Washing An Unglazed Kyusu

[beachape]

Hi quick question. When washing an unglazed tokoname kyusu, do you need to avoid soap as you would wash an yixing pot? My understanding was that they tokoname pots were fired at a higher temp so they were safe for using multiple varieties of teas, and perhaps also safe to use with soap. Is that correct? Thanks for your help.

[Victoria]

I would NOT use soap! They are still porous and will absorb the soap and
taste of it. There is really no reason to use soap. I would not risk it.

[beachape]

Thanks for the warning. What about brewing different kinds of tea? Do I need to stick to one variety in one kyusu? Or can I switch between sencha, gyokuro and hojicha in the same unglazed kyusu?

[snafu]

You can brew different types of green tea in it, but I might stay away from non-greens and definitely teas flavoured with something else. It's not terribly absorbent but you might be surprised at how much aroma an empty Shudei pot retains after just a few uses.

Never use soap.

[Chip]

Nor vinegar ... and if you are brewing greens, avoid roasted greens like houjicha, etc.

My first kyusu though, I literally brewed anything and everything in it for years. Tokoname clay is much finer and denser than clay used in yixing for instance, thus absorbs much less aromas.

[Space Samurai]

It has been my experience so far that Tokoname pottery isn't all that porous. I think a little discretion is all that is needed. I wouldn't make a habit of cross-brewing different teas (and I would be careful of what kinds of teas I cross-brewed--nothing flavored with oils or scented), but you could get away with it from time to time. I have used a gentle soap once or twice for specific reasons with no harm done. Just be sure to rinse throughly whatever you do.

I honestly think the porousity (is that a word ) is a bit over-hyped. Just use discretion, be gentle with it, and your pot should be fine.

[Intuit]

Baking soda is your friend!

Gotta decontaminate? Reach for your handy-dandy box of refrigerator deodorizer.

Works on the same principles, won't leave surface residue on your pottery innards.

Use a new toothbrush 'armed' with a bit of paste on stubborn smelly residue.