bodum Pavina espresso cups in the 5oz size. Perfect for drinking by ones-self and brewing in the traditional chinese style..

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Nov 5th, '08, 16:29
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by Salsero » Nov 5th, '08, 16:29

cheaton wrote:I own a pair of the Bodum Pavina espresso cups in the 5oz size. Perfect for drinking by ones-self and brewing in the traditional chinese style..
Oooo, I didn't know there was a 5 oz size. That sounds pretty great! Might need a couple of those ASAP.

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Nov 5th, '08, 17:26
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by stanthegoomba » Nov 5th, '08, 17:26

5 oz would be ideal! But I didn't see that size at the store.

My new pot showed up this morning :D and it comfortably fills two of the 2 oz cups. The glasses really do stay cool to the touch. I guess I'll just drink 'em one by one when I'm drinking alone.

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