When you buy a new teapot, Kyusu (急須) called in Japanese, it is important to "prepare your kyusu" before rushing to use it. It is important to prepare your new teapot well so that you can enjoy it for a long time.
Before use...
1) Rinse well under running water
Before using a new kyusu, wash it well under running water. Washing removes dirt and impurities from the surface of the kyusu, leaving it clean. Especially with pottery kyusu, there are fine spaces between the particles, and washing removes dirt and odors that may have gotten into these spaces.
2) Dry naturally
After washing, dry the kyusu thoroughly. Drying the teapot naturally allows the water to evaporate completely and removes moisture from the inside of the kyusu. Drying the kyusu thoroughly will prevent the growth of mold and bacteria and ensure a long life of enjoyment.
Porcelain kyusu has small gaps between the particles, so washing it is not a problem, but special care should be taken with ceramic kyusu because of the gaps. By making these preparations before rushing to use it, you can enjoy delicious tea for a long time.
Daily Care of Kyusu
Daily care of your kyusu is essential for enjoying a good cup of tea. Here are some tips for daily maintenance.1) Cleaning
Wash the Kyusu after each use. Do not use detergent or bleach, and rinse only with water or hot water. Especially with ceramic teapots, rinsing with water is sufficient, as detergents can get into the small holes on the surface of the teapot and affect the taste and aroma. Removing tea bags.
Clean the tea leaves after use. If tea leaves are left in the kyusu, they may cause the growth of bacteria and unpleasant odors.
2) Drying
After washing, dry the kyusu thoroughly. Be careful to dry the inside of the kyusu, the spout, and the tea strainer area so that no water droplets remain. It is important to dry the kyusu thoroughly, as any remaining moisture increases the risk of bacterial growth.
By taking good care of your kyusu every day and carefully cleaning it each time you use it, you will always be able to enjoy a delicious cup of tea. In order to use your Kyusu for a long time without losing its color, aroma, or taste, take good care of it every day.
3) The use of a soft toothbrush is also acceptable.
A kyusu brush is useful for washing the tea strainer. It can be used to scrape off tea leaves on the mesh that are difficult to wash with a sponge, or to remove sliminess by inserting it into the spout. The use of a soft toothbrush is also recommended.
4) Hard objects such as a tawashi are not recommended.
Depending on the type of teapot, it is best not to use a metal scourer as it may damage the tea container. Use a soft sponge for washing.
Taking good care of your Kyusu
Even if you take good care of your kyusu every day, it may sometimes smell or have tea stains. In such cases, it may be effective to try "bleaching". The following are the steps for bleaching:
1) Preparation
Fill a pot or bowl with enough water to soak the entire teapot. Then use the bleach. Be sure to read the instructions carefully, as the amount of bleach you need depends on the type of bleach you use. A general rule of thumb is to use about 50 ml of bleach per 5 liters of water.
2) Bleaching
Add the bleach to the prepared water, making sure the teapot is fully submerged. Place the teapot in the water and let it soak in the bleach for about 30 minutes. During this time, the bleach will penetrate the teapot and remove tea stains and odors.
3) Rinse
After 30 minutes, remove the kyusu and rinse thoroughly under running water. It is important to rinse carefully so that no bleach remains. If bleach remains, it may cause unpleasant odors and taste changes.