Gaiwan questions

[tjkoko_off]

Another forum member recommends that my gongfu journey begin with a simple set of gaiwans: a pordelaine one(thicker), and eggshell one (thinner) and finally a lined YiXing one. Cnances are I begin by selection those having a capacity of around 100 ml.

In using the gaiwan for infusing, won't the tea become "over infused" as the liquid is drank let's say over a period of 10 to 20 minutes? Should the infusion be drank quickly or what?

[zacstill]

Most of the time the tea is poured into a separate pitcher before drinking to prevent just that.

[tjkoko_off]

Are unlined YiXing gaiwans available somewhere?

[edkrueger]

Yes: http://www.imperialtea.com/AB1002000Sto ... gory_ID=36
The Ming Gaiwans at the bottom.

[trallis]

I drink straight from the gaiwan sometimes.. i like doing it that way.

try using about half the necessary amount of leaves. It might get a little bitter toward the end but I've never really minded it. Some people cant take that bitterness so it might not be for you.. just works for me when i dont feel like using the pitcher and the cups and the whole lot

[tenuki]

That is total overkill. Just get one gaiwan, once you have figured that out get one YiXing. Again, wait till you've figured that out. You may never need to get anything more than that.

[tjkoko_off]

You, know, after having surfed many many threads here, the information is daunting and overwhelming. So I'm gonna' order a simple, hand painted gaiwan or two from Jing Tea Shop.

Simple pleasures teach much complexity, Koko say.

Then I may get a YiXing down the road. You know, keeping it simple.

[stanthegoomba]

Those hand-painted gaiwans look fantastic. Enjoy yours! I might have to go or one if I can't find any hidden treasure locally.

If you are used to Western-style drinking, consider how little liquid 100 ml actually is. You'll be finishing steeps in 20 seconds, not minutes.

[tjkoko_off]

Is that 20 seconds Stanthe mentions the steep time meant for gaiwans?

[stanthegoomba]

Is that 20 seconds Stanthe mentions the steep time meant for gaiwans?

Well... I was talking about the time it takes to drink a gaiwan's worth of tea—perhaps an exaggeration. But you will find your concern about having tea sit 10-20 minutes will not be a problem.

And yes, depending on what kind of tea and how much leaf you use, sometimes 20 second steeps are ideal. This kind of teaware is all about short steeps, small portions, and many re-infusions.

[Vulture]

Is that 20 seconds Stanthe mentions the steep time meant for gaiwans?

Well... I was talking about the time it takes to drink a gaiwan's worth of tea—perhaps an exaggeration. But you will find your concern about having tea sit 10-20 minutes will not be a problem.

And yes, depending on what kind of tea and how much leaf you use, sometimes 20 second steeps are ideal. This kind of teaware is all about short steeps, small portions, and many re-infusions.

I second on this. I usually use 20 'counts' or seconds for my first two infusions of tea for blacks/oolongs. You can do it longer with greens and whites. But this is for pouring the tea into a glass. There are ways of putting just a tiny bit of tea and just sipping from the cup. The water cools enough to sip and the tea is done at the same time. Takes practice so I prefer using a cup

Also I prefer to do about 2 steeps at a time into 2 seperate cups. I am used to western style and still use my 16oz IngenuiTEA at work. So having 2 cups ready at a time works for me.

[MarshalN]

With 20 seconds you might find your tea quite bitter -- adjust as you go. Don't stick to something just because somebody said so.

And I'd second Tenuki -- just one gaiwan is more than enough.

[ABx]

I would still say at least two, depending on the variety of teas you're trying. When starting out people tend to try the gamut of teas. If you get a yixing gaiwan then green teas (for example) may not do well. However, if you're only drinking oolong and darker teas then you could probably do with just a lined yixing.

Chances are that a person is going to end up with a good variety of teaware, and I'd guess that most here have more than one gaiwan. The only caveat is that I'd get cheap ones from somewhere like Dragon Tea House so that you're not paying $15-$25/ea - at $5/ea you're not going to be out much if you don't use one.

Having multiple gaiwans will give you the most room for experimentation, but if you want to simplify in the beginning then keep in mind what you're brewing. A thin one will be best for lighter teas like greens, a thicker one for darker teas (including oolong).

[heavydoom]

peeps here make too much out of teawares man......keep it simple. don't lose sleep over whether you have enough non yi xing this or that, it takes all the fun away from enjoying tea. distracting.

get 1 gaiwan.

[Salsero]

peeps here make too much out of teawares man......keep it simple. don't lose sleep over whether you have enough non yi xing this or that, it takes all the fun away from enjoying tea. distracting.

get 1 gaiwan

+1