Getting Started
From wikiCHA
Are you new to the world of loose leaf tea? Congratulations!
Contents |
Why Loose Leaf?
- Quality
- Price comparison
- Variety
Brewing
Teaware
There is an endless variety of styles of pots and cups, many on our list of teawares, but we have attempted to compile a modest list of must-have teaware items at affordable prices.
Porcelain Teapot
Infuser Basket
![A Korean Koryo[[1]]](/index.php/Image:Koryo1.jpg)
If you are like most tea drinkers, you drink alone. In that case you may want to consider an Infuser Basket along with a 6- or 7-ounce mug for those times when a traditional teapot makes too much and you don't want to enter into the mysteries of the orient, represented by the noble Gaiwan, Yixing pot, and Kyūsu. (NEVER, use a teaBALL or any other such contraption of medieval squished tea torture.)
The infuser basket has the following advantages:
- Single serving portion
- Plenty of room for the leaves to infuse properly
- Infusion can be stopped almost instantly by raising the basket
- Easy clean up
- Multiple infusions (the best part of good tea!) are easy
- Inexpensive and simple, no learning curve
- Readily available
- Suitable for brewing most types of tea from Chinese oolongs to Japanese Sencha to Indian Darjeelings
There are many manufacturers of Infuser Baskets and even more vendors. Your basket should be as close to the size of your mug or other brewing vessel as possible so as to allow maximum space for what the more poetically inclined tea experts call the agony of the leaves. It should also be durable enough to last you for years: most are made with hard plastic and stainless steel mesh. Most also have a cover for keeping the brewing tea warm and on which to set the basket between infusions and are dishwasher safe.
Traditional Chinese version of Infuser Basket at Red Blossom Tea (usually a little larger size mug)
Still another style sold by Rishi Tea
Gaiwan
Main article: Gaiwan
A versatile "lidded bowl" used traditionally in tea preparation in China. This is a popular choice for brewing all types of Oolong, Puerh and Chinese Black teas. A gaiwan is also a good starting point for Gongfu Cha
Kyūsu
Main article: Kyūsu
Side handled tea pots from Japan with some sort of built in filter. These pots are your absolute best bet for brewing Japanese tea.
Where to Buy?
The following vendors are friendly for new tea drinkers.
Adagio offers small samples of a vast array of teas for $2-3 each, or sampler packs of several teas (eg, Green Sampler). Fast shipping from centers on both coasts, and free shipping on orders of $50 or more. Their loyalty program gives you $10 off every $100, and extra points for recommending friends.
