On Sep 10, 11:08 am, Jazzy > wrote:
> i need some help regarding kyusu. i was checking out some kyusu online
> from vendor like maikotea, o-cha and etc...anyone had experiences with
> buying japanese wares. i want to get some better quality ones but not
> too sure which vendor to go to. most of the kyusu are made by japanese
> clay. What about yixing one? i have seen some chinese kyusu but not
> too sure if the effect would be the same by brewing japanese green tea
> in it. chinese kyusus are made from yixing clay. i dont brew my
> chinese green tea in yixing teapots.
>
> Right now I am using gaiwan for my chinese green tea and japanese
> green tea. But been reading about kuysu lately, and found out that it
> does improve the flavor of green tea by using it. can i used the same
> kuysu to brew gyokuro, sencha, mecha, kukicha and all the different
> japanese tea?
>
> Also if anyone know where I could find an battery operated matcha
> whisk? I think it was from bodum. I can't seem to find the store that
> sells it anymore. It can be tiring to whisk matcha sometimes

I tend to buy Kyusu in the $40-60 range myself, and the quality is
always decent. I'm not a fanatic for top-end wares since I am more old-
school in my tea drinking and stick to the more "commoner" gear. No
one outside of royalty was using any super high-end gear back in the
day and I'm sure their enjoyment of the tea was ten fold that of the
nobility. I stay away from very cheesy junk, but just about anything
beyond that will serve the purpose and last a long time if cared for.
The Dragonfly one from O-cha seems nice, good size, nice design, and
seems middle of the road.

I will say that I rarely use my kyusu so you may want to re-evaluate
the need for one. I'd be wary of those telling you that it is going to
change the flavor. I tend to use either gaiwan, my three piece mug, or
a glass tea pot for my greens. I also have one Yixing I use for
jasmine green even though it is not "correct." I like the glass teapot
since it allows you and your guests to see the color, and watch the
leaves. Kyusu tend to be more decorative for me now.

If you go with a glazed one (interior) then you can use it for
multiple teas with no problem.

You could use one of those little battery operated cappuchino/frother
things, they sell them at a dollar store by my house even. Although, I
have to say I've never gotten a workout making matcha. The thought is
similar to nails on a chalkboard to me to use one with matcha... but
don't let that stop you.

good luck!
- Dominic
http://teasphere.wordpress.com