Dominic T. wrote:
> Yes, if we are speaking solely about Japanese tea ceremony then this is
> correct. However, not many modern folks do in Japan or abroad but many
> still use the tetsubin in their homes and in almost every case I see
> them actually brewing tea in them not just heating water. These are the
> new tetsubin that are made of an alloy not supposed to rust and come
> with the strainer built in that you can buy in home stores and kitchen
> shops(...)
> I also have a personal dislike of metal in my tea brewing
> process, so I'm admittedly biased.

You aren't biased! Tea and iron (or steel) just don't mix well. (So, I
don't use a filter.) I absolutely agree with you on this point and
that's why I think we should give answers that are consistent with how
tea 'ought' to be brewed according to tradition, rather than just
observations of how modern people brew tea nowadays. However, high
value metals like gold or silver are actually excellent to make tea in
them (Lu Yu already said so long time ago). They are highly heat
conductive and brew tea at higher temperatures than clay.

> I guess it depends on what kind of tea you drink and how you brew it, I
> still find completely drying the teapot inside each time to be a bit of
> a drag when so many other alternatives are out there that also retain
> heat well.

What are you using then?

Stéphane