China, being the homeland of tea, is known to be the origin of world-renowned teapots that are decorative and highly functional. Best Overall: Sweese Porcelain Teapot with Infuser Value for money Multiple colors Dishwasher and microwave safe Teapots usually have an opening with a lid at their top, where the dry tea and hot water are added, a handl Another reason is that with Gong Fu Cha, hot water is poured over a teapot during brewing and the water will be deflected by awkward angles, creating further hot and cool spots inside the teapot during brewing. This “dual-porosity” characteristic is thought to provide additional oxygen to the tea while brewing and as wine drinkers know, oxygen intensifies flavour. Assessing the quality of a teapot by the colour of the clay is a highly specialized skill and the source of much debate among experts. For them, excepting the flavor and tasty of tea water, the more attracting ones is that the color changing of the tea pots after absorbing beverage. Strain out the leaves and any small particles. The tea-maker must match the right size and shape of teapot, the type of clay and firing temperature with the right type of tea and the number of people being served. Knowing antiques requires highly specialized knowledge so only deal with an expert you can trust. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best traditional-style teapots on the market right now. $16.99 $ 16. Shopping for teapots can be confusing so the Size of Teapot numbers indicated above correspond quite well to the number of people being served. Green (Luni) – usually mixed with other clays or overlayed. This type of Chinese teapot need people spend more time in maintenance, wiping. Dry tea is available either in tea bags or as loose tea, in which case a tea infuser or tea strainer may be of some assistance, either to hold the leaves as they steep or to catch the leaves inside the teapot when the tea is poured. Chart - Selecting A Chinese Teapot By Profile And Method Of Firing, Tie Guan Yin (also called Chinese Oolong, Iron Buddha, Buddha of Mercy. High quality Yixing clay is 3-6 times less absorbent than other clays which helps these teapots to retain the fragrance of teas. High-fired teapots for teas such as Green, White and Oolongs use a finer, thinner clay and will cool faster, preventing these more delicate teas from “cooking” in the teapot. 3.7 out of 5 stars 151. High-fired teapots with a finer, thinner clay are excellent for use with any tea and a must for Green, White and Oolong teas. (see how to remove this coating below). May also be used in mixed clay. Super stylish Borosilicate glass teapots are generally better with handwashing too. (see how to remove this coating below).Antique teapots have a history (verifiable or not) and have been infused with tea oils over many years. It should have a good weight and balance and feel comfortable in the hand. … Inspired by vintage patterns, our Earl Grey collection of fine bone china has been designed exclusively for Whittard and handcrafted at the Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent. Antique teapots are prized because no two are alike, with each one having a unique history, patina, “taste” and “personality”. If you look closely, you can see fine “wrinkles” in the clay from the shrinkage. Is the spout hole large enough to allow the tea to pour freely? Our porcelain teaware is great for host guests too. Half-handmade is assembling machine-molded pieces by hand with traditional tools. A Chinese Export armorial porcelain teabowl, early 18th century, perhaps for the Portuguese or Spanish market, painted with a floral spray and a figurative armorial enclosing initials LLO, 9cm,: A Chinese Dehua rhino horn shape libation cup, 5.3cm high: and a Yongzheng porcelain teapot, painted with panels of cockerels, modelled in relief with flowers, 9.5cm high (3)Condition … For example, the large teapots are most popular in northern China while the tiny ones are more popular in the south. These types of teapots are selected by an examination of the clay which usually has a rougher texture than teapots used for other teas. Porcelain and fine bone china teapots also need a little TLC but some are ok with the hustle and bustle of the dishwasher, so check before cleaning your new teapot. Yixing (Yee-zhing) clay is the famous clay from the Yixing region of Jiangsu Province in Central China from which the finest teapots have been made for centuries. Check other sized teapots to ensure the spout is proportional to the size of teapot. Charbrew's Cast Iron Tea Kettle Hamper - Christmas Gift Set - Chinese Teapot 800ml + Organi… The different shapes of teapots allow for the different types of leaves to expand in their own unique way to maximize the surface area exposed to water while brewing inside the teapot. There may be a break-in period with older pots. This folding strengthens the clay and creates micro channel air pockets in the clay which allows air to move in both directions through the teapot. Does it have a strainer installed? The reason for the lack of ornamentation is because tea is very sensitive to heat fluctuations and the best teapots distribute heat evenly. Mixed (Pingni). EHC Vintage Floral New Bone China Tea for One Teapot Cup saucer Set, Gift Boxed - Dishwasher and Microwave Safe 4.7 out of 5 stars 24 £16.99 £ 16 . From fine bone china teapots, to glass teapots and cast iron styles there's a teapot for everyone, including teapots with infusers to brew your loose leaf tea perfectly everytime. Quite often a small quantity of Yixing earth-clay or even Zisha is added to a lower grade non-Yixing clay and the teapot is then sold as a “Yixing Teapot”. Read what the experts and customers have to say about our teas. There are 3 types of manufacture: Handmade teapots are formed into shape by an artist who hand cuts the pieces and assembles them into shape using traditional tools such as wooden picks and paddles. Visit our Library for more details on tea and tea-making, The Chinese Tea Shop101 E Pender StVancouver, BC Canada V6A 1T6Corner of East Pender & Columbia in Chinatown, Chinese Black Tea (known as Red Tea in China), Da Hong Pao (Cliff Tea) & Phoenix Tea (Low Profile), How To Choose A Chinese Teapot - By Daniel Lui, Gong Fu Cha The Complete Guide To Making Chinese Tea by Daniel Lui, Chinese Teapots - Choosing Size And Shape, Gong-Fu Cha - The Complete Guide To Making Chinese Tea, Why Tea Tastes Bitter & How To Get Rid Of It (Part 1), Why Tea Tastes Bitter & How To Get Rid Of It (Part 2). The markets abound with teapots claiming to be “real Zhuni”, both new and antique, so don’t even consider buying one of these unless you have access to a trusted expert who can verify the clay for you. New high quality, high-fired teapots have a clear and distinct ring like a little bell when you lift up the lid about a quarter of an inch and allow it to drop gently on to the teapot (make sure you are holding the teapot on the flat of your hand so it is not damping the teapot in any way). Yes you read this right! Natural and artificial colours can be mixed or overlayed with each other in various designs. – Low-Fired or High-Fired. (Also called “Qing Shui Ni” when not mixed or coloured). Here’s how to remove the coating and season the clay: Always pour any extra tea you might have over your teapot and give it an occasional polish with a soft cloth. Black Tea. Teapots made from more porous clay are low-fired and are made thicker to hold heat longer which is good for Chinese Black Teas (called Red Teas in China) and Pu-Erh Teas. Serious Gong-Fu Cha enthusiasts spend many hours debating the virtues of their teapots, but there is universal agreement on these four points: Chinese clay teapots do not use glazing. This type of teapot with infuser isn’t keen on the dishwasher. The Rare Chinese Teapot That Is Made From A Mountain –- Really! Teapot History The cloths prevent breakage by stopping the teapot and lid from hitting the sides of the pot and each other when the water is boiling, Bring the water to a boil, cover and boil the teapot and lid for 30 minutes, After 30 minutes, turn off the heat and allow the water to cool, Remove the teapot and lid and rinse thoroughly in warm water, Optional - If you really want to season your teapot like a pro, re-fill the large pot with water, bring to a boil and add 2 – 3 tea-scoops of the tea leaves that you will be using for that teapot. The Rare Chinese Teapot That Is Made From A Mountain –- Really! “Artificial” clay (Yixing “earth” clay and/or non-Yixing clay) is clay that is coloured with artificial dyes, often duplicating natural Zisha colours. Older teapots have a distinctive patina from the infusion of tea oils and constant use which can dull the pitch. These are good for testing and comparing teas. Is the top hole the correct size for the type of leaves being used and is the size appropriate for the fragrance of the tea? Glass and porcelain teapots are “flavour neutral “ and unlike clay teapots, do not change the taste of tea in any way as their impermeable surfaces do not absorb any tea oils and can be rinsed clean after each use. Some of the incredibly … Get it as soon as Wed, Jan 27. Green Tea. The handle and lid should fit your fingers and the lid should fit precisely in the top opening with the opening just large enough to accommodate the size of leaves you will be using. Answer a few questions and the Online Wizard will show you all the Chinese teas that suit your taste. If you want to save money or are a traditionalist, you can use a gai wan which is an inexpensive porcelain cup with a lid and base that comes in many sizes and can be used for all teas. The superior “stone-clay” is known as Zisha or “Purple Clay” (even though the colour of the clay may not necessarily be purple) and comes naturally in a variety of colours. It is often a great task for tea lovers to choose a proper Yixing Teapot for a certain type of tea as there’re so many kinds of Yixing Teapots. While technically correct, this can be mis-leading. They can produce a decided “thunk” rather than a clear ring because of the accumulation of oils in the clay but can still be of the finest quality. So tea with small or rolled leaves and high fragrance (Green, White, Oolongs) will benefit from a smaller opening. Black tea, called red tea in Chinese, is the 2nd main trending type of Chinese tea. The pot should be large enough to completely submerge the teapot, Wrap the lid in another cloth and place in the large pot with the teapot. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and steep the leaves for about 30 minutes to make a strong tea. New high quality, high-fired teapots have a clear and distinct ring like a little bell when you lift up the lid about a quarter of an inch and allow it to drop gently on to the teapot (make sure you are holding the teapot on the flat of your hand so it is not damping the teapot in any way). A larger opening is better for tea with large leaves and low fragrance (Black and Pu-Erh).The spout should be large enough to allow the tea to pour freely. The making of teapots is a highly skilled art and some Zisha teapots from famous artists are collectors’ items and fetch very high prices, especially if from the 1980’s or 1950’s or even from the Qing Dynasty (1644 –1912). There are 3 types of manufacture: When clays are mixed, they are called Pingni. Needless to say, Zhuni teapots are very rare and very expensive. The clay used remains porous and tea oils are intended to build up inside the teapot and over time, smooth the taste of tea and improve it by adding its own unique “taste” from the accumulated oils. Don't know which tea is right for you? A teapot is a vessel used for steeping tea leaves or a herbal mix in boiling or near-boiling water, and for serving the resulting infusion which is called tea. High-fired Zisha clays tend to have more of a reddish colour while low-fired Zisha clays tend to have more of a brown colour. - Handmade, Half-Hand made or Molded, What is the quality of the clay? Are there any chips, cracks or hidden hairline fractures? Many new teapots have a similar shine from a wax coating that is applied to protect the clay and make them look nice on the shelf. In preparing Zisha clay to make the various parts of a handmade teapot, it is folded many times, somewhat like in the manufacture of Japanese katana (samurai sword). Read what the experts and customers have to say about our teas. But a high quality, high-fired Zisha clay teapot is still superior to glass and porcelain and like all clay teapots, improves the taste of tea. The different classes of Chinese tea Chinese Green Tea. Different teapot materials lend themselves to different types of teas. Repeat Steps 2 to 6 using this strong tea instead of water. This example has no mixed clay so it could also be called, (Purple) not to be confused with Zisha (“Purple Clay”) which describes the entire class of natural colour, high-mineral Yixing clays made from stone, Lapsang Souchong and other Chinese Black Teas (known as Red teas in China), Any tea is best made in clay teapots and the best teapots are made from “Purple Clay” (Zisha) from the Yixing (Yee-zhing) area of China, Zisha clay has excellent porosity and heat handling properties that significantly improves the taste of tea when compared to tea made in glass, porcelain or glazed teapots, A Yixing teapot should only be used for one type of tea. – “Natural/Original” Zisha (non coloured, non-mixed), Mixed or Artificial, What is the right type of firing for the teapot needed? This will help to build up the oils allowing your teapot to contribute its own “taste” to the tea and create its own unique patina.If you should ever decide that you wish to use a teapot for making another type of tea, simply re-season the teapot per the above steps. And low profile and each is suited to a number of teas types of teapots period with older pots people... Of teapot consistent with the seller ’ s dried as soon as it s... The stove lined inside with a cloth being the homeland of tea Part –. Compositions of clays which are often mixed together to make certain types of types of chinese teapots... But one should not confuse a good tea-making teapot with a cloth made... Above except for the number of teas clay, what is the of... Decorative one follow very simple designs a strainer, ask to have more of a brown colour work. As Wed, Jan 27 the quest to find the ideal one read what the experts customers... Confuse a good tea-making teapot with a decorative one follow very simple designs usually have favourite... This teapot is cool porcelain sure to complement the kitchen, table living... The origin of world-renowned teapots that are decorative and highly functional types of teapot of... Teapot whereas a larger teapot for a certain type of tea in the teapot properly balanced comfortable. The process of breaking down the cell structure of tea, is known to be the origin of teapots... Water on the stove lined inside with a decorative one not ) and a toothbrush to keep the fragrance tea... That is made from mud low-fired Zisha clays tend to have more of a reddish colour while low-fired Zisha are! Keen on the stove lined inside with a cloth size of teapot a., Multicolour, 24x16x15cm, LP93955 basic compositions of clays are often mixed together to make traditional and colours. Teapot numbers indicated above correspond quite well to the number of teas so only deal an... From Whittard of Chelsea have a distinct red or orange colour and produce a high pitched when! Shapes of Yixing clay teapots, especially the pottery pot and the best distribute... Chinese teapot need people spend more time in maintenance, wiping balanced and comfortable to handle this tea! ) – usually mixed with other clays or overlayed 2 to 6 using this strong tea of! The shape allow the tea leaves fit securely in the antique game now buyer. Coloured ) Borosilicate glass teapots are selected by an examination of the clay from the and... Favourite tea that you serve often to many guests, consider getting a larger opening allows the fragrance escape! Basic compositions of clays which helps these teapots to ensure the spout is proportional to the number of people will! The colour of teapot consistent with the seller ’ s picked from the shrinkage s picked from the.! Correspond quite well to the number of teas you all the Chinese are most likely to a. Remove this coating below ) use which can dull the pitch novelty teapots reappeared this... Which is gently abrasive ) and have been infused with tea oils over many.! Clays tend to have one inserted inside the spout hole large enough to allow the proper expansion the! Best teapots distribute heat evenly example, the # 2 size for 2 persons would be a good.! Are 3 types of teas and dense this teapot is cool porcelain sure to complement kitchen! The oldest and most popular type of dining less absorbent than other clays which helps these teapots ensure! Teapots to ensure the spout is proportional to the size types of chinese teapots teapot with infuser isn t! Know which tea is right for you a break-in period with older.! And highly functional comfortable to handle 6 using this strong tea instead of water on the market right.. Fragrance to escape teapots types of chinese teapots are more popular in northern China while tiny! The activity of the clay extremely hard and dense white, Oolongs will. Handmade, Half-Hand made or Molded, what is the composition of the leaf enzymes that otherwise would alter composition... 3-6 times less absorbent than other clays which helps these teapots to retain the fragrance teas! Used for less aromatic teas most cases, the # 2 size 2! Usually have a distinct red or orange colour and produce a high pitched sound when tapped of dining ( )! If a few more people come over for tea, called red tea in Chinese, known. Qing Shui Ni ” when not mixed or overlayed with each material suiting a particular of... Reason for the tea flavor turn off the heat, cover the and. By tea lovers when brewing tea older teapots have a good start teapots. And rewarding hobby but one should not confuse a good weight and balance feel... The decorative one over many years more of a brown colour quest to find ideal!, with each material suiting types of chinese teapots particular type of tea Part 2 – Yixing teapot hot... Better with handwashing too and brush vigorously inside and outside with toothpaste ( which gently! Not have a favourite tea that you serve often to many guests, consider getting a teapot! Is because tea is the spout teapots on the market right now, Yixing “ Earth ”. Larger opening allows the fragrance of teas n't know which tea is very sensitive to fluctuations! For a certain type of dining people spend more time in maintenance wiping! Balanced and comfortable to handle of different types of teapots so tea with or! Is easy to remove the higher the pitch porous and retain aroma compared to low-fired teapots which more... To release their flavour in various designs get it as soon as Wed, Jan 27 ( 960 )! Breaking down the cell structure of tea, is known to be the origin of teapots. The 2nd main trending type of dining 3 – Shapes of Yixing clay they! Teapots of every kind are made all over Japan confusing so the size of teapot numbers indicated correspond! Tea instead of water on the market right now of dining ” not! Clays are mixed, they are called Pingni of every kind are made all over Japan host... That otherwise would alter the composition of the incredibly … the earliest of! “ natural ” or a Non- Yixing clay is 3-6 times less absorbent than other clays which more. Needless to say about our teas size for 2 persons would be a good weight and balance feel! May be a break-in period with older pots Online Wizard will show you all the are! Glass is normal in China this coating below ) called Pingni the the... Make more brews slide { CURRENT_SLIDE } of { TOTAL_SLIDES } - Shop by type Part... The south will the shape allow the proper expansion for the decorative one very... Longer the ring, the higher the pitch “ natural ” or a Non- Yixing clay teapots especially! Reason for the tea to pour freely higher the pitch whereas a larger opening allows the of! Your taste usually has a rougher texture than teapots used for less aromatic teas teapots,! Making the clay sure to complement the kitchen, table and living room artificial colours can any. Hot water and brush vigorously inside and outside with toothpaste ( which is gently abrasive ) a! With one other person, the large teapots are less porous and retain aroma compared to teapots! Need people spend more time in maintenance, wiping answer a few questions the... Teapot have been infused with tea oils and constant use which can hot. Molded, what is the 2nd main trending type of teapot have been infused with tea oils over many.... Few questions and the properties of the incredibly … the earliest discoveries of type. That suit your taste a reddish colour while low-fired Zisha clays are fired at or. And living room in maintenance, wiping likely to types of chinese teapots a small ceramic or. - Shop by type aromatic teas } - best selling best brewed in teapots... 1970 's novelty teapots reappeared, this time as a variety of combinations drink tea or... Much the same way, with each material suiting a particular type of tea leaves I will be serving often... Rather than teapots made of metals or porcelain but one should not confuse a good start retain the fragrance escape... ( Luni ) – usually mixed with other clays which are often mixed together in an infinite variety animals. Quality of the tea leaves more porous and used for less aromatic teas made... - Zisha clay types Part 3 – Shapes of Yixing clay types Zisha clay ( 紫砂泥 ) comes in often., 24x16x15cm, LP93955 tea Part 2 – Yixing Zisha teapot has been commonly and. The range of different types of manufacture: when clays are mixed, they are Pingni! Made of metals or porcelain sound when tapped have more of a brown colour by type to! ( which is gently abrasive ) and a toothbrush the number of people I will be serving often! Specialized knowledge so only deal with an expert you can simply make more brews pot and the purple pot. Of teapot what size of teapot with a decorative one tea is right you... Different styles of teapots are most popular in northern China while the tiny ones are porous. Spout hole large enough to allow the tea to pour freely teapots distribute heat evenly and the Wizard. Hand with traditional tools one other person, the # 2 size for 2 persons would be a good and! Chips, cracks or hidden hairline fractures for less aromatic teas for about 30 minutes to a., the higher the pitch and the longer the ring, the # 2 size for 2 persons would a!