Green Tea Forum

sleepyredmoo · Posted: Jun 24, 2008 8:54 am Post subject: open kyusu

I've seen these open kyusu in a number of places, has anyone heard of them they have no lid, they're quite thick and they have the strainer built in around the spout. I'm thinking of getting one, but i want to know if any of you have had any experience with them and could tell me if you liked them or not.

trent · Posted: Jun 24, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Could you post a picture of one? I've never seen one and am curious to see what it is.

sleepyredmoo · Posted: Jun 24, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

I don't have any pics but i have a link to a youtube video with a gut using one Smile

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NWT36gk6Bno

greenisgood · Black Belt Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 115

i've never heard of an open kyusu but a lot of times samashi water coolers are like that, they just don't have strainers

Chip · Posted: Jun 24, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

I never saw one sold anywhere...curious.

I would not have a lid to break...

I think retaining heat and aroma with a closed lid is better. But I never tried it either.

I never physically touch the dry leaf either with my fingers either as this guy does in the Youtube.

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 179

Some recommend brewing the lighter Chinese greens and whites in a gaiwan or teapot with the lid removed, allowing excess heat to escape quicker.

With the darker teas, they usually recommend filling with water right up to the lid, claiming the water will seal the lid and will improve the aroma.

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

bassaro.com sells these at reasonable price, for you living in europe it is safe and fast way to buy.

sleepyredmoo · Posted: Jun 25, 2008 1:38 am Post subject:

sleepyredmoo · Posted: Jun 25, 2008 1:39 am Post subject:

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

They also sell super high quality gyokuro from yame, competition grade, at least so they say.

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 195

Touching tea with your hands-fingers is definitely not a good idea. The oils found on human skin can easily impact the taste of your tea...

syntheticpanda · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 198

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 195

That may be true for some, but there are other reasons. If you pinch out more than you actually use and return the remainder to the rest of the tea, you can contaminate it. The other reason is that in many areas, if you are making tea for guests, touching it with your fingers would be something of an insult. Just one of the reasons they make scoops. To each his (or her) own... besides, if you miss a spot during rinsing and soap residue winds up in your tea, enjoy the bubbles...