Kyusu Size

[bcos]

I've been reading all the kyusu posts I could find lately, and I have seen some brief opinions, but not really any solid answers about what is the desired size for a one person kyusu pot. There's one I'm very interested in at o-cha that is 11.4 ounces, but I'm not sure if that's a great size for one person. Based off what I've read, if I preheat the pot it sounds like it should work, but I figured I'd quickly check in to see if I should be looking at pots in the 6-9oz range or if that 11.4 will work fine.

[Chip]

You do not have to fill it, in fact it seems best not to IMHO.

I have a bunch of sizes, they all work fine for one person. I think I have 180, 230, 270, 360, and now 400 ml. The 270-360 ml sized ones seem optimum to me for my personal use. But I have teas where I want to go smaller.

OH, and then there are pots for gyokuro which tend to be smaller still, but are not required in order to make gyokuro.

[Oni]

150 ml teapot, look at artistic nippon, the rest will be too much for a single serving.

[scruffmcgruff]

I think 150mL is way too small for a kyusu; maybe a yixing, but that's a whole other ball game. I'd go with something around 300mL (10 oz), give or take.

[olivierco]

Most of the time I use a little kyuusu (150ml) but as you don't have do fill the kyuusu up to the rim, a 250-300ml kyuusu is OK.

[Jack_teachat]

I have this 12oz (360ml) pot from O-Cha and I find it is perfect for single servings. Being that size it also means it is a bit more versatile, meaning I can also use it if a friend comes over for tea.

http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/tokoname ... -k115.html

[Chip]

Thought a little more about this. My ideal steep for myself is usually 180 ml which fills my 90 ml Japanese cup twice (I pour into a small glass "fair cup"/pitcher when it is done brewing, then inot my cup). So, anything around 230-270 ml is perfect for me 80% of the time since it is supposedly ideal to only fill a kyusu around 75% full.

[TokyoB]

Chip - what makes you say that it is ideal to only fill a kyusu to 75% full? I'm trying to figure out the same thing - I only like to drink maybe 150ml or so at a time. So do I go for a 150ml pot or 200ml or more. So trying to figure out if I'm in the "fill the kyusu close to the top" camp or the "fill the kyusu to 75%" camp. Also, I already have several kyusu's so don't really need a smaller one, but maybe if I can justify it....[/u]

[bcos]

Actually the kyusu that I was looking at is the same one that Jack has, but I didn't realize that it was out of stock >.<. I ended up getting this one from the Japanese Green Tea Shop. It should be a good first kyusu, it's 240ml and with that filter type it should be able to pour pretty fast.



Plus, it should go perfect with the gift set I ordered from O-Cha with the Yutaka Midori and the Miyabi . Such a great value and those canisters are pretty awesome.

[Jack_teachat]

Lovely looking pot, hope you enjoy your sencha!

[Salsero]

Filling the kyuusu only part way works fine for me on the first steep, but on subsequent steeps it can be tricky to get the wet leaves off the sides of the kyuusu into the water ... especially given that my second and third steeps are usually quite brief. Filling the kyuusu to the top makes those subsequent steeps a little easier for me.

[Chip]

Actually the kyusu that I was looking at is the same one that Jack has, but I didn't realize that it was out of stock >.<. I ended up getting this one from the Japanese Green Tea Shop. It should be a good first kyusu, it's 240ml and with that filter type it should be able to pour pretty fast.



Plus, it should go perfect with the gift set I ordered from O-Cha with the Yutaka Midori and the Miyabi . Such a great value and those canisters are pretty awesome.

Congrats on the kyusu. I have yet to try that screen configuration. Let us know how it goes.

And I have those canisters, they are awesome. I love the completely seamless design. I think they are as airtight as you can get.

[Chip]

Filling the kyuusu only part way works fine for me on the first steep, but on subsequent steeps it can be tricky to get the wet leaves off the sides of the kyuusu into the water ... especially given that my second and third steeps are usually quite brief. Filling the kyuusu to the top makes those subsequent steeps a little easier for me.

When filling successive steeps, I pour the water over the screen, thus clearing the screen.

Chip - what makes you say that it is ideal to only fill a kyusu to 75% full? I'm trying to figure out the same thing - I only like to drink maybe 150ml or so at a time. So do I go for a 150ml pot or 200ml or more. So trying to figure out if I'm in the "fill the kyusu close to the top" camp or the "fill the kyusu to 75%" camp. Also, I already have several kyusu's so don't really need a smaller one, but maybe if I can justify it....[/u]

I don't think there is a right or wrong way, simply preferences on how far one fills the kyusu. I am sure we each have our own reasons for how we do it ... or we would not do it that way.

I prefer not having tea all over the lid after pouring, having to rinse it back into the kyusu each steep. I think the water cools a little when using less than full as well, seems to be good for Japanese greens in general.

Then again, I align the lid perfectly each time I put it on as well, this certainly does not improve the brewing of the tea, but I just like it that way.

[Salsero]

Congrats on the kyusu. I have yet to try that screen configuration. Let us know how it goes.

Isn't that one of those Nozomi screens that keeps the leaves off the bottom? I want one of those in the worst way!

Good choice, Bcos, and lovely pot. You're going to love it.

[olivierco]

Actually the kyusu that I was looking at is the same one that Jack has, but I didn't realize that it was out of stock >.<. I ended up getting this one from the Japanese Green Tea Shop. It should be a good first kyusu, it's 240ml and with that filter type it should be able to pour pretty fast.


Plus, it should go perfect with the gift set I ordered from O-Cha with the Yutaka Midori and the Miyabi . Such a great value and those canisters are pretty awesome.

Good first kyuusu and nice teas!