Kyusu Chat (Tokoname vs. Banko vs. Arita)
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2022 12:26 pm
I'd love to get some feedback before I buy my next kyusu. Unfortunately, I just broke the lid to my Tokoname kyusu (https://www.yuuki-cha.com/teaware/japan ... ame-teapot) and although I may try to glue it together (food-safe glue recommendations appreciated), it was not very expensive and I'm ready to try something a bit different. My back up kyusu is an Arita porcelain one given to me as a gift when I was an exchange student in 1979. So, here are my questions/observations.
1. Have any of you compared the taste difference between Banko and Tokoname kyusus? I often read how both of these clays tend to mellow out the bitterness of the tea. To be honest, I like some astringency (not bitterness) to my sencha and would prefer to retain as much of that as possible.
2. I've read that porcelain has much less effect on tea flavor. I suppose that's because they are typically glazed and I know some Tokoname is glazed as well. The main thing I've enjoyed about using the porcelain is how nicely it cleans up. There's no "seasoning" over time if that makes sense but my Tokoname pot has picked up a brownish coating inside that has not been easy to remove (and nor am I sure I should want it removed) but it's unsightly nonetheless. I also like the white color of the inside of the porcelain to better see the tea color and also the water level, etc.
3. I really do like the finer mesh "sasame" clay filter on many of the Tokoname pots, including my own. My porcelain one has a very small "ball" filter with far fewer holes. I do enjoy fukamushi senchas from time to time and they are filtered pretty well by my Tokoname pot (although I nearly always do a secondary screening while pouring into the cup). So I'm not sure I would like the Banko pots because nearly all of them seem to have the ball filter with fewer holes.
I love the look of the very wide, low profile, flat (mostly Tokoname) kyusus I see online but their capacities are surprisingly quite small. I brew tea just for myself but still like to brew a large mug sized cup of sencha. The smallest size I would consider is probably 250 ml. I guess I'm leaning towards a glazed, Tokoname pot but would consider the others if I can find them with a finer mesh, ceramic filter. Anyway, I appreciate whatever ideas you may be willing to share!
1. Have any of you compared the taste difference between Banko and Tokoname kyusus? I often read how both of these clays tend to mellow out the bitterness of the tea. To be honest, I like some astringency (not bitterness) to my sencha and would prefer to retain as much of that as possible.
2. I've read that porcelain has much less effect on tea flavor. I suppose that's because they are typically glazed and I know some Tokoname is glazed as well. The main thing I've enjoyed about using the porcelain is how nicely it cleans up. There's no "seasoning" over time if that makes sense but my Tokoname pot has picked up a brownish coating inside that has not been easy to remove (and nor am I sure I should want it removed) but it's unsightly nonetheless. I also like the white color of the inside of the porcelain to better see the tea color and also the water level, etc.
3. I really do like the finer mesh "sasame" clay filter on many of the Tokoname pots, including my own. My porcelain one has a very small "ball" filter with far fewer holes. I do enjoy fukamushi senchas from time to time and they are filtered pretty well by my Tokoname pot (although I nearly always do a secondary screening while pouring into the cup). So I'm not sure I would like the Banko pots because nearly all of them seem to have the ball filter with fewer holes.
I love the look of the very wide, low profile, flat (mostly Tokoname) kyusus I see online but their capacities are surprisingly quite small. I brew tea just for myself but still like to brew a large mug sized cup of sencha. The smallest size I would consider is probably 250 ml. I guess I'm leaning towards a glazed, Tokoname pot but would consider the others if I can find them with a finer mesh, ceramic filter. Anyway, I appreciate whatever ideas you may be willing to share!