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In exploring options for an ideal setup for sencha, I'm interested to know what types of cups end up being your most favored. I'm sure this goes the way of coffee mugs, in that there is never a one size fits all option and these things come and go with season, mood, etc. Nevertheless, chime in if you have a preferred style, shape, or material. Perhaps somebody has found an interesting mix and match of kyusu of one type of clay, paired with a cup from another type?

You can check out this thread regarding cup sizes, Does teacup size matter? For Sencha I tend to use porcelain small 40ml, and medium 60ml size cups, but have also used larger 150ml cup in winter to warm the hands. I prefer porcelain overall but also use Japanese clay cups that are part of teaware sets using same clay for teapot and cups. Also, there are many discussions regarding cups in Teaware forum.

Victoria wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:47 pm

You can check out this thread regarding cup sizes, Does teacup size matter? For Sencha I tend to use porcelain small 40ml, and medium 60ml size cups, but have also used larger 150ml cup in winter to warm the hands. I prefer porcelain overall but also use Japanese clay cups that are part of teaware sets using same clay for teapot and cups. Also, there are many discussions regarding cups in Teaware forum.

Thanks for the links Victoria! When using your smaller porcelain cups, are you also brewing smaller volumes of tea, or pouring across multiple cups? Also interested to know if you have noted any flavor differences when using clay cups vs. porcelain?

Jlee1096 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:17 pm

When using your smaller porcelain cups, are you also brewing smaller volumes of tea, or pouring across multiple cups? Also interested to know if you have noted any flavor differences when using clay cups vs. porcelain?

Speaking only for myself, I usually decant into a fair cup and then pour into small porcelain cups. For everyday tea I will simply pour into a glazed handmade yunomi. Clay cups are shite. If there is an exception, I have not found one. Porcelains are not all created equal but will generally affect your tea less than clay. My go-to size porcelain cups for sencha are 30-40ml, the same size as for serving gyokuro.

Baisao wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:27 pm

Jlee1096 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:17 pm

When using your smaller porcelain cups, are you also brewing smaller volumes of tea, or pouring across multiple cups? Also interested to know if you have noted any flavor differences when using clay cups vs. porcelain?

Speaking only for myself, I usually decant into a fair cup and then pour into small porcelain cups. For everyday tea I will simply pour into a glazed handmade yunomi. Clay cups are shite. If there is an exception, I have not found one. Porcelains are not all created equal but will generally affect your tea less than clay. My go-to size porcelain cups for sencha are 30-40ml, the same size as for serving gyokuro.

Thanks Baisao, I have not considered decanting larger volumes and pouring into smaller cups, may have to give this a try

Jlee1096 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:17 pm

Victoria wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:47 pm

You can check out this thread regarding cup sizes, Does teacup size matter? For Sencha I tend to use porcelain small 40ml, and medium 60ml size cups, but have also used larger 150ml cup in winter to warm the hands. I prefer porcelain overall but also use Japanese clay cups that are part of teaware sets using same clay for teapot and cups. Also, there are many discussions regarding cups in Teaware forum.

Thanks for the links Victoria! When using your smaller porcelain cups, are you also brewing smaller volumes of tea, or pouring across multiple cups? Also interested to know if you have noted any flavor differences when using clay cups vs. porcelain?

In order not to oversteep, I also decant teas into a fairness pitcher or extra similar size teapot. I do notice a difference between clay and porcelain cups, generally prefer porcelain cups especially older Japanese porcelain finds on auction sites. Use to get great deals on eBay until my go to antiques vendor Keyta retired. Now on eBay I see nice Japanese teaware from vendor tokonamejp, not antique, they sell new quality artisan crafted teaware. Second leofox recommendations re other vendors. I’ve also received great teaware from TeaForum members, so take a look on our Teaswap forum as well to see what is available. Also, maybe there are vendors / auctions in your location, that’s how I started out.

Victoria wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 18, 2025 8:50 pm

Jlee1096 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:17 pm

Victoria wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:47 pm

You can check out this thread regarding cup sizes, Does teacup size matter? For Sencha I tend to use porcelain small 40ml, and medium 60ml size cups, but have also used larger 150ml cup in winter to warm the hands. I prefer porcelain overall but also use Japanese clay cups that are part of teaware sets using same clay for teapot and cups. Also, there are many discussions regarding cups in Teaware forum.

Thanks for the links Victoria! When using your smaller porcelain cups, are you also brewing smaller volumes of tea, or pouring across multiple cups? Also interested to know if you have noted any flavor differences when using clay cups vs. porcelain?

In order not to oversteep, I also decant teas into a fairness pitcher or extra similar size teapot. I do notice a difference between clay and porcelain cups, generally prefer porcelain cups especially older Japanese porcelain finds on auction sites. Use to get great deals on eBay until my go to antiques vendor Keyta retired. Now on eBay I see nice Japanese teaware from vendor tokonamejp, not antique, they sell new quality artisan crafted teaware. Second leofox recommendations re other vendors. I’ve also received great teaware from TeaForum members, so take a look on our Teaswap forum as well to see what is available. Also, maybe there are vendors / auctions in your location, that’s how I started out.

I'll be giving the fairness pitcher method a try, seems like a very reasonable way to avoid overstepping and not let the cup volume dictate the brew ratios. I'm a sucker for antiques, but rarely find many Japanese antiques in the area. We do have quite a rich ceramics history here in NC, however porcelain has never been a front runner, most antique wares in our area are locally sourced high iron clays wood fired and salt or alkaline glazed. While I love these pieces for their regional history, I'm not sure they fit the use for teaware. I'll have to keep a look at second hand stores and sales locally for any porcelain easily identified as Japanese and maybe luck up on some cups eventually. I'll certainly keep a check on the swap thread as well as your and leofox's recommendations on vendors.

I usually drink sencha in the morning as part of my wake-up and breakfast ritual, and I am looking for hydration as well as the tea experience. I prefer to infuse in some of my medium to larger vessels, 5oz-10oz, and cups sized appropriately to the size of the kyusu/shibo/pot.

The Flower of Forgetfulness by Petr Novak holds a special place in my heart for all sorts of tea:

180227 Flower of Forgetfulness _DEB7649 copy by debunix, on Flickr

But it is on the large side, and being quite wide/open it is best for summer mornings and larger volumes. I probably reach for this Shunko-En Bizen cup more often for sencha, especially in cooler weather when I want the deeper cup and smaller volume to drink while it is hotter and warm myself up:

Shunko-En Bizen Yunomi - 09 by debunix, on Flickr

debunix wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 17, 2025 10:12 am

I usually drink sencha in the morning as part of my wake-up and breakfast ritual, and I am looking for hydration as well as the tea experience. I prefer to infuse in some of my medium to larger vessels, 5oz-10oz, and cups sized appropriately to the size of the kyusu/shibo/pot.

The Flower of Forgetfulness by Petr Novak holds a special place in my heart for all sorts of tea:

180227 Flower of Forgetfulness _DEB7649 copy by debunix, on Flickr

But it is on the large side, and being quite wide/open it is best for summer mornings and larger volumes. I probably reach for this Shunko-En Bizen cup more often for sencha, especially in cooler weather when I want the deeper cup and smaller volume to drink while it is hotter and warm myself up:

Shunko-En Bizen Yunomi - 09 by debunix, on Flickr

@debunix, those are both very nice pieces, any idea how many ml your Bizen ware cup holds?

My Bizen-yaki holds about 200 mL

My preferred cup
viewtopic.php?p=50157#p50157

LeoFox wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 18, 2025 4:39 pm

My preferred cup
viewtopic.php?p=50157#p50157

Simple yet expertly executed, throwing porcelain on a wheel is not something just anybody can achieve perfectly.

LeoFox wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 18, 2025 4:39 pm

My preferred cup
viewtopic.php?p=50157#p50157

gorgeously 'simple'....