Thick-wall gaiwan! Black tea tastes thin to me in thin-wall gaiwans.
My preference:
light, delicate tea = thin, delicate gaiwan.
dark, strong tea = thick, strong gaiwan.
I think it is because, in fine porcelain gaiwan, the delicate material and thinness retain less heat, so the water temperature drops from starting point faster. I like this treatment for my greener teas, but not for dark teas.
Or maybe it’s just because I like to match my tea and teaware, haha! ‘u’- I cannot drink Earl Grey without a handled tea cup, which is just silly… ;;
“dark, strong tea = thick, strong gaiwan.” Agreed.
Do you have a favorite supplier for thick-walled gaiwans?
Glad to hear some similar observation. ‘u’
No favorite supplier yet; my thick gaiwan and other teaware are all from different suppliers. I am still trapped in the mad bargain chase! Any favorite/reliable suppliers?
Yes, Arbor Teas, Butiki Teas, DAVIDsTEA, Mandala Tea, Teas Etc., TeaVivre, The Tea Merchant, The Whistling Kettle, Yunnan Sourcing, & Zen Tea Life. I’ve also read many positive comments about Verdant Tea.
I have a thin gaiwan from Zen Tea Life that is just excellent to handle! I may purchase teaware from Verdant in the near future, so I can report back. :)
Thank you for the list!
Confession: I ordered the Jingdezhen Wide Lotus Gaiwan & matching cup. I just couldn’t resist.
Terri HarpLady I did too and I can’t wait until they arrive! I’m very excited for my first gaiwan.
My current favourite Gaiwan is this one:
http://www.postcardteas.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=151_154&product_id=459
The porcelain quality and the glaze+handpainted dragon are stunning. It brews a fantastic cup of tea. I’ve used it for black, white, Sheng and oolong tea, and it did a fantastic job. I’ve also got two cheaper Gaiwains, made from modern “plasticky” porcelain, thin and flimsy, and they don’t brew tea half as well.
My fav is the Earthen Gaiwan from Butiki!
http://www.butikiteas.com/Teawares.html
It’s got a nice wide lip, & a little of a pouring spout, which keeps me from burning myself. I have it in both colors. I love it.
:)
I also have a glass one, nice for watching teas unfurl, & a pretty white porcelain with blue flowers, but I’m more likely to burn myself with those.
Yes, that’s what others have also reported.
Is earthen a particular type of ceramic or clay?
It’s just your basic ceramic. What I love about it is the design itself :)
Yes, the large lip & the spout appear to be very helpful. Does the lid on the Earthen Gaiwan fully cover the opening to the spout? Thanks!
That look very much like a Shiboridashi. Japaneese style gaiwan, often used to brew gyokuro.
Tman: the lid doesn’t cover the opening completely, so the tea can flow through.
Dag: You’re absolutely right, it is more of that design, except this one has a wider lip.
Heres my favorite.
http://www.dragonteahouse.biz/accessories/brewing-tool/gaiwans/celadon-gaiwans/kinking-moon-white-ru-kiln-celadon-gaiwan-90ml-3-04oz.html
Nice and thick and beutiful.
However for black tea i prefer Zhuni yixingpot or most red clay oxidation fired pots.
The grips are helpful. They may get wet and hot, but cools in a matter of seconds.
I particulary like the drainageholes under the grips. The volume is exactly 90ml when it flows over and water gathers in the saucer to help heat the gaiwan.
There is matching 40ml cups aswell, all very thick and solid.
I’m new to Gongfu brewing. I know it consists of multiple short infusions. Is 90ml / 3 oz. considered enough for one or two people? Thanks!
90ml is a good size for 1-2 person depending on type of tea.
A nice oolong or pu-ehr can give you minimum 10 infusions. A bit much for a single person. Normal cupsize is 40-50ml sometimes smaller.
You keep the infusions going while you drink so the pitcher wont empty out. :)
I know there is a 120ml gaiwan in the same style. But that would be to large for 1 person.
Most of my Gaiwans are 4 oz (120 ml), & even though they aren’t made of special clays, I like to use each one for specific teas: floral oolongs, roasted oolongs, shu, sheng, etc. Sort of my own little personal aesthetic, I guess : )
I drink all the steepings, usually over the course of an afternoon/evening.
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