Best cup & saucer sets according to redditors

Tray : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tasteful-Elegant-Bamboo-Chinese-Gongfu-Tea-Table-Serving-tray-39-5-22-7cm-L05-/230876203162?epid=1731920972&hash=item35c14b489a:m:mFBJqcxNsEvVLJAUcaSs-2Q
Pullout tray for liquid, nice size, and many have experienced that it last :_)

Gaiwan
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F6X60XC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bought a few of these and gave some out as well. Very basic, but easy to use and no issues.

Serving pot, my version is sold out... but so many at low cost https://yunnansourcing.com/collections/cha-hai (also check US site if you're in US)

The shibos are sold out :/

https://www.instagram.com/i.n.clay/ <-- but that's where it's from
If you ever see my pot (https://www.instagram.com/p/BUV1YtRA1AT/?taken-by=liquidproust) it's from the same person the the leaf holder is on here but you cannot really see it https://www.instagram.com/severo_vostok_om/

I think that covers it

Step 1: Acquire an ibrik / cezve / džezva

If you can, I recommend going somewhere local. If you have a local international market, or market that sells Arabic or Turkish foods, that would be best. You'll get a decent price there. It really shouldn't cost more than $10 (and I think that's pushing it).

If you can't find a place to purchase it locally, buy online. You might be tempted to get a fancy one, but those are expensive and not easy to clean because of the shape. Something simple and cheap like this works just as well.

Step 2: Acquire coffee cups

If you already have espresso cups, you can use those. However Turkish coffee is traditionally drank out of special cups, about this size/style here. If you've found a local place to get the ibrik, you can likely find cups there too.

Step 3: Acquire Turkish coffee

There are two options here. #1 which I think is easier and better, is to buy ground Turkish coffee. Once again, if you're at a local store that sells it, buy it there. It will likely be freshest and cheapest. Sometimes they also sell small packages of it, which might be good if you're trying to see if you like it.

Your second option, is to go to a grocery store or market that sells ground coffee - pick the coffee you want, and when you use the grinder machine, select "Turkish". It is the most fine setting. The problem with this method, is that the machine will never grind it as well as "real Turkish coffee". If you're planning to host a dinner party to show off your new Turkish coffee skills, do NOT do it this way.

Technically there is a third option. You can buy a Turkish coffee grinder. This way you can choose the beans, and get the finely ground consistency of real Turkish coffee. But be warned, these make for better ornamental displays in your home rather than grinding coffee. Also, I've never figured out how to clean the inside...

Step 4: Cook the coffee!

Fill an empty cup (the Turkish or espresso style) with water, and dump it into your ibrik. Place it on the stovetop on high heat. Once the water has just begun to boil, take 1 teaspoon of coffee grounds and place it into the water and stir. Watch carefully, because within 10 seconds the coffee will begin to rise. Keep stirring to prevent the coffee from pouring over the edge. Once the coffee begins to rise, remove it from the heat and wait for it to drop, then return it to the stovetop and let it rise one more time. When it starts to rise again, turn off the heat and you're done! Pour the coffee into the cup. Wait for it to cool, and enjoy

If you like your coffee with sugar, you can add that while it's cooking or after you've poured it into the cup. Also, Turkish coffee is NOT typically drank with milk or cream.

Step 5: When you're done drinking, turn the cup upside down (optional)

I actually don't know how prevalent this is in Turkey, but in former Yugoslavia where people drink a lot of Turkish coffee, this is what they often do.

And sometimes for fun people will do fortune telling by looking at the grounds inside the upside down cup. I don't know much about it, but it's fun to watch people do it.

haha it’s this weird thing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXOOO0Z i hate it

Welcome to the glorious other side! Listen to /u/hokahoka and get serious about water temperature and steep time. In addition, focus on water quality. Get a Pur or Brita filter pitcher and filter tap, or buy a gallon of spring water at the grocery store and use it exclusively. Water quality makes a WORLD of difference.

Get some sample packs from online tea retailers. I'm a big fan of Verdant, O-Cha and Holy Mountain.

Not sure about what you brewed with, but the IngenuiTEA is a good thing for loose leaf beginners. I still use mine that I bought a few years ago for certain teas. I also suggest a Gaiwan. With those two items and a cup, you can literally make anything and everything while maintaining the quality of your tea.

Also, an electric kettle is a must have. I still have my basic one without temperature settings and it works fine with a thermometer, although you should get one with variable temp settings if you can afford it.

I have these and love it. I use it for drip and caps... Konitz Coffee Bar Cappuccino Cups and Saucers, 6-Ounce, White, Set of 4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RHPAQI/

You could use either a gaiwan or small teapot. I have both, & yes the gaiwan is easier to clean but takes a little bit of practice to get used to pouring with it. I have a 180ml (about 6oz) teapot from teaware.house: https://imgur.com/C1AjMU1 or you could find a cheap porcelain gaiwan from tea sellers like Yunnan Sourcing or Old Ways Tea, etc. A few vendors on this sub's User's Choice Vendor list sell them. Amazon does sell gaiwans too. I got this on Amazon, it works fine. I also like to have a smaller vessel (60-100ml) if I'm just brewing a smaller amount or for solo sessions. Edit: changed 80ml to 60ml

I have this gaiwan from Amazon and like it OK.

I'd be hesitant about the gyokoru. That's something I would want to get from a Japan tea specialist.

Here is a great cheap easy-pouring gaiwan on Amazon. I've moved house with the thing, I've brought it to work with me, it once was in my gym bag for a few days... The thing is a great buy. I don't know about the other "colors" of it, but the Pure White 130mL one is what I have and it is the bomb

PS I have that kettle and I love it

It looks a lot like mine!

These I’m sure will do well.

There are several designs:

• https://www.amazon.com/Luycho-Rounded-Mirror-Saucer_Bactrian-Camel_11oz/dp/B07WFK8XN5/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Luycho-Angled-Mirror-Saucer_Polar-Bear_8oz/dp/B07WDGT64N/

Here’s a joke a 5 year old told my sister:

How does a peguin build his house? Igloos it together!

Five year olds are cute, but not as cute as this teacup that looks like a cat.

wouldnt standard cups be ok for this?
https://www.amazon.com/Cappuccino-Assorted-Porcelain-Capacity-Specialty/dp/B01N1S06UA/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1486603979&sr=1-8&keywords=cappuccino+cups

I haven't found a good single-cup Cezve other than from STC, so that's what I use. For 2 cups (I use 130ml of water), this one works really well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LRIR66A/

...it's definitely NOT manufactured at the same quality level as the STC cezves, but it's more than acceptable. For 3 cups (190ml), this one is pretty good:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KWDWSP/

If you go the butane burner route, this is the exact same burner that STC sells, but for a bit less:

https://www.amazon.com/BrewGlobal-Coffee-Gear-Stainless-RK4203/dp/B01CXNZYB6/

I own two of those and they work really well. I haven't found a good stand for this style of burner other than the one STC sells, so I use that one.

For a stirrer, any small wooden spoon will do.

Your Lido will do a good turkish grind, tho you may want to order pre-ground from Henry's or some of that Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi ::cringe:: to get a feel for the grind size you should try to target.

I've been using some hand-made ceramic cups from Israel recently:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9kjwka2meiw0u5s/cups.jpg?raw=1

...but these work quite nicely for doubles:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DVP3T3/

I also have the Essenza! I bought a set of these: Sweese Coffee Cups (6oz) They fit under the spout with the drip tray still attached.

They come in many combinations of colors or you can just pick one color. They are very sturdy mugs and hold about 6oz, so lungos will fit with room to spare. Also great if you want to make a latte. The aeroccino filled to the bottom line + 1 espresso shot fill the cup perfectly!

Teapot
Gaiwan
Cups

It's actually an emerald green. My camera didn't really pick up the color well

You should consider getting an electric kettle. This is the one I use at home and the only one I can really recommend from experience. The temperature controls can be a bit fiddly at times, but once you get used to them its super easy to get the temperature you want. This is another popular programmable kettle which I've heard a lot of good things about. You can also surf around on Amazon and read some reviews, there's a large variety of electric kettles around. Another option is to keep boiling your water on the stove then letting it sit and cool and using a meat thermometer to gauge the temperature.

As for brewing, get a gaiwan! One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and there half a million more options out there. This is an awesome simple guide to using a gaiwan. Look up some tutorials on youtube or google for some more detailed info, or search around /r/tea a bit.

Next on the checklist, SAMPLES! Don't order 100 grams of a tea that you've never tried. Here's some basic sampler packs: One, Two, Three, Four. Plenty of other great sites offer samples too, check out /r/tea's List of Retailers on the sidebar.

Hope this helps, and sorry if this was too rambling and in-cohesive, I've had a lot of caffeine.

Also, I want to leave you with this guide. It's an incredibly well done piece. Good luck!

Very cool contest idea! Thanks so much! :)

Home sweet home

Here are a few ideas that I really like:

1. Three tier cake stand
   
   
2. Love this teapot
   
   
3. Love this tea cup and saucer!
   
   
4. This is a print of Old English Tapestry - so pretty!
   
   
5. This paisley pillow is really neat.
   
   
6. I really like this utility crockery too.
   
   Ok, I think I've flooded you with enough links. I hope you have fun checking out what everyone sends in! :)
   

I think, maybe, I found you some things:

• One
  
• Two
  
• Three-a, b, and either c or d and e.
  

I would probably look for a glass one. Glass is hard to screw up (though it can be done). This one is apparently 260ml and $23 on Amazon, with Prime shipping if you have it. Might want to double check that it is what it's advertised as, though.

If you’re looking for something relatively inexpensive:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N1S06UA

Amazon seems to have some good deals, you should search around:

$8.11
http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Glass-Gaiwan-Teapot-Sancai/dp/B00CHG57V2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=19WJ7TYS8MDMBSCECEVS

$8.89
http://www.amazon.com/Sado-Traditional-Gaiwan-Teacup-150ml/dp/B00HQAJ08U/ref=pd_sbs_k_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TTFGSFAJN7593T7V4GT

$13.33 (Prime eligible)
http://www.amazon.com/Sado-Traditional-Gaiwan-Teacup-150ml/dp/B00HQAJ08U/ref=pd_sbs_k_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TTFGSFAJN7593T7V4GT

I'm looking to buy my first gaiwan, I've called two Asian stores here in South Florida USA and they don't carry gaiwan. I found a Gaiwan on Amazon and I like the price. Does it look like a good buy as a first gaiwan?

edit: corrected spelling

edit2: I ended up buying this gaiwan instead because it had Amazon Prime shipping while the first gaiwan shipped from China and took about a month to arrive.

I got mine from Amazon:
Konitz Coffee Bar Cappuccino Cups and Saucers, 6-Ounce, White, Set of 4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RHPAQI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_iIQgRfyC7ReX8