Many things are associated with Japan. Anime, Sushi, and the Kyusu teapots. Kyusu teapots are hand-made and the only real ones are made in Japan. Originally an orange-red color that was derived from the clay in Tokoname, Japan they are now found in many different colors and have varied designs. Kyusu actually means teapot in Japanese, any teapot. If you go to the store and ask for Kyusu teapot you will get a rounded teapot that has a side handle which is open and cylindrical in shape. A small mesh screen inside the teapot keeps the loose tea leaves inside from getting into your teacup.

Usually for the individual

Like any other teapot the Kyusu teapot has many different sizes. You can procure a Kyusu teapot for an individual, which means it only holds enough for one serving. Or you can get Kyusu teapots large enough to serve 12 or more people. Unlike other teapots, the Kyusu teapot has a definite shape to it. Although they may change in size they do not change in design.

Green tea's best friend

Green tea is very particular about what type of pot it likes to be brewed in. A cast iron teapot would ruin a good pot of green tea. Metal and green do not mix. The green tea will pull the flavor of the metal from the cast iron teapot and ruin the flavor. The Kyusu teapot is perfect for green tea steeping because it is made from ceramics. The perfect cup of tea requires the perfect conditions for the flavor to come out.

The origins of the Kyusu teapot

Tokoname, Japan is known as one of the "Six Old Kilns of Japan". This does not mean that it is one big kiln. It has gained this designation because the city is one of the major centers of stoneware production in Japan. This area is situated in the Aichi prefecture, which is in near the center of the main island of Honshu. Anyone who has visited Japan knows that the air is permeated by the rich culture and traditions of their lifestyle. This aspect transitions into the fine detailing and composition of Kyusu teapots. Craftsmanship like this does not happen overnight. The centuries of workmanship has been obviously passed down from one generation to the next. Giving the Six Old Kilns the respect and admiration they deserve for their devotion to producing fine merchandise.

A unique design

A Kyusu teapot has a very different handle. Placed either at the back or on the side of the teapot it is positioned so that the tea can be poured from the Kyusu teapot with a simple turning of the wrist. A mesh screen is sometimes put into the teapot to filter out tea leaves when pouring. Although, Kyusu means teapot in Japanese this particular teapot is very easy to spot because of its unique design.

Washing has never been so easy

Relatively easy to care for the Kyusu teapot is a great addition to your tea drinking paraphernalia. Simply rinse the Kyusu teapot with clear water. No soap or special detergents to clean or maintain a Kyusu teapot. Once the teapot is washed you are ready to use it again. What could be easier?

Take a trip to the mall, Kyusu teapots can generally be found at specialty stores, in Asian areas of towns, and on the internet. Beauty and elegance are inherent in the design and composition of these wonderful teapots. Owning one will beautify your home in its uniqueness and you can get a great cup of tea as well.

Add Asian style to your tea time with a japanese teapot or a chinese teapot that's both functional and decorative.

Posted under green tea

Tea-making is considered an art in Japan. As such, the making teapots is also a work of art. You will find a wide selection of teapots in Japan, ranging from simple earthen vessels to highly decorative porcelain vessels with intricate details. There are also simple buy charming Japanese teapots that can be topics of conversation while friends are having tea with one another. People choose their teapots for ease of handling and for the way they retain the heat in the water. Some earthen ware impart a particular flavor to tea that other people are partial to.

Yokode Kyusu teapots have their handles on the sides or 45 degrees away from the spout of the teapot. The handle can have two shapes. It may be an elongated handle or a circular handle resembling the European teapot. Because the handle is attached directly to the teapot, this type of Japanese teapot is easier to control. They also made mostly of ceramic or porcelain. Because the user has better control over the vessel, for occasions where important people will be present, Yokode Kyusu tea pots are used.

Yokode Kyusu teapots came in many colors, shapes and designs. The range of colors is practically endless, you can have pink flowers embossed on the handles, ears of kittens formed on the lids and even teapots that are shaped like Buddha's belly. The spout of the pot will also differ from one design to the next. There are spouts that enlarge as they extend outward so that the tea flow out freely. This type of Japanese teapot would be used in an informal gathering of friends and relatives. On the other hand some spouts are finely shaped and have small outlets. These are the types that are used in formal gatherings.

The Ushirode Kyusu has its handle attached to the teapot's body as well. However, this time, the handle is opposite the spout of the Japanese teapot rather than on the side. Most people find this type of Japanese teapot easier to use because the hand doesn't have to be twisted to pour out the tea.

The Gobin Japanese teapots were originally made of metal and were used for brewing medicinal tea. The handle is a strip of rattan or bamboo that is attached to two ears of the pot. One ear is directly behind the spout and the other ear is on the opposite side of the Japanese teapot. The reason for this is that medicinal teas usually took a longer time to prepare and the metal pot would be boiling hot by the time the medicine could be poured. Placing the handle in that arrangement prevents the user from being scorched as would be likely to happen if the handle was a structure built into the pot as in the Yokode Kyusu, for instance.

You can find more interesting information about Japanese teapots on the web.
Doc. No:1108-CF-ULT5-lkj3

Add Asian style to your team time with kyusu teapots and Yixing teapots that brew your favorite tea and look great in the kitchen.

Posted under green tea

Perhaps most people today are familiar with the famous Japanese cast iron teapots, otherwise referred to as 'Tetsubins'. As it is widely known, cast iron kitchenwares are famous for their ability to trap and retain heat. Cast iron wares are also loved for their sturdiness, thus making it a perfect material to use for kitchenware. Most cast iron teapots today are made with a handy enamel coating that helps prevent rust formation. Note, however, that cast iron teapots used to boil water lack this enamel coating since heat may make the teapot crack.

Why use cast iron teapots?

The first and perhaps the major benefit of using cast iron teapots is their ability to make unrivaled superbly tasting tea. The material used to make these teapots - cast iron, is known to evenly distribute heat on the surface, something that is very useful when making tea. A well seasoned teapot has the ability to absorb and retain the taste and aroma of the tea being brewed, and as a result the type of tea being brewed in the teapot ends up tasting much better. Their ability to retain heat is the other benefit of using cast iron teapots since tea can remain hot for over an hour.

What to look for in cast iron teapots

It is widely agreed that the best cast iron teapots in the market today are manufactured in Japan. Cast iron teapots are made by highly skilled and experienced Japanese craftsmen, and the process itself takes a lot of time and effort, sometimes even taking up to 15 different craftsmen to work on a single pot. Therefore, the first and most important thing to look at when you want to buy cast iron teapots is to keep in mind that most cast iron teapots can never be used for heating water.

While there are some teapots that can be used over low flame gas burners, before you buy your teapot, ensure you go through the instructions as regards to how it should, or shouldn't be used. Another important consideration when it comes to buying cast iron teapots is the design. Most people, especially teapot collectors, consider cast iron teapots to be real masterpieces, which makes perfect sense when you understand the amount of time and effort that go into making a single cast iron teapot. There are cast iron teapots in the market that are minimalistic in their design, and others are elaborate with different styles and symbols among other decorative items engraved on the surfaces. For instance, you will find some cast iron teapots with ornate handles and carved spouts, all meant to enhance their design.

Cast iron teapots are highly priced but the extra dollars are well worth it considering the fact that they are very durable and can be passed down generations if well taken good care of. They are a real investment, more so for people who relish taking loose leaf tea!
Doc. No:1108-CF-ULT5-lkj3

Add Asian style to your tea time with a Cast Iron Tea pot or Yixing tea set that's both functional and decorative.

Posted under green tea