A nice Japanese tea set will enhance your green tea time.
A simple Japanese tea set can make your brewing process easier
Having a simple Japanese ceramic teapot makes you easier to prepare green tea
Green tea is better brew in a teapot. A Japanese ceramic green tea teapot allows some space for tea leaves to expand in side. A Japanese ceramic teapot cost anywhere from $5~$100. I avoid cheaper one imported from China, which may contain lead.
The common style Japanese ceramic green tea teapot.
I use simple common style Japanese ceramic teapot. I got this in Japan, but you can get similar style pot in asian stores, or online stores. All you need is: a teapot and tea cups.
Green tea leaves will caught in the net
Notice that there is a infuser on the side where green tea will come out . This net helps catching smaller tea leaves, preventing your tea from having floaters. A lot of Japanese ceramic teapots come with removable infuser, and those are much easier to clean after use.
A malfunction ceramic teapot
A teapot without a infuser cause a bit of hassle. My cute old Japanese teapot shown left does not have a infuser . It has small holes where I pour tea, but it doesn't prevent smaller leaves coming through, which resulting lots of clutters floating in my tea cup.You can be patient not to disturb deposit on the bottom of your cup while drinking, but that's pretty annoying.
Tea server
Tea server is a good alternative. One with small holes inside like this one on the right picture, will brew a good tea with no floaters. It gets floaters when holes are too large. So look for the tea server with smaller holes.Heat resistant glass let you see the expansion of tea leaf, and color, so it's easier to see when it's ready. And it's also stylish! You can brew all sorts of tea with this tea server.
You can find them in the stores near you or online stores.
Cast iron Japanese teapot "tetsubin"
You can cook this Japanese cast iron teapot "tetsubin" directly on your stove. It's durable. Don't fill up the teapot all the way when you boil. About eight-tenths of water will do the good job.Put loose green tea leaves after water is boiled, and cook it for a while. Do not touch the handle without kitchen gloves! It could get really hot.
Do not scrub this cast iron teapot. Avoid cleanser, use a sponge. Rub it gently when you wash. Dry it well, so that it won't get rusty. In this way, you can use this Japanese cast iron teapot for long life, since it never cracks.
Japanese ceramic tea set stores.
I took this picture from this near by tea set store while I was in Japan. A Japanese ceramic teapot is called "kyusu," and a Japanese ceramic teacup is called "yunomi" in Japanese.It is fun to investigate ceramic ware stores. When you travel Japan, make sure to stop by.