Equusfell said

First Gaiwan: I have a question... and options!

Hey all you fancy steepers out there!
I am in the market for my first gaiwan/gong fu set. I primarily drink oolong at the moment, so I should look for a more thick-walled gaiwan, correct? Also, only looking under 120 ml, since it is just me and maybe one other person.
I found aliexpress a fruitful place to look, but I have a question about how some things are listed. What is “coarse pottery”? It is not the same as yixing, correct? I ask since I do not want my teaware to hold flavors.

In case anyone is interested, these are the options I am currently liking:

Cheap, pretty aubergine print, with exactly the amount of extras I need, but looks thin. I think it is hand ‘stamped’, not painted.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pc-Chinese-Porcelain-aubergineFlower-Gaiwan-Pitcher-Chahai-teacup-tea-set-100ml-/330723712094?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d00ab5c5e

I love this style and size, and ru kiln will give it some lovely character over time!
http://www.umiteasets.com/ram-s-horn-lid-ruyao-gaiwan-teapot.html

This is the coarse pottery one, but I am just IN LOVE with the look of it!
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/125ML-Coarse-pottery-tureen-Mio-Bowl-Ceramic-Gaiwan-Kung-Fu-Teaset/32325313966.html

Currently my least favorite, but perhaps has more what I need at a slightly better quality than the aubergine:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/free-shipping-2014-new-Kung-Fu-Tea-Special-sand-bottom-Peony-Tea-eggshell-porcelain-tureen-Kung/1822142464.html

If I were in it just for the gaiwans, I would definitely get the ru kiln one and the coarse pottery one, but I don’t have tea cups or a sharing pitcher (I only have the tea ave aroma cup set, currently).

Thoughts? Suggestions? Opinions?

Thanks for looking!

1 Reply
mrmopar said

I would get a set from a “mainly” tea seller. Not one that has a wide selection of many items. Budget would be another. How much you plan to spend. I would start with an easy gaiwan that has a filter in it till you hone your skills. A strainer is a good addition to get the smallest things out of the brew.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.