From the town of Yixing (pronounced e-shing) near Lake Tai in China’s Jiangsu Province, comes the beautiful, yet functional Yixing teapot. |
Dating back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), some Yixing teapots were on the original tea ships enroute to Europe, with thousands having survived over the centuries. Sought by collectors, these priceless antique teapots can fetch prices upward of $100,000.Yixing pots are made from a rich purple clay found only in the town of Yixing, where many devoted collectors travel to purchase directly from the centuries old factories that still manufacture these amazing teapots.The colored ore pigments found in the clay |
ranging from a terra cotta red and purple-brown, to black, ochre, and teal.
The most sought after color is dark brown (called zisha or purple It should be noted that the teal pots are oxidized to brighten the The “Brown Betty” English style teapot has been compared to Yixing teapots for the similar type |
What to Look For When Buying
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Whether it is whimsical, elegant, or contemporary, if you are buying a teapot to use rather than as an addition to your collection, you need to first consider its functionality. Ask the seller how it pours, as some whimsical shapes and figures may not be practical for brewing tea. Also, the lid should fit snugly, so when steeping the tea leaf is exposed to the beneficial heat and steam from the water.Yixing teapots may look fragile but they are actually pretty sturdy and practical to use for brewing and can withstand near boiling water without cracking. The color won’t fade or change and the zisha clay has no odor. Most Yixing teapots are rubbed with a piece of water buffalo horn to smooth and polish the There are four levels of price for Yixing The first level, which is the largest cate- China. Second are the The intrigue of a Yixing teapot is that over time it absorbs the flavor of the tea brewed in Yixing teapots can be found in many unique shapes and designs, from whimsical animals and flowers, to sleek, stylish, |
Seasoning Your Yixing Teapot
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The Yixing teapots found today are made in much the same way as they have been for centuries. Sometimes the pot has a thin layer of paraffin wax covering it, which needs to be removed before using.To do this simply place a terry cloth or linen towel in the bottom of a deep cooking pot and add a few inches of cold water. Remove the lid and place the teapot on the towel and the lid beside it (not touching), and cover both completely with cold water. Bring the water to a boil, reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 15 – 30 minutes. This will The next step is to season the pot with the type of tea you will always be using with it. Brew a As Yixing teapots are unglazed and porous you should never use dish soap or put them in the dishwasher. Only use Enjoy. |