Steeping less than full capacity in clay pot

[swordofmytriumph]

Not sure if this is an obvious question or not, So I got teapot money for Christmas! Am planning on buying a clay teapot from Hojo, and I was wondering, l plan to buy a 200ml teapot, but around half the time I’m only going to be steeping around 100-150 ml of water in it. My question is, will steeping at half capacity affect the performance of the pot in any unexpected ways, or affect how well the pot ends up being seasoned?

[d.manuk]

Not filling to capacity means the pot will not retain heat well. This could be potentially positive for greener teas and bad for teas that need a lot of heat like yancha and puer.

[swordofmytriumph]

Good to know, thanks. That actually would end up good for me, I prefer to steep my tea colder than most because it retains the sweeter notes more, especially for the oolong I will be steeping in it.

Any detrimental affects on the seasoning.

[OCTO]

Not sure if this is an obvious question or not, So I got teapot money for Christmas! Am planning on buying a clay teapot from Hojo, and I was wondering, l plan to buy a 200ml teapot, but around half the time I’m only going to be steeping around 100-150 ml of water in it. My question is, will steeping at half capacity affect the performance of the pot in any unexpected ways, or affect how well the pot ends up being seasoned?

Do it all the time! I enjoy using larger pots most of the time. Especially for puerh and DanCong. It brings a different dimension to the tea.

Cheers!

[swordofmytriumph]

Thanks! I’m so excited!

[plamarca000]

I did this a few nights ago with a young sheng in a 180ml yixing. I went about half way just covering 8 grams of leaf and it tasted so much better then the earlier full infusions.

[swordofmytriumph]

Huh, seems the consensus is that it’s even better to do less.

[debunix]

Better for some things, not so good for others. If you want to brew a long and hot infusion when it is half-full, you'll be more likely to need to pour hot water over the pot and/or put it in a bath of hot water.

[swordofmytriumph]

Hm, I hadn’t thought about pouring water over the pot, that’s a good idea.

[OCTO]

Hm, I hadn’t thought about pouring water over the pot, that’s a good idea.

Personally I do it most of the time. Just need to be very aware of the possibility of water stain marks building up... it’s an ugly sight.

Cheers!

[OCTO]

Huh, seems the consensus is that it’s even better to do less.

It might be a consensus, but you’ll need to try it out yourself to determine if you like it or not.

Personally, 180ml is way too small for PuErh.

Cheers!

[swordofmytriumph]

Thanks! I just put in my Hojo order, soon teapots and leafy goodness will be arriving! Akitsu Mumyoi pot and a Nosaka pot!

[OCTO]

Thanks! I just put in my Hojo order, soon teapots and leafy goodness will be arriving! Akitsu Mumyoi pot and a Nosaka pot!

Have fun. Both clays are very nice.

Cheers!!

[.m.]

Personally, 180ml is way too small for PuErh.

I usually brew sheng in a 65ml pot. There are many ways to brew.

[OCTO]

Personally, 180ml is way too small for PuErh.

I usually brew sheng in a 65ml pot. There are many ways to brew.

Yes. I agreed. As long as you like the results, that’s what matters most.

Cheers!