How to Choose a Yixing Teapot OolongDragon.com
i. Size
OolongDragon.com
Size 1 2 3 4
Approx. Volume Persons To Be Served 70 ml./2.4 fl.oz 100 ml / 3.4 fl.oz 175 ml / 6 fl.oz. 225 ml / 7.6 fl.oz.
Max 2 persons Max 4 persons Max 5 persons Max 6 persons
Determine how many persons you will be serving tea so that you can get the right size. The table above is the best guide.
ii. Shape
OolongDragon.com
Taiwan Oolong (High Profile)
Green/White Tea (High Profile)
Tie Guan Yin (Low Profile)
Chinese Black Tea (High Profile)
Da Hong Pao & Phoenix (Low Profile)
Decorative (Low Profile)
OolongDragon.com
iii. Body
Sphere-shaped pots are most efficient for convection and infusion.
OolongDragon.com
iii. Body
Flat pots, despite their round bottoms, are best for short infusion time when using plenty of tea leaves.
OolongDragon.com
Tall ones, especially those that are rectangular in shape, are best when the pot’s body is thick and heat resistant.
iii. Body
OolongDragon.com
iii. Body
Tubular ones are less effective for convection. The best ones are designs that have thicker material in the bottom and thinner top for maximum infusion.
OolongDragon.com
iv. Handle
A good one would have easy but firm hold and good balance when you lift the pot. The wrist should be able to comfortably tilt the pot when pouring.
OolongDragon.com
The spout should be perfectly aligned to form the main axis of the pot.
iv. Handle
OolongDragon.com
v. Lid and Neck
It is standard to expect for it not to fall off when the pot is tilted at 45째. The lid must also be close-fitting with the opening.
OolongDragon.com
v. Lid and Neck
Small openings are ideal for brewing fragrant teas. The neck reduces the water exposed to air to reduce loss of heat.
OolongDragon.com
vi. Spouts
The spout must be big enough to pour the tea easily to avoid constriction and results in shorter brewing time.
vi. Spouts
OolongDragon.com
Single Hole Spout
Mesh Style
Half-Ball Mesh
Popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasty.
The end of Qing dynasty, has 6 or more holes.
For export to Japan in the 1970s. Filters tea leaves efficiently.
vii. Manufacturing
OolongDragon.com
Molded by hand and uses tools like wood picks & paddles.
Molded by machine and assembled by hand.
Mass produced using premolded parts with a machine.
Handmade
Semi-handmade
Moulded Teapots
viii. Clay
OolongDragon.com
Earth Clay
Zisha Clay
Makes 2nd grade quality, affordable pots. Natural color is white.
“Purple Clay”. Original or natural clay. This is a superior type.
ix. Clay Composition
OolongDragon.com
Mixed (Pingni). May be a combination of Yixing, nonYixing and artificial clays.
ix. Clay Composition
Zisha Clay. (Sometimes called “Qing Shui Ni”) when not mixed with other types of clay or has color.
OolongDragon.com
ix. Clay Composition
OolongDragon.com
Artificial (Coloured clay). Can also be mixed with other clays.
x. Clay Color
OolongDragon.com
Zisha clay is often mixed, resulting in many different colors. Adding dyes to Artificial clays often replicate real colors of Zisha but these will fade in time.
xi. Zisha Clay Colors
OolongDragon.com
Zhini (Purple)
Hogni (Red)
xi. Zisha Clay Colors
OolongDragon.com
Duani (Yellow)
xi. Zisha Clay Colors
OolongDragon.com
Heini/Wuni (Black)
Zhuni is a rare Zisha red clay. These are rare and expensive teapots.
OolongDragon.com
xii. Firing Type
Teapots from absorbent clay are low-fired and are made thicker to retain heat longer which works best for Black Tea and Pu-Erh Tea.
OolongDragon.com
They are usually brown in color and used for less fragrant teas.
xii. Firing Types
OolongDragon.com
xii. Firing Types
High-fired teapots use finer, thinner clay and will lose heat faster, preventing over infusion. They are best for Green, White and Oolong Teas.
OolongDragon.com
xii. Firing Types
They are usually red in color, are less permeable and retains fragrance.
for more Yixing Teapot Facts. OolongDragon.com