Purple Clay Zisha Teapot | Good Beneath the Full Moon
Product Overview
Yixing Purple Clay Teapot “Elegant Lotus Bloom”
The Yixing Purple Clay Teapot “Elegant Lotus Bloom” is the finest representation of the craftsmanship of traditional Chinese teaware. It is made of authentic Yixing clay from Jiangsu Province and hand-crafted by master of artists. The lotus, a sacred symbol of purity and enlightment in the Eastern philosophy, encompasses the teapot into a stunning piece of teapot art. Each teapot is individually funded, not only served as a functional teaware, but also an increased value collector’s item.
Use Case Expansion
Which Industries Does This Apply To?
This Yixing Purple Clay Teapot “Elegant Lotus Bloom” is used in the tea industry as an equipment for specialty tea shops and as a display item. Tea sommeliers and tea houses use authentic items to enhance their tea-serving & customer education offering. Since purple clay teapots do not introduce a secondary flavour to the tea that is why tea houses can use them for their professional tea tasting & tea ceremony requirements.
Hospitality and Fine Dining Luxury hotels, resorts and restaurants use these artisan teapots in their tea service to give guests authentic cultural experiences. The delicate lotus shape brings sophistication to high tea and other specialty dining events. Hotels with Asian-themed aesthetics especially leverage genuine Yixing teaware in their interiors and service rituals.
Interior designers and decorators buy for clients seeking to incorporate aspects of Eastern aesthetics and philosophy into their interiors. The “Elegant Lotus Bloom” is a potential conversation piece and artful interior accent in home libraries, meditation corners, or dining rooms. Its natural, earthy color palette suits modern minimalism, traditional Asian, and eclectic arrangements.
Cultural Institutions and Museums Museums and other cultural institutions make display Yixing teapots like the “Elegant Lotus Bloom” in the context of an exhibition about Chinese culture, tea culture, and the history of Asian art. These museums and cultural centers will often work such authentic material into educational programs about traditional craftsmanship and philosophical meanings of tea ceremony.
What Common Problems Can Be Solved?
Enhance the Authenticity of Tea’s Flavor Many tea lovers are plagued by tea brewing equipment giving metallic flavor to premium teas. The special composition of the Yixing purple clay can remove the metallic flavor so as to preserve the authentic flavor of the tea to the maximum extent. Meanwhile, this tea set will not absorb the tea flavor itself like the porcelain and glass teapot. The pores in the purple sand would “memory” the tea flavor, and finally formed an exquisite noble vessel, which could brew better tea after later use.
Preserving Ideal Brewing Temperature The thick clay walls of the “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot afford a great deal of heat retention. The firing and related shrinkage reduces the size of the clay’s internal pore network, transforming the material into an excellent heat reservoir. Due to thick walls and poor thermal conductivity natural to clay, ambient air temperature fluctuations and other forces that may act to change the brew temperature are less effective than in the thin walls of porcelain. Constant brew temperature means better extraction
Cultural Authenticity in Tea Ceremonies For practitioners of traditional tea ceremony, or for those teaching tea culture, it can be difficult to find authentically crafted vessels that honor historical methods. This handmade Yixing teapot provides the cultural authenticity needed for proper gongfu cha ceremony practice, as it connects the user with the centuries-long tradition of tea practices.
Sustainable and Non-Toxic Alternatives One of the biggest challenges of today’s cookware industry is chemical leaching from synthetically produced products. Yixing clay offers a non-toxic option for consumers who are concerned over toxic leaching into their foods or drinks. Yixing teapots are made from a completely natural and unglazed clay, without the addition of any synthetic chemicals. This means that the product is made without lead or other toxins. This sustainable product eliminates the worry of chemical leaching for the user, and also provides a more sustainable consumer
Long-Term Investment Value Unlike most cheap disposable modern teaware which needs to be replaced frequently due to deterioration, with time this “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot results in increased value, and increased sophistication and tea-tasting experience as it seasons through usage due to its heirloom quality and craftsmanship, solving the problem of constantly replacing cheaper tearware and also gaining collectors and Yixing lover’s top favor as the teapot continues to appreciate in value proposition.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the questions future owners have about Yixing clay teapots.
Before the using your “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot for the first time, it is important to properly season it to remove any residual clay dust, and to begin the process of opening up the pores to absorb the flavour of tea.
• Fill a large pot with clean water and place the teapot (including lid) into the pot. Slowly bring to a low boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Allow the water to cool completely before removing the teapot. Rinse in fresh clean water. • Prepare your tea of choice (ideally the tea you intend to dedicate this pot to) and fill the teapot with the brew. Steep the tea for several hours or allow to sit overnight. Drain this first brew from the pot and rinse with clean water (do not use soap). Let the pot air dry completely before regular use.
This opens up the pores of the clay and gets them primed for soaking up the oils and other compounds from your tea.
Yes, it is customary amongst tea enthusiasts to dedicate each of their Yixing teapots to only one type of tea. The surface of the unglazed purple clay absorbs a tiny amount of tea oils and essences, building up a delicate patina over time. As your teapot becomes seasoned, future pours will be imbued with a richer flavor and aroma. The medium porosity purple clay makes the Elegant Lotus Bloom particularly appropriate for:
• Oolong teas (especially deeper oolongs such as Da Hong Pao) • Aged Pu-erh teas • Black teas (especially complex crushed black teas)
Preparing multiple types of tea in your pot will lead to battling flavor profiles, disturbing the act of “seasoning.” If you enjoy a variety of tea types, we suggest acquiring separate Yixing teapots for each category.
To preserve your “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot’s integrity and developing patina:
• Never use soap, detergents, or cleaning chemicals as they will be absorbed into the porous clay and affect future tea flavors. • After each use, empty the teapot completely and rinse with clean, hot water only. • Use a soft brush to gently clean the spout and interior if necessary. • Always air dry thoroughly with the lid off before storing to prevent mold or mildew. • Periodically wipe the exterior with a soft cloth dampened with brewed tea to enhance the developing patina. • Store in a well-ventilated area away from strong odors which can be absorbed by the clay. • Apply a small amount of tea oil to the exterior surface 2-3 times yearly to maintain the teapot’s luster (optional).
If taken care of properly, your Yixing teapot could further develop, deepen and perhaps even be around for generations to come.
The Yun Tian Zhong has some unique visual features that distinguish it from other zisha teapots. Authentic Yixing purple clay teapots such our “Elegant Lotus Bloom” are recognisable by their:
• Sound Test: Tap the lid of the pot against the pot; authentic Yixing clay will product a distinct, bell like sound • Texture: You should notice that the clay has a slightly rough, stone-like texture that is quite unique to Yixing pots to the touch • Absorption Test: Place a drip of water on the exterior surface of a teapot; the water should absorb into the pot and darken the clay gradually • Artist Signature: On every one of our “Elegant Lotus Bloom”, you will find the artist’s stamp on the base of the pot • Certificate of Authenticity: We provide certificates of authenticity with all our teapots verifying the origin of the clay and the credentials of the artist • Weight: In comparison to most teapots, authentic Yixing teapots feel unusually heavy for their weight because of the density of the clay.
Every “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot undergoes rigorous quality control procedures to ensure its classic excellence and authenticity.
Elegant Lotus Bloom teapot is meant to be used for traditional Chinese Gongfu tea Chinese Gongfu brewing style which makes full use of the strengths of the teapot:
• Heat the teapot by rinsing it with hot water inside (and out if desired). • Add approximately 1g of leaves per 15ml of water capacity to the pot (our 200ml pot would use approximately 13-14g). • Add the tea leaves to your pre-warmed pot. • Fill the teapot with water of appropriate temperature (in general between 185-205°F depending on variety) for your tea. • Steep between 15-30 second to start (and longer with subsequent infusions). • Pour completely into a sharing pitcher or directly into small tasting cups.
Multiple infusions (typically 8–12) are prepared from the same tea leaves, and each infusion will yield different taste characteristics of the tea leaves, being accentuated by the material of the purple clay.
Over time, with use, your “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot will develop beautifully:
• Its formerly rough and matte purple-brown surface will become smoother and have a deeper, richer luster. • Places of frequent contact, such as the handle, the lid, and the spout, will begin to develop a unique patina from the oils of your hand, gaining a polish. • The color will become deeper and more vivid, especially if you rub down the outside of the pot with the tea you have brewed. • The lotus design will become more softly defined as the different textures of the clay begin to age and acquire their patina at different rates. • Fine crazy patterns will develop in the clay, a sign of age and authenticity.
This is generally desirable by collectors and connoisseurs of tea. All teapots develop if one is so inclined to use it and change to possess a personality unique that of its owner and that makes the object to be of personal and irreplaceable value to that individual over decades of retainership.
The “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot is perfect both for your everyday drinkings, and for your special events. In the teaware world, everybody knows about Yixing teapots. While they are often viewed as an art item, Yixing clay teapots are suitable for daily use, and actually benefit from it as they build “seasoning”. Here are some reasons why Yixing teapots should be used more frequently:
• While frequent use builds a skincare-like layering of what some knows as the patina, it will also contribute to the “seasoning” of the interior of the teapot; • The meditative feature of brewing loose leaf tea in a traditional teapot can be a valuable part of one’s mindfulness life. • The brewing environment of the tea being brewed becomes more “use-friendly” to the tea lover with more frequent use.
If, however, you are going to save it for special occasions, then store it in an airy place and it should keep fine. Though many collectors may find themselves straddling both camps — breaking out their valued Yixing teapots for use weekly rather than daily, and finding a balance between preserving one’s collection and the advantages of frequent use.
The “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot comes in 3 different sizes:
• Small: 150ml suited for 1-2 people • Medium: 200ml suited for 2-3 people • Large: 300ml suited for 3-4 people
Choosing the optimal size for your Yixing clay teapot is an important factor for successful brewing. In traditional Chinese gongfu-style tea brewing, smaller-sized teapots are preferred:
• brewing leads to better control over steeping parameters • ensures all tea is consumed while fresh and hot • makes several infusions from the same leaves possible • creates opportunity for more intense flavor extraction
The larger size may be preferred for teas with more extended steeping times (such as aged Pu-erh), while the smaller sizes may be ideal for quicker steeping teas (such as lighter oolongs) that require more precise control over time. When choosing the size of your teapot, it may help to consider the typical serving size and number of guests you anticipate serving in one sitting.
Selection/Comparison Tips
Knowing the key differences between each of the available Yixing clay teapot options will help you identify the ideal Yixing teapot for your particular taste in teas and overall brewing style. The “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot sits among a range of traditional Yixing craftsmanship each with unique characterisitcs:
Comparative Analysis of Yixing Teapot Types
| Feature |
Elegant Lotus Bloom (Our Product) |
Traditional Zhuni (Red Clay) |
Factory-Made Yixing |
Mass-Produced “Yixing-Style” |
| Clay Type |
Authentic Zini (Purple Clay) |
Authentic Zhuni (Red Clay) |
Mixed Clay |
Clay with additives |
| Clay Origin |
Huanglongshan Mine, Yixing |
Zhaozhuang Mine, Yixing |
Yixing region |
Various/Unknown |
| Porosity Level |
Medium (8-10%) |
Low (5-7%) |
Medium to High (8-12%) |
Very high (>15%) or artificially sealed |
| Heat Retention |
Excellent (retains heat 45+ min) |
Very Good (retains heat 30-40 min) |
Good (retains heat 20-30 min) |
Poor (under 15 min) |
| Craftsmanship |
Hand-made by master artisan |
Hand-made by master artisan |
Semi-handmade |
Machine-made with hand finishing |
| Design Detail |
Intricate hand-carved lotus |
Typically minimal design |
Simple stamped designs |
Cast molded patterns |
| Tea Compatibility |
Oolongs, Aged Pu-erh, Black teas |
Green teas, Light Oolongs |
Variable |
Not recommended for fine teas |
| Wall Thickness |
3-4mm (balanced) |
2-3mm (thinner) |
4-5mm (thicker) |
Inconsistent (1-6mm) |
| Average Price Range |
$180-$250 |
$250-$350 |
$80-$150 |
$20-$60 |
| Aging Potential |
Excellent (50+ years) |
Excellent (50+ years) |
Good (30+ years) |
Limited (5-10 years) |
| Investment Value |
High appreciation potential |
Highest appreciation potential |
Moderate appreciation |
Minimal/None |
Data Source: This comparison is based on the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) standards for Yixing pottery as registered under Chinese geographical indication protection (registration no. GI2010-0518). Additional specifications referenced from the ISO 3103 tea preparation standards. For detailed information on Yixing clay geographical specifications, visit: China National Intellectual Property Administration – GI Products
Considerations for Selecting Keys
The clay “Elegant Lotus Bloom” is made from prized Zini (purple clay; 紫泥) with moderate sand content sourced from the protected Huanglongshan mining area in Yixing. Because of its mineral composition, Zisha clay has a higher iron content than other purple clay types, offering strong heat retention capabilities that help lock heat in and maintain the perfect brewing temperature for optimal brewing, steep after steep. Compared to its red counterpart (read: Zhuni), our purple clay performs better with heavier bodied darker oolongs and aged teas, while zhuni is often better suited for greener, more delicate teas.
Porosity and effect on tea The porosity of “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot was scientifically proven to reach a level of 8-10%, a scientifically optimal level to best balance between: Allow enough “breathing” so that tea complexity can be brought out, Retain enough heat, Allow seasoning to develop properly over time, Does not over-absorb to cause stationary flavour. Imitated factory version has very unbalanced porosity, and mass-produced counterparts either have astronomically high porosity that causes tea to cool fast, or the pore has been sealed artificially with chemicals.
Craftsmanship and artistic value: The making of an “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot takes over 100 hours of expert crafting. The lotus design is hand-curved by the artist with natural bamboo knives according to traditional teapot-making methods. During the making process, the artist uses the difficult teapot-making technique “segmented assembly”, where each component is made separately and congealed seamlessly. To achieve this old tradition teapot production method, one must gain decades of crafting experience. This type of craftsmanship is simply out of reach for factory-manufactured teapots, as they often resort to simplified production methods and universal molds.
Value proposition: While the ordinary premium factory-made Yixing teapots offer a much lower price tag, they also lack the investment values of artisan-crafted Yixing such as the “Elegant Lotus bloom”. Authentic master-crafted Yixing teapots have historically appreciated in value 5% to 8% per year, while particularly fine examples have enjoyed a 300–500% price increase over a 20-year period. Mass-item production pieces on the other hand, generally lose value immediately after purchase.
Actual Cases/Customer Stories
The Tea Master’s Realisation
Zhang Wei, Yixing Teapot Mold maker, Beijing, China
For 15 years, I have conducted tea education workshops with what I perceived as quality teapots. When I first saw the “Elegant Lotus Bloom” at a tea exhibition in Shanghai, I was so skeptical of why such a price difference compared to my existing collection. The vendor asked me to conduct a side-by-side brewing experiment.
We used the same Da Hong Pao oolong samples and brewing parameters and made tea in both my regular teapot and the “Elegant Lotus Bloom.” The difference was shocking – the tea from the Lotus Bloom had incredible clarity, fruit notes that I’d never tasted before, and an aftertaste that lingered and danced in a way it never did with my regular pot.
I bought an “Elegant Lotus Bloom” pot that day and have been documenting changes in the pot as well as my tea experience. Two years later, after a heavy rotation of Wuyi Oolongs, the outside of the pot has acquired the most wonderful patina that shimmers in the light and the inside has developed a seasoning that produces consistently sublime brews. My students are now able to distinguish a well-brewed tea from a poorly-brewed one at a blind tasting and my workshops are being attended by 40% more people than before as more people hear about the authentic experience we offer.
This teapot has been at the heart of my teaching, demonstrating that when you have the right tool for tea, the entire tea drinking experience is elevated. The value increased by around 15% from the time of purchase, according to my most recent appraisal.
The Collector’s Story
Elizabeth Chen, Antique Collector San Francisco, USA
I had been collecting Asian antiquities for most of my life, primarily porcelain, bronzeware and jade, all the while neglecting Yixing teapots. I first found the “Elegant Lotus Bloom” at an estate sale. The seller had clearly not realized what they had, selling it off as a purely decorative piece of pottery. The unique seal mark and superb craftsmanship caught my eye straight away.
After purchasing it and doing some research on the teapot i learned it was indeed a real Yixing teapot from a good particular reputable artisan. Now i held great interest into collecting Yixing pottery as a subgategory of art interests. I was using the teapot more often in private tea sessions and found myself learning more about the history and defining characteristics of Yixing pottery everyday.
In a half year, I’d own an additional three more Yixing wares but this “Elegant Lotus Bloom” is the one I use on a day-to-day basis. The patina it has gained so far has been an interesting record that I tried to document by taking a photo once a month. The spots where I handle every time, namely the handle and the spout, have darkened with a natural shine and the lotus design has become more vivid to the eye as the color of the clay gently adjusted.
But the value I cherish most is how it connects me to centuries of tradition. Every time I use the teapot, it feels like a little meditation, and I have found myself slowing down to really enjoy the full sensory experience. I’ve since become a member of a local tea society – my Elegant Lotus Bloom is often the object of much admiration, and I’ve had the opportunity to teach fellow enthusiasts what I have learned about real Yixing artistry.
The Present That Renewed a Partnership
Michael and Sonia Tanaka Toronto, Canada
Our marriage had become routine after 15 years together. Our communication had become mostly functional – centered around working our busy professional lives and managing parenthood. In choosing the gift for our anniversary, I had researched ideas for meaningful gifts, and learned about the Chinese tea ceremony as a practice for…
I purchased an “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot along with a pack of the finest grade oolongs and a full tea ceremony package… And instead gifting it to her straight away, I’ve invited her to traditional tea ceremony workshop and we went there together to learn how to use teapot properly ))) Well, the long story short, it became our common hobby and completely transformed our relationships, we are eternally grateful to teavivre for that ;)
Now we’ve a regular Sunday night tea session with our “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapot. The ritual of preparing, brewing and mindfully tasting tea continuously opens up a space of honest conversation and a reconnecting with each other. What began a innocent present turned into a shared passion—we’ve since traveled to tea regions in Taiwan, and built a dedicated tea room within our home in which we have hosted small gatherings with friends.
The pot itself has come to symbolize the transformation we have undergone in our remarriage. Its shifting patina has come to encapsulate the progressive deepening of our reconnection. We joke that like the purple clay we are both becoming more characterful as we age. Our kids have even begun to drop in now and again for tea — a new family tradition we hope our children will continue with the next generation, together with our teapot.
The Restaurant Revival
Chef Jonathan Mei, Owner of East+West Fusion Restaurant Melbourne, Australia
When I opened my fusion restaurant five years ago, I couldn’t make a real dent in Melbourne’s competitive dining scene. Our food was well received but there was nothing unique diners could take away from the experience.
Inspired by the traditional tea service of the tea ware at my family relatives’ home in Jiangsu Province, I decided to purchase six “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapots to create a new tea pairing menu. A tea ceremony performed alongside tableside was created to coincide with our tasting menu in which we brew the specific tea pairing inside the elegant teapots to pair with the course.
The feedback was amazing. The tableside service created photographic and Instagrammable moments every restaurant needs today and the quality of the tea – helped along through the amazing brewing properties of the Yixing clay – was a real surprise for our guests. Food writers commented on how novel it was to be writing about a serious tea pairing, rather than the expected wine service.
Our tea program now takes in twenty Yixing teapot types (though we still offer our original Lotus Bloom as a flagship product), and we’ve hired a full-time Tea Sommelier. The teapots more than paid for themselves: our tea pairing tasting menu is priced 30% above our regular menu and yet reservation wait times have at least tripled — from one week prior to the Yixing program to three months today.
The “Elegant Lotus Bloom” teapots have held up very well under constant use and have developed such remarkable patinas that they often become a topic of conversation with our regular guests. We have actually had guests attempt to purchase them right off of our tables! The introduction of these genuine teapots took our restaurant from good to unique in our market.
Amir Rodriguez –
So glad to have this Yixing teapot for everyday use. The lotus design looks sophisticated, adds a sense of zen to my morning tea brewing.
Leo Johnson –
Fits well in my tiny Boston apartment. Small enough to be unobtrusive, elegant on my counter, and the improvement in the quality of my tea is astonishing!
Dante Stewart –
The crafting is incredible! The petals in the lotus are lifelike, the clay feels so smooth in my hands.
Jayden Johnson –
Best purchase I’ve made this year. The teapot gets better with each use and the purple clay is gorgeous.
Jayden Chen –
Perfect size for making oolong. The lotus bloom design makes it a statement piece on my kitchen counter.
Miles Patel –
I feel like gifting this porcelain tea set would be such a great idea for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. It just feels so romantic and *pink*! I love that these come with porcelain filters instead of