Separate clay or porcelain pot for genmaicha

[Vanenbw]

I have been reading that it might be a good idea to have a separate pot dedicated to roasted teas. At first I thought I might pick another inexpensive kyusu pot, but considered possibly buying a porcelain kyusu, which would be good for brewing, not just genmaicha, but any other teas.

Any thoughts on that? Would it be better to brew genmaicha in a dedicated clay pot, or would porcelain work okay?

[swordofmytriumph]

I definitely would recommend having your genmaicha either in its own pot or just using porcelain or glass, or really anything that doesn't store flavor. I have a kyusu @Victoria gave me that I steep all that type of stuff in (and honestly my sencha too cause none of my clay pots seem to want to be friends with sencha).

Also as a rule I recommend having a porcelain pot or gaiwan just because I'm a big believer in first trying a tea in a flavor neutral pot before going for a clay that will change how it tastes. You can never go wrong with having a porcelain pot or gaiwan.

[Vanenbw]

Thank you, @swordofmytriumph. That's pretty much what I figured, but I needed to be sure before I purchase something new. I think I will go for a porcelain for now, since I will not be limited to just brewing sencha in it. I like the idea that I can try other teas I have yet to experiment with like oolong, black tea, pu'er, etc.

[Vanenbw]

If I buy a porcelain kyusu, would it be necessary to buy a porcelain yuzamashi, or can I use the ceramic one I own? Here is the link:

https://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info. ... cts_id/581

[Victoria]

If I buy a porcelain kyusu, would it be necessary to buy a porcelain yuzamashi, or can I use the ceramic one I own? Here is the link:
https://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info. ... cts_id/581

You can use that yuzamashi for all your water cooling. For brewing Genmaicha you could also use a Tokoname red clay kyusu that is very dense, a Kyo-ware porcelain kyusu, and or a Seto-ware glazed kyusu. On eBay under Antiques/Asian Antiques/Japan/Teapots you can find some beautiful pieces as well at very fair prices.

[Vanenbw]

Thanks for the suggestions, @Victoria. Would you recommend a glazed kyusu over porcelain? I'm asking because I found a simple, porcelain kyusu for $50 on Hibiki-an's website. I'm not sure I'll find a glazed kyusu for less than that.

https://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info. ... cts_id/818

[Victoria]

Thanks for the suggestions, Victoria. Would you recommend a glazed kyusu over porcelain? I'm asking because I found a simple, porcelain kyusu for $50 on Hibiki-an's website. I'm not sure I'll find a glazed kyusu for less than that.

https://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info. ... cts_id/818

That porcelain one is fine, maybe a little large though at 350ml. Although, with Genmaicha typically larger portions are enjoyed. You can also use it as a warming pitcher for other teas. I don't see much difference between porcelain and glazed other than wall thickness, the glazed typically is thicker walled, so stays warmer longer.

[rdl]

These have been very popular, although I have never used one, and I notice it is made in China, inspected in Japan.
https://www.denstea.com/teaware-c-1022/ ... -2087.html

[Vanenbw]

That porcelain one is fine, maybe a little large though at 350ml. Although, with Genmaicha typically larger portions are enjoyed. You can also use it as a warming pitcher for other teas. I don't see much difference between porcelain and glazed other than wall thickness, the glazed typically is thicker walled, so stays warmer longer.

I was thinking it might be too large, as well. I I have a 360ml now and it is definitely too big for me, but I also thought that with genmaicha, I usually drink larger portions. I used to drink genmaicha from a 12oz mug. I usually don't drink tea from a large mug anymore, but I do have a 10oz cup I like to drink from (filled to about 9oz). I probably don't need 350ml. But I wouldn't want to get one too small, since I know I will likely drink larger amounts of genmaicha than sencha.

These have been very popular, although I have never used one, and I notice it is made in China, inspected in Japan.
https://www.denstea.com/teaware-c-1022/ ... -2087.html

Thanks, @rdl. I did see this kyusu online. I thought about it, but I might want a slightly larger kyusu for genmaicha. I would still consider it though. The price is right. I might only use this kyusu just for genmaicha, which I do not drink that often, so it might make more sense to buy a smaller, less expensive kyusu.