Two Types of Chinese Teapot

The Chinese have been enjoying tea for 5000 years. Tea was accidentally discovered by a Chinese emperor when some tea leaves fell into his glass of boiling water. Chinese culture has since been influenced greatly by tea. Tea is a popular drink, which had been served on special occasions. To cite a few examples, younger generations serve older people tea to show respect. In offices, tea is served by the employees of lower rank to higher ranking officials. According to tradition, a newly married couple must serve tea to their parents.

Since the Chinese set so much in store by tea, Chinese teapot is also a big part of their tea culture. Chinese teapot is said to be the first teapots used in civilization. The varieties of teapots as seen today all over the world are all derived from the Chinese teapot which was first made by the Ming dynasty.

Genuine Chinese teapot is handcrafted by experts and is famed for being durable and exquisite. These teapots are usually made from glazed earthenware. They are free from lead and other toxic elements. The natural sediment that lies at the bottom of the teapot adds to the flavor of tea. It is, however, important to remember that these teapots should not be washed with soap or dishwashing liquid. They must only be rinsed with warm water and put to dry.

Chinese teapots are of two types

Yixing: Pronounces as E-Shing, these teapots come from the city of Yixing known for its purple colored clay. Such clay does not break easily, has a beautiful colour, is good at retaining heat and is porous. When tea is brewed in clay that is porous, it absorbs its flavour. Unlike regular teapots that lose their shine with time, the Yixing teapots get better with age. Yixing teapots are also collected for decorative purposes. Though these teapots are mainly used to make oolong and black tea, they can also be used for green tea.

Gaiwan: Gaiwan literally means "covered bowl". Gaiwan teapots consist of three parts: bowl, lid and saucer. They come without handles. The lid acts as a strainer. One can directly from the bowl or pour the tea into another cup. Gaiwan teapots are made from porcelain, glass or clay. Some are even made from jade. The inside of a Gawain teapot is always glazed unlike an Yixing teapot. Check for a tightly fitting lid and a wide brim when buying a Gawain teapot.

Yixing Teapots

Yixing teapots are a traditional style of tea pot ideal for anyone who enjoys drinking black, oolong, green, pu-erh, and white gourmet teas. Yixing teapots come from the Yixing region of Jiangsu province, China. Yixing teapots are made out of zisha clay, which is unique clay only found in the Yixing region. The first Yixing teapot was created by a monk during the Song Dynasty (10th century). Yixing teas are beautiful adornments that come in a variety of styles but what is it that makes them so special?

The Unique Characteristics of Yixing Teapots
Many tea connoisseurs consider Yixing teapots to be superior to any other kind of teapot. It is said that after brewing tea in your Yixing teapot for many of years, you can brew tea simply by pouring boiling water into the empty pot. This is because the porous clay used to make these pots, known as zisha clay, absorbs the flavor of gourmet Tea.after each use. Yixing teapots are handmade. Potters keep them unglazed in order to allow the clay’s beautiful color to shine through. Additionally, unglazed pots make better-tasting tea. You can find Yixing pots in three characteristic colors: purplish brown, cinnamon red, and light buff. Mineral pigments are sometimes added to alter the color of zisha clay and sometimes the three colors of clay are blended to create new hues. Yixing clay contains mica, iron, and quartz. The depth of the clay’s color depends on the amount of iron it contains.

Traditional Yixing teapots were very small and meant for individual use. They were used with tiny cups. Nowadays you can find Yixing teapots in all shapes and sizes. These teapots feature close-fitting lids that prevent oxidation, allowing your gourmet teas to maintain better flavor when brewed. In order to evaluate the quality of a teapots in general, you have to check the color of the tea and measure the levels of caffeine, tea phenol, and aminophylline. In all of these categories, Yixing teapots outperform all other styles of teapots out there. In addition, Yixing teapots are very beautiful works of art that can serve as unique adornments in your home.

Yixing teapots are meant for use with oolong, aged pu-erh, and black gourmet teas. However, you can brew green and white teas in Yixing teapots by cooling the water to 85 degrees Celsius prior to pouring it into the pot. Zisha clay has a 4% water absorption rate and over prolonged use, the Yixing teapot retains the flavor and color of the tea. As such, one should avoid washing a Yixing teapot with soap and water and instead rinse it out with water and let it air-dry.

Drinking tea brewed in Yixing teapots is healthy because it contributes to your trace mineral intake. Trace minerals are an important component of a healthy diet. Another benefit of using Yixing teapots is their durability in comparison to other types of teapots. Fully controlled temperatures are used when a Yixing teapot is fired, creating a strong molecular bond. This makes Yixing teapots very durable as a result.

Tips for Maintaing a Yixing Teapot
Avoid keeping gourmet teas in your Yixing teapot overnight hoping that perhaps the teapot will absorb more flavors. Mold can grow in your pot if you do this and any acidic or otherwise unpleasant taste or smell will be absorbed by the zisha clay. Wash your Yixing teapot with hot water but never use soap. And don’t just admire your Yixing teapot from a distance. It is believed that Yixing tea pots that are shown love by being touched and rubbed are more beautiful because the zisha clay develops a glow as a result.

Prices of Yixing Teapots
Prices of Yixing teapots are all over the map and can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. Contemporary pots are priced based on the artist who made them, the style, the quality of the clay, and the production method. For the more expensive Yixing teapots, artisans use wooden and bamboo tools to manipulate the clay. Cheaper pots are made using predetermined moulds.

How to Judge the Quality of Your Yixing Teapot
In order to judge the quality of Yixing teapots, tap it lightly against another Yixing teapot of the same variety. If the ceramic makes a metallic sound when tapped, you can be sure that you are dealing with authentic Yixing teapots. The fit of the teapot’s lid should be seamless. When you fill the pot with water, put the lid on, and pour the tea out, it should poor smoothly. To determine whether or not the lid is well-fitted, place your finger over the hole on the lid and tip the pot over. If the lid is well-fitted, the flow of water will be halted.

Yixing teapots have been popular in China for many years because of their unique qualities and simple yet beautiful design. Although Yixing teapots are relatively unknown in the US, they are becoming more and more common as drinking gourmet teas becomes an increasingly popular practice there. There is no better way to enjoy your tea than in a Yixing teapot. For the best results, drink only one type of tea in your Yixing teapot because it will absorb the flavor of that tea only. After many years, you will be able to brew your favorite cup of tea without having to add a single tea leaf!