Yixing Zisha Teapot

1. What is a Yixing teapot?
Yixing teapot, also known as Zisha or Purple Clay teapot, is made from a special type of clay found in Yixing, China. It is fired at high temperatures to create a hard and reddish-brown unglazed ceramic. The raw materials for Yixing clay are primarily categorized into three types: purple clay, green clay, and red clay, commonly referred to as “rich soil.” Due to its origin in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, it is called Yixing teapot.

2. Characteristics and Advantages of Yixing Teapot:
1) Yixing teapots are unique to Yixing and possess a porous nature due to the chemical composition of the clay and its double-pore structure. This allows the tea brewed in a Yixing teapot to retain its flavor and aroma effectively.
2) The clay body of a Yixing teapot can absorb the fragrance of tea. When used for brewing tea, it can preserve the intense aroma of the tea for a long time. Even when not in use, a well-used Yixing teapot will have a subtle tea scent.

3. What type of tea is suitable for brewing in a Yixing teapot?
1) Green tea is best brewed in a Yixing teapot made from Duan clay, which is light in color and has excellent breathability, preventing the formation of dark tea stains.

2) Oolong tea is best brewed in a Yixing teapot made from Red clay. A small-sized teapot is preferred as the Zhu Ni (Red clay) has a high crystal content that can enhance the concentration of tea aroma.

3) Black tea and Pu-erh tea, which improve in flavor with aging, are also popular choices among tea enthusiasts. Purple clay teapots are well-suited for brewing these types of teas.

4) White tea is also suitable for brewing in a Red clay teapot, as its tea liquor exhibits a golden hue and a rich aroma.

4. How to select a Yixing teapot:
1) Look at the material. A good Yixing teapot is made from natural mineral stones. It should have a darker color, resembling the original mineral stone, and a granular texture on the surface.
2) Examine the craftsmanship, including the curvature of the teapot’s shape, the fit between the lid and the body, and the absence of flaws.
3) Consider the appearance. Modern Yixing teapots come in various shapes and designs, so choose one that appeals to your preferences and showcases your taste.

5. Tips:
1) Keep the Yixing teapot away from the kitchen and oily fumes.
2) Avoid using steel balls to clean the teapot as they can scratch the surface.
3) Do not use chemical detergents to clean the Yixing teapot.
4) Avoid leaving tea water in the teapot overnight.
5) Ideally, use one teapot for the same type of tea to develop its unique aroma.
6) Allow the Yixing teapot to air dry naturally and avoid direct sunlight.
7) During cold weather, rinse the teapot with warm water before brewing tea to prevent cracking caused by pouring hot water into a cold teapot.