Discover the ritualistic art of tea with an authentic Yixing Zisha teapot, crafted from unique purple clay. Not merely an average brewer, these teapots entice you to a more spiritual and rewarding brew.
Yixing Zisha teapots have been highly regarded for centuries in Chinese tea culture. Its special properties from the unique clay found in Yixing Jiangsu, China make it perfect for black teas, oolong teas or Pu-erh teas. They are made from clay and are usually left unglazed on the inside. After a pot is seasoned with repeated brewing, the tea that is brewed from a well-prepared pot gains a fuller flavor than tea brewed from a new pot. Porosity and heat retaining properties make Yixing teapots the best to brew teas. Use of these teapots allows tea to be naturally stored.

While ‘industry’ might not be the word that typically comes to mind when considering the Yixing teapot, it has application in several industries concerned with mindfulness, tradition, and sensory experience:

Yixing Zisha teapots solve a few subtle yet key “problems” or desires on the road to the perfect cup of tea and a calmer, more mindfully engaged way of life:

Yixing Zisha clay’s purple sand clay only occurred in the Yixing area of China. The composition and structure of Yixing clay is unique since it is very rich in minerals there. As such, Yixing clay possesses a unique porosity and excellent heat handling properties which makes Yixing teapots the perfect instrument to make tea. The porousness of Yixing teapots not only helps absorb trace elements of tea with each subsequent brew but also give Yixing teapots their natural “seasoning” and enhances the taste, aroma and a great tea color.
What type of tea you plan to brew. Traditionally, there are certain pot shapes considered appropriate for brewing certain teas. For instance, a taller narrow pot is often associated with brewing Pu-erh and black teas while a wider-mouthed pot can be suitable for Green teas (though for various reasons, Yixing is not typically recommended for brewing delicate Green teas; quick hint: Yixing pots tend to retain high temperature that kills Green teas easily). If you happened to consider to only want to own one teapot that can be used for most teas, classic shape with good balance offers a good starting point.
Size: // Yixing teapots tend to be a bit smaller than western teapots, but if you are brewing according to the Gongfu style of tea making (multiple short infusions) this size works quite well (and is in fact ideal). Choose a size that is appropriate for the amount you usually brew – either as a one person pot or a two person pot. A good size for a Yixing teapot is between 150
Clay Type & Firing: The various Zisha clay types (e.g. Zini, Hongni, Dushani) have subtly different properties and aesthetic qualities. I encourage you to look these up if you want to get specific. As a first pot, a good quality Zini (purple clay) is a dependable choice. Make sure that it has been properly fired.
Craftsmanship: Seek a tea kettle with a lid fits on snugly, pours smoothly, has a handle that feels comfortable in the hand. The tea kettle’s spout should allow tea to pour freely with no dribbling.
Authenticity: Buy from reputable sellers to ensure you are getting real Yixing clay.

“I used to always rush my mornings, just drink a quick tea bag brew. I read about mindful brewing, about Yixing teapots, was intrigued. I bought a small ‘Chinese Yixing Zisha Teapot for Mindful Brewing’ mostly for use with my favorite oolong tea. There was a learning curve in the first several weeks: learning how much leaf, infusion times, etc. But the ritual itself was enormously calming. Holding the warm clay, watching the leaves unfurl, smelling the distinct aroma that had already begun to develop in the patina of the pot… At this point, it’s transformed my mornings. That 15 minutes of tea ritual anchors my day. And the taste of the tea itself is richer, smoother. It’s like the pot and I have this little secret between us, shared over quiet minutes.”

“The Wandering Leaf Tea House wanted to present a premium Gongfu tea service. We ordered several authentic Yixing Zisha teapots, each devoted to a particular category of our premium loose-leaf teas (one for aged Pu-erh, another for high-mountain oolongs, etc). Customers are fascinated. Not only does the tea taste and smell superior, but the story and tradition behind the Yixing teapots seems to layer on their appreciation and conversation. Our staff walk them through the mindful brewing process, and it’s become a hallmark of the experience. The teapots are themselves beautiful to see and handle, and repeat customers will now request for ‘their’ tea to be brewed in ‘their’ Yixing pot that’s already been seasoned with their favourite infusions.”

“I’ve been drinking loose-leaf tea for years, mostly in a standard porcelain teapot. I received a ‘Chinese Yixing Zisha Teapot’ as a gift. I was skeptical, thinking it’d be too much trouble. I dedicated it to a robust Keemun black tea. After maybe a month’s daily use, I brewed the same Keemun in my old porcelain pot and was surprised. The Yixing pot’s tea was notably rounder, less astringent, and deeper in aroma. It’s not just hype, these pots really do change the tea for the better. The mindful process of brewing with it is now a cherished part of my day.”