Cinco de Mayo 2009 Brewing vessel importance?

[Chip]

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
GreetingS TeaFriends and welcome to TeaDay. Please come on in and share what is in your cup today!

Yesterday 92% of responders indicated how much leaf they use is important. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. We continue discussion on brewing variables for your FAVORITE TYPE OF TEA today. Again I ask that you please stay foused on the importance of today's variable in brewing. One that is often overlooked as a variable. How important is the brewing vessel that you use for your FAVORITE TEA? So, discuss!

I am looking forward to sharing TeaDay and brewing vessels with everyone. Bottoms up!

[Wesli]

If it's your favorite tea, it doesn't need a special pot. It will taste be the best no matter what's used.

[Salsero]

Heck yes, if it's your favorite tea, it must have the right pot!

[entropyembrace]

Maybe important, maybe not...I don't have money for nice teaware and nice tea, so I usually just buy nice tea.

I AM determined to buy a nice gaiwan I saw on Dragon Tea House...but I'll have to find a job first.

[Trey Winston]

It's not too important for me. I suspect many purists would go pale if they saw what kind of equipment I use to brew my teas.

No tea yet today, hopefully White Peony later.

[Victoria]

The pot is not too important really. More esthetically pleasing and/or comfortable to use. But in the broader view, it's not that important. I could brew in a mason jar.

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!!

Here in Southern California it's a big party day!

[Drax]

Ooh, already such a split, even in the first two responses!

I have not yet done a side-by-side comparison of brewing various teas in different vessels, but I have noticed (especially w/ whites) that I get a much better brew from a gaiwan. Of course, one of the best secrets of using the the correct pot (or I could say, a pot you're familiar with) is its ability to help you more easily control the other variables of tea making.

So yes, of all the variables under my control when making tea, I think I would rank the tea pot higher than the rest. At least, higher than yesterday's question.

Meanwhile, in my cup today I am finishing off the 2004 He Shihua that I started yesterday afternoon. Well, I say "finishing off" because I will enjoy a couple of cups this morning as I get ready for work, but I have a feeling this tea would go much, much longer...

[cherylopal]

Ooh, already such a split, even in the first two responses!

I have not yet done a side-by-side comparison of brewing various teas in different vessels, but I have noticed (especially w/ whites) that I get a much better brew from a gaiwan. Of course, one of the best secrets of using the the correct pot (or I could say, a pot you're familiar with) is its ability to help you more easily control the other variables of tea making.

I agree- I have noticed differences in using different equipment with several other beverages so I would have to think that tea would be the same. I splurged and bought a tokoname but then also a Shiboridash Teapot Set as well as a gaiwan.

I am enjoying my very first sincha- YM from Ocha- and it is very good- well, it is blowing me away!!! This is my very first sincha and I've only been drinking sencha since Jan but wow- this is some good stuff I brewed it liked Jack_teachat recommended-

[omegapd]

I could brew in a mason jar.

Don't knock it 'til you try it. They work great for cooler teas such as greens. They're a little hot to hold with boiling water, though.

Gonna be a shu Pu week for me, I think...

EW

[chad]

I voted "not too important" but that's...to me! I use a mug and infuser basket most of the time. I can see where the brewing vessel can add to the experience.

Monkey picked Oolong in the mug this morning.

[Chip]

After years of improv brewing, I can safely say for me it is pretty important now. I cannot imagine going back to roughing it the way I had to. For Japanese greens, the right equipment makes all the difference in the world.

Speaking of which, began the day with a trial run of Zencha's shincha Sencha the Ultimate from Yame. It was quite good, but I sense I need to work on the parameters a bit. The kyusu however worked great for this fukamushi style sencha.

SweeTea would not be denied some shincha while Pyrit, Wulong, and the Lil Bit aggressively observed.

[brlarson]

I consider it very important. My primary faves are still oolongs, and brewing them in a glass pot gave me inferior results. I on;y brew my best oolongs in a thin, porcelain gaiwan, but a good quality porcelain pot does an excellent job for everything else. I found that a good pot can bring out the best qualities in low-medium quality tea.

Upton's Spring Dragon this morning.

[Victoria]

In my cup this morning: ToT Neela

Busy day ahead, have a nice day everyone!

[iannon]

for me.. i havent seen the difference in taste when brewing between different tea pots. For me a good tea steeped right is good in whatever i brew it in.. but my tea ware does make my overall experience more fullfilling!

[bsteele]

Not too important. You know... as long as the brewing vessel doesn't dissolve or get soggy when it comes in contact with water or something crazy like that it's all good.