How to choose a Japanese teapot: kyusu, tetsubin or porcelain?
Posted by JEAN PASTEUR
The material of a teapot affects how the tea inside it tastes. This is not mysticism - it is chemistry and physics. An unglazed clay pot is porous, and that porosity means it absorbs flavour compounds, tea oils and mineral traces from every brew conducted in it. Over time, the accumulated seasoning changes how subsequent teas taste in that vessel. A porcelain pot, being non-porous, does not do this - it brews each tea neutrally. A cast iron tetsubin does something different again: it releases trace iron into the heated water, which is said to affect the water's mineral balance and, in turn, the flavour of anything brewed in it. Choosing a Japanese teapot means choosing which of these interactions you want.
The kyusu: clay for green tea
The kyusu is the classic Japanese side-handle teapot, usually made from unglazed or partially glazed clay. The finest come from Tokoname, where iron-rich clay is traditionally associated with softening the tannins in green tea. A Tokoname kyusu used exclusively for sencha over five years performs differently from the same pot on its first use. The clay builds flavour memory - which is why serious tea drinkers dedicate each pot to a single tea type and never use soap. Browse our Tokoname pottery collection.
The tetsubin: iron for water quality
A cast iron tetsubin is not used for brewing tea directly - the iron will react with tannins and the weight makes precise pouring into small cups difficult. Its purpose is heating water. The iron in the kettle walls releases minerals into the water as it heats, changing its mineral profile in ways that tea masters describe as softening - making the water rounder and more suitable for delicate green teas. Use water from a tetsubin to brew in a kyusu or separate vessel. Browse our kettles collection and Iwachu range.
Porcelain: neutral and versatile
Porcelain is non-porous, chemically neutral and does not accumulate seasoning. This makes it ideal for drinkers who brew many different tea types in the same vessel, or for teas with complex, delicate characters that should not be influenced by the pot. Porcelain teapots can be washed with soap and are generally dishwasher safe. Explore our teapots collection for a full range.
How to choose
If you primarily drink Japanese green teas - sencha, gyokuro, fukamushi - a Tokoname kyusu is the right choice. If you drink multiple types of tea or want versatility, porcelain suits you better. If you want to invest in the ritual of heating water well and appreciate the aesthetic of cast iron, start with a tetsubin from Iwachu. Pair whatever you choose with our tea cups and green tea selection.
Explore more: tea ceremony tools and our full teaware collection.
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