kyusu for my japanese tea

I tend to buy Kyusu in the $40-60 range myself, and the quality is always decent. I'm not a fanatic for top-end wares since I am more old- school in my tea drinking and stick to the more "commoner" gear. No one outside of royalty was using any super high-end gear back in the day and I'm sure their enjoyment of the tea was ten fold that of the nobility. I stay away from very cheesy junk, but just about anything beyond that will serve the purpose and last a long time if cared for. The Dragonfly one from O-cha seems nice, good size, nice design, and seems middle of the road.

I will say that I rarely use my kyusu so you may want to re-evaluate the need for one. I'd be wary of those telling you that it is going to change the flavor. I tend to use either gaiwan, my three piece mug, or a glass tea pot for my greens. I also have one Yixing I use for jasmine green even though it is not "correct." I like the glass teapot since it allows you and your guests to see the color, and watch the leaves. Kyusu tend to be more decorative for me now.

If you go with a glazed one (interior) then you can use it for multiple teas with no problem.

You could use one of those little battery operated cappuchino/frother things, they sell them at a dollar store by my house even. Although, I have to say I've never gotten a workout making matcha. The thought is similar to nails on a chalkboard to me to use one with matcha... but don't let that stop you.

good luck!

- Dominic

It depends upon where you are - there is Takashimaya in New York City. Yaohan's in California. Morukai and Mitsuwa are also in California. The battery operated whisks are very reasonable in Ikea ($2.99). They work for matcha. Compai! Shen

ooo i need to get that whisk from ikea! the wares i always thought those in malls are cheap ware with a lot of markup..*in my opinion*

Dominic,

Maybe I should reconsider, i just got so into it when i read about how the japanese clay from the perfecture could enhance your tea taste, like making the smoother, less bitter and sweeter..

Yeah, it is easy to get caught up into hype online... but I assure you it is just that, hype. Just the same with Yixing, after maybe 10-20 years of perfect care and feeding it may make a very very slight difference, but to claim any more than that is a bit silly. I have a Yixing that has been used for jasmine green tea for over 15 years or so now and yes, by itself with hot water poured in you can smell the jasmine... will it magically pour brewed tea with just water? Nope. Jasmine is highly fragrant too, so the subtle nature of most teas are going to be far less pronounced. I'd never steer someone away from trying something new and adding to their collection, just steer you away from dropping a life savings in hopes of some profound effect.

I find it is mostly a mental thing, if you think your teapot adds something then in your mind it will. It helps create the full illusion and sometimes that is a nice change from hustle and bustle. I have had the chance to drink tea from a Yixing that had been passed down through countless generations, and besides the high skill and familiarity with the tea, the pot, and the brewing of the tea I'd say it added nothing more than a beautiful centerpiece and some great stories... and that adds all the flavor to the tea in the world.

- Dominic

If you are planning to brew japanese green tea every day then I recommend a kyusu--it's what I use for my japanese greens. They allow tea to be brewed in larger quantities, so it's good when you want a nice mug. They also pour quickly. It's definitely a different way of enjoying tea than a gaiwan (I never use infuser mugs). My favorite is a hagiware kyusu because it seems to improve the flavor of the tea, but for more refined sencha I use a tokoname shudei kyusu that I special ordered from maikotea. It has a clay filter, which I like (you can get one on ebay).

Hibiki-an has really nice kyusu as well, that have gotten rave reviews. I got their iced-tea pot which I thought was excellent; in general they've got good taste so although I can't speak for their kyusu I do think their tea and other tea ware is good. I'd get a real clay kyusu because I bought a cheap one once and didn't love it (although it did the job of brewing the tea, its aesthetics didn't please me).

You may also want to check out the stuff on

which is super craftsy, and sometimes the japanstore part of e-yakimono.net has reasonably priced kyusu.

Good luck!

I have a Chinese version of the kyusu. They come in various clay sizes glazed on the inside for brewing herbs over a fire. I have a 2L size which takes one hand to hold and the other hand on that wrist to pour. It's rough clay not smooth like Yixing. I expect mine to crumble anytime. That one not that many years ago cost $5. They're in Chinese supermarkets.

Jim

Jazzy wrote:

thank you all for the input! :) i am gonna get a tokoname from maikotea and a glass kyusu from hario.

I think the glass kyusu is a good buy i can brew all sort of tea in it :) except that it make the brewing session less gong fu cha!