Yixing Teapots Information

The special properties of zisha clay make the Yixing tea pots the best teapots for brewing tea

Shen Nong, a Chinese emperor drank the unknown beverage, that was produced when some leaves fell into the boiling water and after drinking the beverage he found it to be pleasurable and effective. This is how tea was "discovered" around 5000 years ago, according to the Chinese legends. The popularity of tea soon spread through China and then Japan and became an integral part of life and culture in both these countries. The association of tea in the Chinese religious rituals and "Japanese Tea Ceremony" are proofs to this fact. With the passage of time tea drinking habits spread throughout the globe. Now tea is available in various categories. Amongst them the four basic categories are:

• Black
• Green
• Oolong
• Herbal Tea

These tea varieties are different in tastes as well as in the process of making. While the black tea is fully oxidized, the green tea is not oxidized at all. The Oolong tea can be placed in between black and green tea in respect of both the taste and flavor. This tea is partly oxidized to give this effect. The herbal tea does not contain any tea leaves. It is basically produced from flowers, berries, peels, leaves, and seeds of other plants.

Whatever is the quality and category of the tea leaves, to prepare a perfect cup of tea good brewing is the key of success. Through ages the connoisseurs of finest tea and experts of tea brewing have been considering the Yixing tea pot to be the best brewing vessel of tea. This popularity of Yixing tea pot dates back to the discovery of the purple tinged zisha clay during the reign of Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279). Zisha clay, which is the ideal raw material for making Yixing tea pot, was first mined in Yixing province of China. According to the experts, Yixing tea pots are the best tea brewing vessels as they can preserve the heat, primary color, flavors and taste of the tea for as long as five days. The unique sedimentary lake deposits of the tea due to the use of zisha clay also contribute to the fine brewing technique of Yixing tea pot. Apart from the brewing excellence Yixing tea pots are special because they do not crack even in case of extreme temperature difference. These Yixing teapots mature with more use and hence these tea pot items are not supposed to be cleaned for better results.

The secret behind these finest qualities of a Yixing tea pot is the unique chemical composition and characteristics of zisha clay. Zisha Clay (Zi=purple and Sha= Sand) is neither an ordinary sandy clay nor it has a purple color. This clay (also known as five color clay) is a mixture of clay, quartz and mica and contains high amount of iron. Zisha clay has some unique qualities like 4% absorption rate that makes it the best possible ingredient for making Yixing tea pot. As zisha clay does not contain led, arsenic, cadmium and other toxic materials the Yixing tea pot items are free from any toxic reaction. In fact Yixing tea pot exceeds the strict standards imposed by China's pottery research institute and is also approved by the FDA's standard of quality.

Besides providing the best quality brewing of tea Yixing teapots are also fine examples of the artistic genius of the potters of Yixing. The tea pot items are regarded as collectibles for their aesthetic appeal.

Yixing teapots have unique functionality as well as amazing beauty.

Tea Pots | Teapots