seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

As with any piece of hardware (both food-related and not), you get what
you pay for.

I recently bought a stoneware gaiwan for $50, and I love it. If you're
willing to pay a lot for something you're relatively certain will last
a long time, it'll always seem like it was worth the money.

For you treasure most what you pay most for. :P

-Drew


Zarky Zork wrote:
seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

Drew, I think it's a matter of personal aesthetics here.
I often prefer gaiwans that are cheaper, not because
they are cheaper, but I like the spontaneous brush
strokes as opposed to the carefully wraught perfect
designs of the most expensive types. As for lasting
a long time, I can flip the lid of a forociously expensive
gaiwan onto a cement floor as fast as I can destroy the
lid of a cheap one. I think generally most gaiwans are
equally destructable. BTW, stoneware gaiwans are
much too heavy for my taste. But, this speaks about
my taste, not about the quality of gaiwans, right?

We can talk about the ease of handling a given gaiwan.
Old ones were *not* user friendly because the lid knobs
were shallow and wide and hard to grasp. Size and shape
also affect ease of handling. I suspect the size of your
hand will influence your gaiwan choice. And then, the
gaiwan lid should not fit as a perfect round within the
cup, but rather be slightly off center. That way, you are
not fighting to pour the tea from the gaiwan since a small
iopen arc is created. Much to discuss.

I'm on record as really liking Jing and Seb's gaiwans.
I've got a Bao Zhong in one right now, although sadly,
I've also got a horrendous cold, so good tea is wasted
on me this week. Yuk.
Michael

[Drew]
As with any piece of hardware (both food-related and not), you get what
you pay for.

I recently bought a stoneware gaiwan for $50, and I love it. If you're
willing to pay a lot for something you're relatively certain will last
a long time, it'll always seem like it was worth the money.

For you treasure most what you pay most for. :P
-Drew

[Zarky Zork (could you be the famous Barky Bark?)]
Zarky Zork wrote:
seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

I'll completely agree with that, Michael.

The world of wares, in general, is a confusing place, especially with
the increase in mass production over the past century. I guess that
since I'm an individual of a younger age, I'm quick to attach myself to
a gaiwan I believe to have been handcrafted with care and good intent,
especially since the rest of my world is so thoroughly filled with
cheap and mass-produced crap that breaks when I as much as glance at
it. I'm the same kind of young person who collects new music on vinyl,
marvels at analog electronics, and believes the best things in the
world were made in small quantities by a person with a full name who
takes pride in their craft. Am I sucker, or am I just able to
comprehend that everything in the world is relative and I'm just
another individual in a world of ~7 billion people?

*stares at half-finished lab report, due in two hours*

-Drew


Michael Plant wrote:
Drew, I think it's a matter of personal aesthetics here.
I often prefer gaiwans that are cheaper, not because
they are cheaper, but I like the spontaneous brush
strokes as opposed to the carefully wraught perfect
designs of the most expensive types. As for lasting
a long time, I can flip the lid of a forociously expensive
gaiwan onto a cement floor as fast as I can destroy the
lid of a cheap one. I think generally most gaiwans are
equally destructable. BTW, stoneware gaiwans are
much too heavy for my taste. But, this speaks about
my taste, not about the quality of gaiwans, right?

We can talk about the ease of handling a given gaiwan.
Old ones were *not* user friendly because the lid knobs
were shallow and wide and hard to grasp. Size and shape
also affect ease of handling. I suspect the size of your
hand will influence your gaiwan choice. And then, the
gaiwan lid should not fit as a perfect round within the
cup, but rather be slightly off center. That way, you are
not fighting to pour the tea from the gaiwan since a small
iopen arc is created. Much to discuss.

I'm on record as really liking Jing and Seb's gaiwans.
I've got a Bao Zhong in one right now, although sadly,
I've also got a horrendous cold, so good tea is wasted
on me this week. Yuk.
Michael

[Drew]
As with any piece of hardware (both food-related and not), you get what
you pay for.

I recently bought a stoneware gaiwan for $50, and I love it. If you're
willing to pay a lot for something you're relatively certain will last
a long time, it'll always seem like it was worth the money.

For you treasure most what you pay most for. :P
-Drew

[Zarky Zork (could you be the famous Barky Bark?)]
Zarky Zork wrote:
seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

"Zarky Zork" wrote in message
m...
seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

I'm using a glass gaiwan I got at Wing Hop Fung in LA for $4. It's my
first, and, when I have the time, I'm really enjoying exploring teas with
it. I think a hand-painted porcelain one would be nice, but as Michael
noted it's as easy to drop an expensive one as cheap, and with a cheap one I
concentrate on the tea, not the tool. OTOH, if part of the tea experience
for you is enjoying the art and craftsmanship the gaiwan represents, then
cost is not an issue.

Dean

Zarky Zork wrote:
seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

Yes.

I kinda resisted at first myself, but they quickly won a large spot in
my heart and tea routine. Especially at work, where the ease of use and
cleanup is great.

I will actually say to go for the cheaper ~$10 or less option myself. I
bought a couple while I was in NY and I actually prefer the cheaper
ones. I have to 100% agree with Michael that I will take a rough
painted cup over a meticulously sculpted and painted one any day of the
week. I do like the lid to fit well and the overall appearance to be
nice, but I don;t have any need for the expensive ones. In fact I tend
to let my teaware choose me, if I'm buying a Yixing teapot I will stand
in front of the entire selection and go with the one that stands out to
me without even looking at prices. And normally this tends to be the
lower priced ones almost every time. I also like to have a connection
or story behind each piece, more than just waltzing into a store and
walking out with a new teapot/cup. I pick stuff up while on vacations
to new places, or from a friend, or for a gift, etc. so that I have a
bond that means much more than just a dollar value or an "experts"
opinion on the quality/maker. It also makes it that much harder when,
like Michael, I futz a lid onto the floor... but I even have kept a
bamboo style Yixing that I knocked the lid knob off of... the teapot is
till fine and the lid serviceable, it gives it "character."

All stories aside, pick one up. Price does not matter to get you
started.

- Dominic
Drinking: Vintage Oolong

I'll completely agree with that, Michael.

The world of wares, in general, is a confusing place, especially with
the increase in mass production over the past century. I guess that
since I'm an individual of a younger age, I'm quick to attach myself to
a gaiwan I believe to have been handcrafted with care and good intent,
especially since the rest of my world is so thoroughly filled with
cheap and mass-produced crap that breaks when I as much as glance at
it. I'm the same kind of young person who collects new music on vinyl,
marvels at analog electronics, and believes the best things in the
world were made in small quantities by a person with a full name who
takes pride in their craft. Am I sucker, or am I just able to
comprehend that everything in the world is relative and I'm just
another individual in a world of ~7 billion people?

*stares at half-finished lab report, due in two hours*

-Drew


Yes. Just one word of caution to what you wrote above: Mass
produced wares are not by definition bad; some have style,
excellent design, functionality, etc. A well designed glass mug
that fits comfortably in your hand and pleases your eye is a lot
better than the poorly crafted, albeit hand made junk so readily
available. Sorry to pontificate. I feel strongly about the quality
of craft we see. Sometimes the craftsmanship is flawless, but the
design and form are dead and deadly dull. Those are my opinions,
no more.

Michael

Gaiwans are form and function more than price. You'll spend more money
on finding one that 'fits' your needs. They're far less forgiving than
the pot and cup. My only advice look for the ones with the deep seated
saucer. Buy a tea towel and spare parts. I brew in 1 liter glass pots
and drink out of half liter glass cup so I think they're cute.

Jim

Zarky Zork wrote:
seen some gaiwans for ~$10 and less online recently.. before that only saw
'em for ~$40.. way too much. Are they really "all that"?

Space 10/10/06


Gaiwans are form and function more than price. You'll spend more money
on finding one that 'fits' your needs. They're far less forgiving than
the pot and cup. My only advice look for the ones with the deep seated
saucer. Buy a tea towel and spare parts. I brew in 1 liter glass pots
and drink out of half liter glass cup so I think they're cute.
Jim

Jim, what's the purpose of the deep seated saucer?
Are you one of those three part grasp guys? I tried
it and not only killed the lid, but the damned gaiwan
itself popped out from between the saucer and the lid,
and guess what happened to it? I make no claims for
advanced technique.
Michael

I have a feeling the OP is asking whether or not ANY gaiwan is worth
the trouble.

In which case, I'd answer yes.

Gaiwans give you more control than anything else (maybe besides small
pots) in terms of ability to brew tea, and it's versatile.

Michael Plant wrote:
Space 10/10/06


Gaiwans are form and function more than price. You'll spend more money
on finding one that 'fits' your needs. They're far less forgiving than
the pot and cup. My only advice look for the ones with the deep seated
saucer. Buy a tea towel and spare parts. I brew in 1 liter glass pots
and drink out of half liter glass cup so I think they're cute.
Jim

Jim, what's the purpose of the deep seated saucer?
Are you one of those three part grasp guys? I tried
it and not only killed the lid, but the damned gaiwan
itself popped out from between the saucer and the lid,
and guess what happened to it? I make no claims for
advanced technique.
Michael

Michael Plant wrote:
Jim, what's the purpose of the deep seated saucer?
Are you one of those three part grasp guys? I tried
it and not only killed the lid, but the damned gaiwan
itself popped out from between the saucer and the lid,
and guess what happened to it? I make no claims for
advanced technique.
Michael

Not to answer for him, but I agree with Jim, a nice deep-seated saucer
is a big plus. I am a "three part grasp guy" and I like to see a 1/2"
of the cup sit down into the saucer and fairly tightly, not sloppy. No
chance of the gaiwan popping out this way.

- Dominic

Dominic 10/10/06



Michael Plant wrote:
Jim, what's the purpose of the deep seated saucer?
Are you one of those three part grasp guys? I tried
it and not only killed the lid, but the damned gaiwan
itself popped out from between the saucer and the lid,
and guess what happened to it? I make no claims for
advanced technique.
Michael

Not to answer for him, but I agree with Jim, a nice deep-seated saucer
is a big plus. I am a "three part grasp guy" and I like to see a 1/2"
of the cup sit down into the saucer and fairly tightly, not sloppy. No
chance of the gaiwan popping out this way.

I have *nothing* against the three part grasp.
I will say however that I have *never* seen
anyone engage it, even among my friends of
serious Chinese origin, some of whom brew
tea all day long. I think Roy Fong supports
the TPG (not to be confused with the TPG,
which stands for the "two part grasp").
Gasp!
Michael

"Michael Plant" wrote in message
...
Dominic 10/10/06



Michael Plant wrote:
Jim, what's the purpose of the deep seated saucer?
Are you one of those three part grasp guys? I tried
it and not only killed the lid, but the damned gaiwan
itself popped out from between the saucer and the lid,
and guess what happened to it? I make no claims for
advanced technique.
Michael

Not to answer for him, but I agree with Jim, a nice deep-seated saucer
is a big plus. I am a "three part grasp guy" and I like to see a 1/2"
of the cup sit down into the saucer and fairly tightly, not sloppy. No
chance of the gaiwan popping out this way.

I have *nothing* against the three part grasp.
I will say however that I have *never* seen
anyone engage it, even among my friends of
serious Chinese origin, some of whom brew
tea all day long. I think Roy Fong supports
the TPG (not to be confused with the TPG,
which stands for the "two part grasp").
Gasp!
Michael

Michael, the saucer insulates your hand from a potentially hot cup. Yes,
I'm a "3PG" person too. My cheap 3-4 oz glass gaiwan meets Dominic's
specifications, and I find it easy to pick up and use. I rarely drink
directly from the gaiwan - if I'm evaluating an oolong and want a 20 or
30-second steep, how can I do that and drink directly from the cup? I use
it almost exclusively for brewing, and then quickly drain it into another
cup for drinking.

My $0.02.

Dean

Michael Plant wrote:
I have *nothing* against the three part grasp.
I will say however that I have *never* seen
anyone engage it, even among my friends of
serious Chinese origin, some of whom brew
tea all day long. I think Roy Fong supports
the TPG (not to be confused with the TPG,
which stands for the "two part grasp").
Gasp!
Michael

Really? In all of my experience and the paintings and photo's I have
ever seen involving gaiwans, the individual is always employing the
3PG... in fact a cookbook I just picked up this weekend has a few very
large photo's of a few old Chinese men drinking from gaiwans by only
holding the rim of the saucer and no lids in place (one guy has a lid
on).

I'm guessing there is no definitive answer or "correct" way, but I'm
now intrigued and will look into this further to see if it is a
cultural thing/varies by region. I do like the extra insulation it
affords me while drinking from it though, and as long as it sits down
in by a half-inch or so I've never had a problem.

- Dominic

MarshalN wrote:
Gaiwans give you more control than anything else (maybe besides small
pots) in terms of ability to brew tea, and it's versatile.

Also very easy to clean, even away from running water - shake out the
leaves and wipe dry.

Perhaps a holdover from lab days: I hold the rim between thumb and
middle finger, hold the top on with forefinger, pour by pitching the
wrist down and away. This gives enough control actually to adjust the
pouring crescent in real time if leaves jam or start to come through.
With some gaiwans, I put a piece of cork in the top for fingertip
insulation. Never use the saucer.

Speaking of which, I've only found (and then lost) one web site that
sells two-part gaiwans with a broader base. Can someone please identify
vendors of such rarities?

Maybe time for another poll (or not).

-DM