JAPANESE GREEN TEA CO. Red Clay pot for (9oz) – Traditional Clay pot Made in Tokoname with Floral Design – Fine Mesh System for Fukamushi Deep Steaming

This is an aesthetically beautiful Japanese red clay pot that also makes a perfect cup of green tea. The fashioning of clay tea pots is an ancient art. Not only must they please the eye but they must make a fine cup of tea, pleasing the palette of a tea connoisseur. But there's one other function a clay tea pot was intended to perform: as the center piece of a cultural and social ceremony (and if matcha was brewed, as the focus of a religious ritual).By the 13th century there began a tradition of tea tasting - similar to modern wine tasting parties - in which participants (usually Samurai) would guess the provenance of the finest quality teas and the most adept would win extravagant prizes. Creating beautiful tea pots has both a solemn devotional purpose as well as a social one, in which simplicity is highly prized.This is a beautiful tea pot, adorned with flowers and made using red clay, which has a significant iron content that absorbs the bitter taste of catechins in green tea, mellowing it and improving its flavor. I enjoy gazing at this artistically designed tea pot as an object of contemplative beauty. But its role is also highly functional: its mesh interior allows the loose leaves of tea to infuse perfectly, releasing all of their flavor.This Japanese red clay tea pot is an exemplar of what was known in the early 20th century as "art for use". I use it to make a perfect cup of green tea. Because the flavor, aroma and tannins of tea leaves will be absorbed by clay over time, I intend to use it exclusively for brewing green tea, avoiding the impact of strong black tea on the clay. Combining artistry and functionality, this red clay tea pot has become a joy to own.

Pros:BeautifulHolds heat wellComes with screen to catch tea leavesPours like a high end teapot (no dribbles, very smooth)Cons:Mine came with a permanent screen and I thought I was getting the model with the removable screen. If you drink tea daily, having the permanent screen is probably perfect for you. However, I'm not a daily green tea drinker and I'm worried about not being about to get it clean enough between uses.My spouse did not like the outer texture, it's almost like a fine grain sandpaper on the main body. The handle is smooth. I liked the pot's texture though.Both of the cons are purely personal preferences and do not take away from the overall quality. I really do wish I had the removable screen model though.This is a small tea pot, good for a single mug or two maybe three small teacups, if you are doing the ceremony-style. After it's done brewing, you will want to pour all of it. Especially without the removable screen. I find it gets too bitter if it steeps for too long. With good green tea leaves, you can do another steep or two with fresh water.

Overall, very charming little teapot.- Traditional style with modern twist.- I'm impressed by the 'all around mesh' system and it's quality. Not flimsy, very nicely finished. It allows tea leaves to move freely in the pot. I was afraid cleaning may be cumbersome but that's not the case. Just rinse it out. No problem. You can also use a sponge and no bits get stuck on the mesh.- Lid fits beautifully. Doesn't move around, doesn't rattle. Fits like the last piece of puzzle. I have to admit, it is satisfying. You need to place your hand over the lid when pouring. Using both hands when you pour is both correct and elegant.- Size: Petite. See the pic. sitting next to popular measuring cups. I mainly use it for myself so this size is great.- The prettier (flowers) side is not for yourself but rather, to entertain your guest's eyes. That's their way. I rarely have guests. I have to turn it around -after pouring- to entertain myself. lol- Drips, 1 drop.This teapot is basically 5 stars BUT it drips. Just 1 drop but it drips. I figured, if I don't rush (pour gently), the first pour is NO drip. Maybe the second pour is clean, too, that is, if do it just right. After that, the tiny droplet on the spout tip gets bigger each time you pour and eventually gravity wins. I have other teapots which does that (both inexpensive and expensive) so it's not a unique problem to this product... but I also have teapots never drips. So I take a star off. You might be luckier than I am.- Best for right-handed user.I think this teapot is best for right-handed. Being a traditional product in Japan -many products used to be designed/made for right-handed users in mind-, I don't see this as a negative as I am right-handed myself. I just want to point it out so left-handed user can evaluate before purchasing. I imagine left-handed can still use it, it may not be the most comfortable arrangement.

This is a beautiful, traditional Japanese clay teapot. Clay from the Tokoname region is said to be high in iron, which somehow removes bitterness which makes the tea taste better and is said to preserve its antioxidant properties. This clay is both thinner and stronger than the Chinese yixing teapots, and does not require "seasoning" before use.The front of the teapot has a lovely floral design on a pink background that fades to a gradient dark brown-black. Inside the tea is lined with a fine mesh. Anticipating that it would be time consuming to remove the spent leaves from the built in filter, I used a removal filter/strainer. The packaging says this teapot is dishwasher safe, however this type of teapot is normally hand washed in water only; use a soft cloth only or turn it upside down to air dry. Soap or chemicals may be absorbed by the clay and affect the flavor of the tea.I am really enjoying this little teapot and am very happy to add it to my teapot collection.

This teapot is gorgeous. I got this for my dad who loves to drink loose leaf green teas. Red clay Japanese tea pots are highly sought after for its durability, craftsmanship and flavor it provides for the tea. It is a traditional way of drinking tea. The tea pot is perfect for about 2 to 3 cups of tea. I love the built in mesh which makes drinking loose leaf tea very easy. Highly recommend for any tea drinker.