Chinese Teapot: History, Types, and Modern Guide

Discovering the story behind Yixing teapots is like unearthing a treasure chest packed with centuries of artistry and culture. These iconic Chinese teapots, crafted from the distinctive purple clay (zisha) found near Yixing, Jiangsu province, have enchanted tea lovers for generations. The allure of Yixing teapots isn’t just about their elegant shapes or earthy hues—they’re revered for how they transform the tea experience.

Yixing clay comes in purple (zisha), red (hongni), and yellow (duanni). The iron- and silica-rich clay has a high degree of porosity, so the teapot “breathes” and absorbs the scent and flavor of tea. Over time, a Yixing teapot develops a patina and becomes seasoned with use. To preserve its natural character, Yixing teapots are usually dedicated to a single type of tea, usually oolong or pu-erh, so as to absorb only one particular aroma and flavor. Table: The Signature Features of Yixing Clay

Data Source: Technical Monograph on Yixing Zisha Clay Teapots published by China National Light Industry Council
http://www.clii.com.cn (official site of China Light Industry Information Center; specific PDF reports may require further navigation or access through Chinese academic institutions)

Data Source: Jiangsu Yixing Zisha Pottery Museum – Educational Displays and Cultural Preservation Resources
http://www.yxxm.cn (museum website dedicated to Yixing pottery craftsmanship)

Data Source: Chinese National Standard GB/T 13522-2008 for Ceramic Materials
https://openstd.samr.gov.cn (search database for Chinese National Standards; register to download GB/T 13522-2008 and related materials)

Crafting a real Yixing teapot is an old art passed down through generations. Skilled artisans hand-form every teapot using traditional molds and wooden tools. They knead, pound, and sculpt the clay before firing pieces at high temperatures. Afterward, they embellish them with natural carvings, poetic inscriptions or striking handles and spouts. No two teapots are exactly alike. A Yixing teapot is like a fingerprint, containing traces of its creator’s style and persona.

Yixing teapots aren’t archaic artifacts—they are living objects still used daily in Chinese houses and tea ceremonies. Traditionally, a Yixing teapot is employed to perform the gongfu tea ritual, a methodical tea ceremony that exemplifies patience and skill. Its small size permits multiple infusions and allows participants to taste the subtler, fuller flavors at each drinking interval. Today, Yixing teapots are popular with tea drinkers across the world. Antique teapots find their place in international museum collections, while contemporary Yixing teapots have found a place in mainstream Western culture. While master craftsmen continue to produce teapots in recognizable classical shapes, younger potters are pushing the boundaries of art with new forms and colors. Every modern teapot reflect its maker’s spirit and creativity— from subtle, harmonious blending of tradition and modernity to audacious, ambitious expressions of ideas. Contemporary teapots:

Case Study: How Yixing Teapots became a trend in Western Tea Culture “I remember the first time I brewed oolong in my Yixing pot, the flavors developed so much greater than before,” enthuses tea educator Nicole Martin. “And a year later, that same teapot had a character of its own.” As tea lovers around the world become more interested in different aspects of tea culture, Yixing teapots are gaining popularity as an ideal choice for dedicated tea lovers. Key Facts The Yixing teapots have their origin in the 15th century (Ming Dynasty). Each teapot takes over 30 hours to be handmade. Collectors can pay thousands to get a teapot crafted by the great Yixing masters. “A Yixing teapot is not just a utensil—it’s a companion. It remembers every cup you’ve poured.” — Traditional Chinese proverb

If Yixing embodies the spirit of the earth, Jingdezhen is the epitome of refinement and brilliance. Dubbed the “Porcelain Capital” for its thousand years of world-class ceramic production, Jingdezhen (景德镇市) in Jiangxi province is synonymous with pristine, brightly colored teapots. Porcelain teapots from the city are prized for their refined beauty, delicate painting, and lustrous finish.

While proto-porcelain production in Jingdezhen began in the Han Dynasty, it only truly took off during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. By the Ming period, it was emperor’s kiln-ware for the imperial court, setting the standard for Chinese porcelain throughout the world. The secret to the city’s success is its fine kaolin clay, still harvested from the surrounding hills. These unique deposits allowed artisans to craft delicate, paper-thin, translucent teapots that are as strong as they are light. Timeline: Key Milestones in Jingdezhen Porcelain

Data Source: Victoria and Albert Museum – “Drinking Tea: 500 Years of Porcelain in Global Culture”
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/drinking-tea-a-brief-history

Data Source: UNESCO – Listing of traditional porcelain-making, including tea-related uses, as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage of Jingdezhen
https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/the-traditional-crafting-of-jingdezhen-porcelain-00420

Data Source: “Chinese Ceramics: From the Paleolithic Period through the Qing Dynasty” – Metropolitan Museum of Art, Scholarly Timeline
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/chcl/hd_chcl.htm

The delicate handwork of Jingdezhen artisans is legendary. Classic blue-and-white patterns, hand-painted landscape scenes, and sumptuous gold overglazes aren’t just sophisticated—they demonstrate centuries of technical mastery. Some teapots are so fine they ring like a bell when you tap them. In recent years, artisans have been pioneering new glazing techniques, seeking lead-free finishes, and collaborating with modern artists and industrial designers.

Despite their decorative allure, Jingdezhen teapots are just as brewers as they are beauties. Their soft, heat-preserving walls suit them for green and scented teas, coaxing out delicate aromas and flavors. In the West, porcelain teapots were an 18th-century status symbol, influencing the development of European ceramic styles. Fact Box: Jingdezhen Porcelain in Numbers Over 90% of China’s porcelain is produced in Jingdezhen. More than 3,000 kiln sites have been discovered around the city. Jingdezhen porcelain is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. “Porcelain is the poetry of earth and fire. Jingdezhen writes its verses on every teapot.” — Ceramic historian Li Hong

The world of Chinese teapots is as diverse as the teas they brew. From the earthy warmth of Yixing clay to the pristine elegance of porcelain and the shimmering luxury of silver, each material brings a distinctive character to the tea experience. Understanding these materials helps you select a teapot that best matches your favorite brew and brewing style.

Yixing Clay: This porous, mineral-rich clay imparts subtle flavors, absorbing the aroma and oils of the tea over time. Yixing teapots are ideal for oolong, pu-erh, and black teas. They’re cherished for their ability to “remember” previous infusions, creating a unique, personalized cup every time. Porcelain: Porcelain teapots, most famously produced in Jingdezhen, are non-porous. They don’t retain flavors, making them perfect for delicate teas like green or white. Their smooth, glazed surfaces preserve the tea’s pure taste and aroma. Silver: Less common but highly prized, silver teapots are believed to enhance the freshness and brightness of tea. Silver is naturally antibacterial and doesn’t interact with the tea’s flavor compounds, offering a clean, crisp taste. Antique silver teapots often feature ornate designs and are valued as collector’s items. Other Materials:

Comparison: Chinese Teapot Materials

Data Source: “Silver in Tea Ware: A Chemical and Cultural Perspective” in Journal of Tea Science, Tsinghua University
https://tea.tsinghua.edu.cn (search institution archives for articles on metal interaction)

Data Source: Victoria & Albert Museum – “Material Matters: Ceramics, Glass, and the Art of Brewing Tea” digital exhibition
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/material-matters-and-tea

Data Source: “Metals in Tea: Silver, Steel and Iron Kettles” – Specialty Tea Association (STA) Educational Resource
https://www.specialityteaassociation.org

The teapot’s material interacts with tea in subtle but important ways. Porous clay, like Yixing, absorbs essential oils and builds up a “tea memory,” deepening flavors with every use. Porcelain, by contrast, keeps each brew pure and unaffected by previous teas. Silver reflects heat efficiently, keeping the tea warm and enhancing its brightness. Fact: A seasoned Yixing teapot can make tea taste richer than one brewed in glass or porcelain, especially after years of dedicated use. Some tea connoisseurs own dozens of teapots, each “dedicated” to a specific type of tea.

Choosing your teapot material isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about matching the vessel to your tea. Here’s a quick guide:

Pro Tip: If you’re just starting your collection, pick up at least one Yixing teapot for dark teas and a porcelain one for lighter brews. You’ll notice the difference in every sip.

The silhouette of a Chinese teapot isn’t just about aesthetics. Each shape carries cultural significance, practical brewing advantages, and, sometimes, a story that connects the vessel to centuries of tradition. By exploring the diverse shapes of Chinese teapots, you’ll uncover the hidden language of tea culture—where form meets function and symbolism.

Chinese teapots come in a dazzling array of forms, each carefully designed for both beauty and utility. Here are some of the most recognized shapes and what they represent:

Table: Popular Chinese Teapot Shapes and Their Practical Benefits

Data Source: “The Art of the Chinese Teapot” – Victoria and Albert Museum Collection Guide
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-art-of-the-chinese-teapot

Data Source: UNESCO – Intangible Cultural Heritage: Yixing Zisha Craftsmanship and Its Symbolic Forms
https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/the-traditional-crafting-of-jingdezhen-porcelain-00420
(Note: also includes stylization and symbolism in traditional ceramics.)

Data Source: “Form and Function: Analysis of Traditional Teapot Shapes and Usage in Gong Fu Cha” – Journal of Tea Culture and Craft, Chinese Academy of Arts
http://www.caa.edu.cn (navigate to journals section for articles on teaware design)

Beyond symbolism, a teapot’s shape dictates how tea leaves unfurl, how heat is dispersed, and how flavors are released. Consider a round teapot—there’s plenty of room for the leaves to expand, allowing their flavors to deepen and mingle. A narrow-necked teapot traps the aroma, helping the scent to grow stronger with each waft. The spout’s angle, the lid’s closure, the handle’s height—everything counts. A well-designed spout pours smoothly without splatter; a snugly-fitted lid keeps the brewed tea at an optimum temperature. Fact: A seasoned tea master may choose a pear-shaped Yixing teapot for jasmine tea, because the shape concentrates aroma, while opting for a round pot for robust pu-erh to allow the leaves to breathe.

During traditional tea ceremonies, the choice of a teapot’s shape can even signal a sign of respect for the guests or signify the festive setting of the event. Pumpkin-shaped teapots, for instance, are favored during harvest festivals, whereas lotus-inspired teapots are reserved for spiritual ceremonies. “The teapot is the heart of the tea ceremony. Its shape tells the story of the moment.” — Tea ceremony master Chen Yulan Quick Chart: Matching Shape to Tea Type

Data Source: Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute & Yixing Ceramic Research Center – Archive of teapot morphology and brewing compatibility
http://www.jdci.edu.cn

Data Source: “Zisha Teapots and Gongfu Tea Practice” – Journal of Chinese Tea Culture, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
http://cass.cn (navigate to appropriate journal issues)

Data Source: “Brewing Parameters and Vessel Forms: Traditional Chinese Tea Practice” – International Tea Science Journal
https://www.teaculture.org (independent review of shape, thermal dynamics, and steeping styles)

Data Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Traditional Crafting of Yixing Zisha Clay Teapots
https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/the-traditional-crafting-of-jingdezhen-porcelain-00420

Pro Tip: If you’re building a collection, include several shapes to experiment with brewing different teas—you’ll discover nuances in taste, aroma, and presentation.

Chinese teapot artistry isn’t just shaped by materials and creative design—it’s defined by the hands that craft them and the regions that nurture distinct styles. From Yixing’s legendary clay-mastering dynasties to Jingdezhen’s visionary porcelain innovators, Chinese teapot making is a landscape rich with personal stories and local character.

Yixing Masters: Yixing’s clay teapot tradition has produced some of China’s most famous artisans. Masters like Gu Jingzhou, Jiang Rong, and Shao Daheng are revered for their creativity, technical prowess, and personal style. Their works are often signed with a seal inside the lid or on the base, instantly recognizable to collectors. Jingdezhen Artists: In Jingdezhen, artists such as Wang Bu and Sun Yimin have pushed the boundaries of porcelain teapot decoration, blending classical motifs with modern influences. Their hand-painted teapots fetch high prices at auctions and are showcased in prestigious museums. Other Regional Luminaries:

Legendary Chinese teapot makers with hallmarks

Data Source: China National Arts & Crafts Master Database – Profiles of Nationally Recognized Ceramic Masters including Gu Jingzhou and Wang Bu
http://www.zyzg.cn/html/msfc/

Data Source: “Zisha Ware: Artistry of Gu Jingzhou” – Yixing Ceramics Research Center official archive
http://www.yxxm.cn

Data Source: Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute – Archive of 20th-century porcelain painters, including Wang Bu and Sun Yimin
http://www.jdci.edu.cn

Data Source: Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Database – Entries on regional teapot masters
https://www.ihchina.cn/

Chinese regions often have their own teapot making style based upon tradition, availability of different construction materials, and preferences of local tea drinkers.

Regional styles of Chinese teapots

Data Source: Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute – Database of regional ceramic techniques and tea vessel usage
http://www.jdci.edu.cn

Data Source: Yixing Zisha Ceramics Research Center – Form and function guide to regional Zisha teapots
http://www.yxxm.cn

Data Source: “Teaware and Regional Identity: China’s Ceramic Heritage” – National Light Industry Journal of Cultural Materials
http://www.clii.com.cn

“A good teapot is a story told by its region, by its maker, by its clay, by its glaze.” — collector Zhang Wei

For collectors it can be a challenge to authenticate a teapot’s origin or maker, popularly done by recognizing a teapot maker’s seals, shapes, and style (based on clay, carving skill, engraving style, and pinyin calligraphic standards). Provenance papers and certificates are available with many teapots, and buyers of famous Yixing or Jingdezhen teapot forgeries can consult experts to review corresponding certificates of authenticity. Tip: Always ask for genuine certificate of authenticity from seller (if available) and research the reputation of the teapot maker if you are planning on making a costly investment in a teapot; not only will you get a genuine teapot from a known artist and/or region, you’d enjoy a teapot with value that would increase over time.

Brewing tea in a traditional Chinese teapot turns it into a sensory experience. Its vessel, the type of tea leaves, and your technique can all be the key to unlock the full potential of aroma and taste. If you’re using a classic Yixing clay pot or a Jingdezhen porcelain teapot, a step-by-step approach makes sure, your tea tastes great every time.

Seasoning: Some claim that before use, a clay teapot should be “seasoned”, especially prior to its first use. By seasoning is meant to remove manufacturing residues and to begin the process of tea flavor absorption. A common way of seasoning is to boil the teapot in water for up to 10–20 minutes, after which the teapot is removed and allowed to dry. After boiling, a strong brew of the tea (which the pot is to be used to brew) is often prepared as a waste brew. Both the water used to season the teapot and the waste brew are usually discarded. After seasoning the teapot in such a manner, the teapot is primed for use in producing flavourful infusions in the future. Cleaning: Rinse your teapot with warm water before and after preparation and use, and never clean it with soap. This is especially important if you have a Yixing clay teapot, the pours of which will absorb both soap and taste. On non-clay teapots like porcelain and glass, it’s fine to clean them with mild dish soap, although it’s best not to scrub them with anything that would scratch or damage the teapot.

Gongfu Style (Yixing Clay):

Porcelain Teapot:

Silver and Glass Teapots:

Fact: The same tea leaves steeped in a Yixing teapot and a porcelain teapot will already taste different after only 3 or so infusions, since the clay pot will take in more of the infusions time after time, building a so-called ‘tea memory’.

A well-maintained Chinese teapot can last a lifetime, aging gracefully with continual use. These beloved artifacts, whether a traditional Yixing clay teapot, a shining porcelain vessel, or a valuable silver collectors’ item, require good maintenance to keep them looking their best and working well. Failure to follow proper care instructions can result in cracked and chipped teapots, discolored exteriors, or stripped flavor from the tea itself, so be sure to take care of your teapots like the valuable companions they are.

Yixing Clay Teapots:

Porcelain Teapots:

Silver Teapots:

Other Materials:

Proper storage is crucial for preventing damage that can reduce a teapot’s aesthetic quality and its ability to make beautiful tasting tea.

Fact: Within years of brewing the same type of tea in the same Yixing teapot, the clay will develop a glossy sheen over the favored years of use, which is a sign of expert care and nurturing.

Quick List: Do’s and Don’ts of Teapot Care Do: Rinse after every use Dry thoroughly before storage Handle with care, especially delicate lids and spouts Don’t: Use strong chemicals or rough abrasives Expose the teaware to sudden temperature changes Brew different teas in the same clay teapot

For tea lovers around the world, collecting antique Chinese teapots is a wonderful pastime that combines history, artistry, and valuable investing. Every certified antique teapot is more than a container for preparing tea — it’s a piece of culture, acting as a reflection of the social, technological, and artistic trends of that given time period. Resultantly, antique teapots are an attractive opportunity for investors, and navigating their market requires some street smarts. How do you get the best teapots you can with your money? How do you know if a teapot is a genuine antique? And how do you store them for later inheritance or resale?

Authentication: Antique Chinese teapots can be identified by their material, signature trademarks, and their formal style. Antique Yixing clay teapots will likely be signed by the artisan with a seal. This is seen most commonly on the bottom of the teapot or inside the lid. Antique Jingdezhen porcelain teapots will usually have displaced underglaze blue marks, marks for periods of reign, or even signs of dynasty. Key Features to Look For:

Chinese teapots are a dynamic element of modern tea culture, connecting tradition with contemporary lifestyles. As the appreciation of tea grows worldwide, teapots have adapted in design, materials and application, reflecting new tastes and technology while preserving traditions passed down the generations.

Modern Chinese teapots are a blend of traditional forms and new aesthetics. Designers experiment with colour glazes, minimalist shapes, and even hybrid materials, creating teapots with a wide appeal amongst dedicated collectors and casual drinkers alike. For example, some Yixing-inspired teapots now have ergonomic handles and drip-free spouts, making them more functional for everyday enjoyment. Jingdezhen porcelain artists incorporate traditional blue-and-white motifs alongside bold, abstract patterns. Modern Teapot Design Trends:

Example: Tea brand “Teaplus” partnered with Jingdezhen artists to produce a line of dishwasher-safe porcelain teapots with QR codes in the base, linking to videos on how to brew tea using the teapots’ QR code scanner – tea heritage combined with digital heritage.

Sustainability is an increasing priority. Eco-friendly glazes, recycled packaging, and local sourcing of materials are common in production. Teapot makers are also developing new firing processes to lower energy consumption. The Role of Technology:

Younger tea drinkers value the ritual of tea brewing but also embrace convenience: Many use smaller teapots to brew for one, make tea with loose leaves from around the world and tend to prefer teapots that are easy to clean and store. The saucerless teapot is especially popular among the “tea art” community on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where users display their collections, create their own innovative brewing “recipes,” and post photos of their setups.

Chinese teapots function not just as a tea brewing tool, but as cultural symbols that play an integral role in the spiritual and tactile rituals of Chinese tea preparation and consumption. How the teapot is made, shaped, and handled all carries intentional meaning within traditional tea ceremonies, meant to evoke harmony, connection, and respect within the practice of tea-drinking.

Amongst the well-known traditional Chinese tea ceremonies is the gongfu tea ceremony, where usage and selection of a teapot is crucial. For this ceremony, a teapot made of Yixing clay or porcelain is commonly used, with the small Yixing teapot often selected to brew oolong or pu-erh tea by virtue of its texture that enhances the flavour and aroma of these types of tea, while porcelain teapots may be used for lighter, more delicate types such as green or scented teas. When conducting the ceremony, the teapot is used to measure the amount of tea leaves used, the temperature of water and the length of infusions. Even the stage when tea is poured from the teapot into the cups and tools is considered ritualistic, an expression of etiquette, aesthetic and intention from the practitioner. Some such steps involving the teapot include:

“A teapot in ceremony is an invitation to mindfulness, a bridge between nature and human artistry.” — Gongfu tea master Xiao Mei

Tea preparation and pouring is a gesture of respect, of gratitude, of hospitality, and the teapot, its handling and design, contributes to these gestures in multifaceted, intricate ways. The order or individuals served by the teapot, the direction it faces, the use or lack of the lid when pouring the tea all communicate respect and honour to the recipient of the tea. In the instance of a tea ceremony, it is traditional to pour the first cup to offer to one’s ancestors or to the hung zhong (a cup without an owner) first before the other cups are poured. For other customs, teapot etiquette might dictate that the direction of the spout face away from guests as to draw attention away from oneself, while maintaining a firm grip on the lid of a teapot as it is tilted to pour can signify a sense of respect towards the individual receiving the tea. Certain teapots are designated by the occasion for which they are used, such as teapots with pumpkin-like facades and patterns that are used in the Chinese harvest festival, and some might even be reserved exclusively as offerings to ancestors for ritualistic tributes, only ever used by people for the act of ceremonial ancestral tea offerings. In the case of a wedding gift, teapots were seen as an auspicious, fortuitous gift when presented in an exchange from a matchmaker to the family of a bride-to-be, and would be shaped into a roundness and a crimson hue to bring vitality and joy to the newlyweds, a theme of unification and harmony existing throughout the many facets of Chinse tea culture. Etiquette points:

Table: Symbolism of teapots in common ceremonies

Data Source: Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute – Exhibition on “Symbolic Forms in Porcelain: Festive and Seasonal Rites”
http://www.jdci.edu.cn

Data Source: Yixing Ceramics Research Center – “Zisha Teapots in Life Rites: Marriage, Ancestor Worship, Festivals”
http://www.yxxm.cn

Data Source: National Light Industry Journal – “Form and Symbol: The Meaning Behind Chinese Teapot Morphologies”
http://www.clii.com.cn

Data Source: “Art and Symbolism in Chinese Teaware” – Victoria & Albert Museum Decorative Arts Research
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-art-of-the-chinese-teapot

Some teapots, such as those created by particular potters (e.g. Hui Mengchen teapots) or those whose manufacture were commissioned by a revered figure (e.g. a emperor), are seen as collectors’ items, and subsequently are valued for the rarity and exclusivity of such teapots. Depending on the family, some teapots are passed down from generation to generation, given as a treasured teapot. Within the family, teapots that might hold ancestral significance may come in the form of an heirloom teapot, as recollections within the collective identity of both ancestors and posterity can be affixed to the treasured, shared item. Antique collector’s teapots previously used by ancestors for ritual, celebration and ceremony are traditionally seen as repositories of familial sentiment. Such familial legacy teapots are factual examples of cultural artefacts, manifesting as a physical retainer of social knowledge. Case Study: a tea-enjoying bloodline of posterity in Fujian province have for generational cycles used the same Yixing purple clay teapot for their Lunar New Year feminist tradition of preparing and drinking tea, believing that the tea memory accumulated within the generational teapot brings fortune to their family since their ancestors first began the tradition. Fact: Ceremonial teapots from all timespans of historic China are extant today and are exhibited in places such as Beijing and Shanghai.

Modern Tea Gatherings While traditional, rigid teapot customs remain unchanged, their implementation of this dynamic nature has diversified into many new facets of the contemporary Shenzhen cultural customs, and the teapot can be adapted to suit the mood and atmosphere of each gathering, bringing individuals closer together in previously unimagined ways. Festivals are brought intimacy through chaba. Rather than keeping the teapot culture in the past, hosting contemporary teapot conventions in cultural theme parks and tourist attractions within Shenzhen that were previously held in Tang during major holidays such as Duanwujie helps to incorporate this intangible aspect of China’s cultural heritage within a population unfamiliar with this concept, making the enamelled teapot more accessible to a global cultural setting, both locally and internationally. Commercial Adaptations The teapot collage not only embraces the dissemination of a more accessible tea culture within the traditional tea community, but also extends this inclusivity to outside forms of social tea-drinking, from the most formal to the least formal of settings. Teapot Type and Selection In a commercial setting, tea club and business conference participants are encouraged to bring their own Yixing teapots to share amongst friends for a tactile teapot experience of family, friends.

Despite the passage of time and changing fads, whether influenced by global colonization or modern production methods, the Chinese teapot has never stopped being a work of art and heart. They ground tea rituals in kitchens, teahouses, tea ceremonies, and tea temples around the world, from the ruddy lustre of Yixing clay to the glazed glow of Jingdezhen porcelain. They are not merely vessels or tools but storytellers, memory-holders, cultural-beings, and touchstones across time.

“The Chinese teapot is humble but deep; taciturn in and of itself, it nevertheless brings together people, tastes, rememberances, and it too is the Tao.” — Tea historian Chen Rong Whether you’re a beginner, an experienced tea drinker, or potential collector, loving and understanding the Chinese teapot is a more engaging and fulfilling way to drink tea. Pull out your next teapot, brew your next cup of tea, and revere the teapot’s shape, experience its history, and live, from a distance, with the thousand or so years of craftsmanship and history whose embodiment allows us to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures.