Japanese Kyusu Teapots

Series Summary

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, second only to water. It is an infusion of processed leaves, buds, or twigs of a tea bush steeped in hot water, offering a multitude of subtle medicinal benefits and comfort. Originating in southeast Asia, tea has an array of creation myths, including Chinese Emperor Shennong's serendipitous consumption of the mystic beverage in 2737 BC. Containing over seven hundred chemicals, tea possesses proven health benefits like antioxidants, heart disease prevention, blood pressure normalization, and aiding digestion. Whether drinking for spiritual fulfillment or medicinal aid, tea is a comforting beverage enjoyed hot or cold, green or black, sweet or earthy. Before brewing tea, picking out the right teapot produces the best cup of tea. In this free tea brewing video series, a tea lounge owner demonstrates how to use different types of teapots. Learn to use different Japanese designed teapots as well as pots made from ceramic, cast iron, and glass. Learn which teas are best for each type of pot. Start brewing the perfect cup of tea with this informative guide.

Video Transcript

"How do you brew tea with a Japanese kyusu teapot? This is a Japanese kyusu teapot. What makes it this style, is that it has a side handle, and you hold it like such. Usually, this style teapot is used to brew Japanese green tea. This is a Bancha. You can brew this. Any style of Japanese green tea is fine for this teapot, except for the Mancha Green Tea, which is the stone grind one, that's powder. Today, I'm going to use the Sensha Green Tea, as an example, and you put a little scoop of tea in here. If you want stronger flavor green tea, you're welcome to put more tea leaves, because this style of brewing allows you to make quick infusions, and drink it many more times. For example, once I put the tea leaves in, I put my hot water in, but I pour it a little bit above the rim, only because during the time of the water, that's coming from the water kettle to the teapot, it's cooling down the water a little bit more, and then you shake it a little bit more, and then you count about thirty seconds to a minute. You pour it out to the different tea cups, and you serve it, like so. Then after your guests finish drinking, you can add more hot water into your teapot, and you simply pour more tea out for your guests. This is the quick and easy way to make Sensha Green Tea, and there's already a filter, that's built right inside the teapot."