First Kyuusu!

[Anelezel]

I'm just really exited, I got my first kyuusu today and I also got a really cute cup. This is a step up from using my PersonaliTEA (which I still love, by the way). I got it as from a Japanese import store for 3.50$ its probably not the best quality but it's good for me at this point. It doesn't have a strainer in the spout which I didn't notice at the store, but its not big deal. I love my little teapot and cup!

Any first teaware experiences to share?

Any advice when buying teaware (i.e. what not to buy, look out for...)

Heres a picture of my little kyuusu and cup.

[spot52]

DeJa-Vu
I wrote a similar experience,
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=9302
I love mine. Just be careful rinsing it out, my was slippery!

[Odinsfury]

I like it, where did you get it from?

As far as what not to buy if I could give back any purchase it would be my cast iron enamel-lined teapot with infuser basket. I sometimes bust it out if my friends want tea but it's really just a hassle to use.

[Anelezel]

I got it from a chain of stores called Daiso Japan, most of their items are 1.50 unless otherwise labeled. Its a pretty cool store, they have all different kinds of things. I got a bunch of little tea bags to use with loose tea too, I should have grabbed another pack, they are pretty nifty.

[iannon]

So how are you overcoming the "no strainer" problem? When you are ready you should definately try out the dens starter teapot. At less then 9 bucks its a steal and has a stainless mesh strainer built in!

[Pentox]

Daiso is a fun place to pick up random stuff. Love the cup!

Stuff to look at when buying a kyusu is material/glaze and strainer type. Beyond that you start going into the fancy styles and potter names and the like. Glazed kyusus are good for starting because they're good for any type of tea, not just greens. Unglazed you typically want to look into a Tokoname kyusu. The clay has a high iron content which is said to mellow the flavor of the tea. There are a few different internal strainer types of which people will tell you are better/worse.

[Anelezel]

I just brewed some green tea in one of those teabag sleeves, it worked well enough. Its pretty little so any leaves that I brew just in the pot I could probably just strain out.

[iannon]

I just brewed some green tea in one of those teabag sleeves, it worked well enough. Its pretty little so any leaves that I brew just in the pot I could probably just strain out.

I would definately give that a go one of these times..get those leaves floating free

[Victoria]

Congratulations on you new pot!