Yunomi vs gongfu tasting cup
Two handleless cups from two traditions, sized by two different ideas of what a serving is. The yunomi is taller than it is wide and holds a drink; the tasting cup holds one infusion of a session, which is a smaller and more frequent thing.
equipment
What is being compared
Point by point
| Aspect | Yunomi (Japanese teacup) | Tasting cup |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | A drink — comfortably over 100 ml. | 25 to 50 ml. |
| Shape | Taller than wide, which exposes less surface and slows cooling. | Wide and shallow relative to its volume, so it cools fast and shows aroma. |
| Rim | Thicker, for holding a hot cup comfortably. | Thin, which sharpens the impression on the lip. |
| How often it is filled | Once or twice. | Six to fifteen times in a session, each one different. |
| What it is for | Drinking tea. | Tasting the change between infusions, which needs a small repeated serving. |
| Tradition | Japanese everyday ware; not a chawan and not used for whisked tea. | Chinese and Taiwanese gongfu practice. |
The short answer
Cup size is a brewing decision rather than a matter of taste: a gongfu session poured into yunomi loses the point of the method, and a mug of sencha poured into tasting cups goes cold. Both cups are correct for the practice they belong to and neither travels well.
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