Teapots & Burners

Why brew with a kyusu teapot?

A kyusu has its handle on the side, so you can lift and pour with one easy turn of the wrist. It’s smaller than a British teapot because Japanese green tea is brewed in short infusions and poured out completely each time. That’s what keeps every cup sweet and fresh, since leaves left sitting in hot water soon turn bitter. With a good loose-leaf sencha, you’ll enjoy two or three cups from the same leaves.

If you drink fine-leaf green tea, choose a pot with a good strainer to keep the leaves out of your cup. The Shudei kyusu, made from classic terracotta clay, comes with its own steel tea strainer, so it’s a lovely choice for anyone new to brewing loose-leaf tea.

Choosing the right Japanese teapot

Think about how you like to drink your tea. Smaller kyusu are perfect for brewing sencha or gyokuro for one or two people, when you want to drain the pot quickly between infusions. Larger pots suit sharing at the table, or more forgiving teas such as genmaicha and hojicha.

Then choose a finish you’ll love using every day. The Shudei pot has a warm, earthy red tone, whilst the Tokonameyaki kyusu is decorated with tobikanna, a delicate pattern carved into the clay as it turns. Isobe Shoten’s Takasuke and Tosei pots offer smooth ivory and richly textured black finishes. Because these are crafted pieces, each one has its own subtle character.

Pair your pot with a set of Japanese tea cups and your favourite Japanese tea, or choose a ready-matched Japanese tea set.

The chakouro tea burner

A chakouro is a traditional Japanese tea burner. Place a spoonful of green tea leaves in the dish, light the tealight beneath, and as the leaves gently warm they release a sweet, toasty aroma, much like hojicha being roasted. It’s a simple way to make a room feel calm and welcoming, and our rustic brown chakouro looks just as good on a shelf when it isn’t lit.