Looking for a yixing teapot

[Bob_McBob]

I apologize for starting what I know is a pretty regular thread topic here. I am interested in buying a yixing teapot. I had a good read through a lot of old threads here, but the market seems to have changed a bit over the past few years. Yunnan Sourcing was often recommended as a good place to buy cheap yixing teapots, but their eBay store is closed and their web site has nothing in stock. I checked out places like Jing Tea Shop, but their teapots are all in the $100+ range. Fun Alliance has some nice teapots, but not in the sort of design I'm looking for.

I would like a small teapot for personal use, perhaps 4-6oz. Which size would be most appropriate? I'm really hoping to keep the price around $50 or less, though I was initially hoping to buy one or two sub-$25 teapots to get a feel for whether I am interested in spending more. I only really want to brew oolongs this way right now, so I would probably be happy to get one nice teapot.

I'm looking for something very plain. Unfortunately, I already went ahead and ordered a cheap teapot (pictured below, ebay item #320643670643 - can't post link) before doing enough research, and I am not expecting much based on what I've read here. The same seller also carries "hand made" teapots at a higher price. I also checked out the seller "Dragon Tea House" which I know is a reputable vendor based on threads here, but doesn't necessarily carry only high quality merchandise. Most of their teapots are fairly expensive.



e: I apparently missed the entire selection of reasonably priced teapots on Yunnan's site Perhaps some specific recommendations for there?

[bagua7]

Yunnan Sourcing was often recommended as a good
place to buy cheap yixing teapots, but their eBay store is closed and their web site has nothing in stock. I checked out places like Jing Tea Shop, but their teapots are all in the $100+ range...

1. Nothing in stock? I checked and most of them are available:

http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/cat ... ry=8014747

2. Generally speaking don't expect to find quality yixings online for less than that price. Yixings are now a commodity so you get what you pay for. YS pots are OK for the price but after following this topic for the last 8 months I can say the following:

- Their pots are not entirely handmade
- Their clays are not 100% according to what is claimed. Hence zhuni is not real zhuni (otherwise the pot wouldn't be worth $35 but a minimum of several hundred dollars or thousands if mastery is involved) but a mix of varius clays imitating it. Read this info:

http://teamasters.blogspot.com/2006/01/ ... tinct.html

Anyway, YS pots are OK if you don't want to spend too much and expect medium quality..

There are better vendors out there like JTS, Houde (good stuff but overprized), China Flair & Cheng Shouzhen's just to name some.

Good luck.

[Bob_McBob]

1. Nothing in stock? I checked and most of them are available

Yes, I am an idiot and completely missed the whole section of yixing teapots. I did add a note at the end of my post

When you say "less than that price" do you mean the $100 figure I quoted? I've been looking around and thinking about it, and I guess I do not mind spending that kind of money for something I will use and enjoy on a regular basis. I am heavily into making espresso at home and $100 for a teapot is nothing compared to what you spend on that sort of thing

The "good" teapots at Yunnan seem to be in the $50+ range, and considering the price of air shipping, Jing's sub-$150 selection with shipping included is starting to look tempting. There are a couple I have my eye on. I'm also interested in a couple of the xishi pots Cheng Shouzhen is selling (xishi001 and xishi002), but that's getting up to $160 with shipping. Would "Gao Shi Piao" at Jing be a good starting point? Is there anywhere else I should consider? I would love some specific teapot recommendations if you have any.

[TIM]

Cheng Shouzhen is the way to go for a beginner. It will last for a long time and learn a lot from it. Just Like a single lever la Pavoni. Good luck.

[Tead Off]

Cheng Shouzhen is the way to go for a beginner. It will last for a long time and learn a lot from it. Just Like a single lever la Pavoni. Good luck.

Funny, you mention a single lever La Pavoni. This was my 1st espresso machine bought in 1982. I used it for 20 years. One day, I told a knowledgeable friend that I could never acheive the espresso quality and crema of the commercial machines of some of the cafes I used to visit. He recommended I buy a pump action machine and said I would never achieve the flavor and richness with the single lever machine. So, I plunged in and bought a pump action and from the 1st cup that I made, my decision to sell the La Pavoni was made. Not as sexy as the La Pavoni, or as expensive, but, what a cup it made!

[TIM]

Cheng Shouzhen is the way to go for a beginner. It will last for a long time and learn a lot from it. Just Like a single lever la Pavoni. Good luck.

Funny, you mention a single lever La Pavoni. This was my 1st espresso machine bought in 1982. I used it for 20 years. One day, I told a knowledgeable friend that I could never acheive the espresso quality and crema of the commercial machines of some of the cafes I used to visit. He recommended I buy a pump action machine and said I would never achieve the flavor and richness with the single lever machine. So, I plunged in and bought a pump action and from the 1st cup that I made, my decision to sell the La Pavoni was made. Not as sexy as the La Pavoni, or as expensive, but, what a cup it made!

You are too funny Tead. I guess we should have a real Kung-fu session in the future. Making it easier does not make it better I still practicing my single lever action, and I have my whole life ahead to refine it. May the force be with you Sir

[MarshalN]

There's no equivalent to that in tea though -- teapots all work using gravity, no extra force required.

[Bob_McBob]

I guess I will probably go with a teapot from Cheng Shouzhen. I like the idea of buying directly and having a better idea of what you're getting compared to no-name teapots of questionable quality from other sources. I e-mailed them to ask about the capacity of a specific teapot. Are they typically reasonably responsive?

If I want a teapot that will primarily be used for just myself, occasionally one other person, what is a good capacity? I was thinking something like 120-150ml.

Are the sub-$100 teapots at Cheng Shouzhen of similar value compared to the more expensive ones they carry? A lot of them seem to be made by a couple of apprentices -- not necessarily a bad thing.

[bagua7]

Are the sub-$100 teapots at Cheng Shouzhen of similar value compared to the more expensive ones they carry? A lot of them seem to be made by a couple of apprentices -- not necessarily a bad thing.

You just answered yourself this question. To me they are fine...but also they are very basic pots...which is fine with me, other users may disagree with this approach. Each to their own.

[TIM]

I guess I will probably go with a teapot from Cheng Shouzhen. I like the idea of buying directly and having a better idea of what you're getting compared to no-name teapots of questionable quality from other sources. I e-mailed them to ask about the capacity of a specific teapot. Are they typically reasonably responsive?

If I want a teapot that will primarily be used for just myself, occasionally one other person, what is a good capacity? I was thinking something like 120-150ml.

Are the sub-$100 teapots at Cheng Shouzhen of similar value compared to the more expensive ones they carry? A lot of them seem to be made by a couple of apprentices -- not necessarily a bad thing.

If its for max 3 people, I would get the smallest you can from Chen. Perhaps 4 different clay in the same style? 100-120 ml its my vote. Let us know whats the final verdict

[Tead Off]

Cheng Shouzhen is the way to go for a beginner. It will last for a long time and learn a lot from it. Just Like a single lever la Pavoni. Good luck.

Funny, you mention a single lever La Pavoni. This was my 1st espresso machine bought in 1982. I used it for 20 years. One day, I told a knowledgeable friend that I could never acheive the espresso quality and crema of the commercial machines of some of the cafes I used to visit. He recommended I buy a pump action machine and said I would never achieve the flavor and richness with the single lever machine. So, I plunged in and bought a pump action and from the 1st cup that I made, my decision to sell the La Pavoni was made. Not as sexy as the La Pavoni, or as expensive, but, what a cup it made!

You are too funny Tead. I guess we should have a real Kung-fu session in the future. Making it easier does not make it better I still practicing my single lever action, and I have my whole life ahead to refine it. May the force be with you Sir

Gong fu with coffee or tea?

[Tead Off]

If I want a teapot that will primarily be used for just myself, occasionally one other person, what is a good capacity? I was thinking something like 120-150ml.

That's good for most teas, except for Taiwanese oolongs or TGY as these teas expand themselves a lot when they totally open their leaves. In this instance, I would personally would use a 200 to 250mL pot.

Are the sub-$100 teapots at Cheng Shouzhen of similar value compared to the more expensive ones they carry? A lot of them seem to be made by a couple of apprentices -- not necessarily a bad thing.

You just answered yourself this question. To me they are fine...but also they are very basic pots...which is fine with me, other users may disagree with this approach. Each to their own.

100-120ml is perfect for a couple of folks. Use the same ratio of leaves to any pot. If 1/3 full works for 120ml, 1/3 should work for 250ml. It depends how much tea you want to drink. Gong fu style is about smaller.

[entropyembrace]

120ml or less for one or two people.... 200-250ml will start feeling far too big as you learn more.

[Bob_McBob]

I still haven't decided on a specific teapot, but I'll definitely get something from Cheng Shouzhen around 120ml. I'm just having some trouble figuring out which design I prefer. I am also looking for some little 20ml cups, a bamboo serving tray, etc.

That's good for most teas, except for Taiwanese oolongs or TGY as these teas expand themselves a lot when they totally open their leaves. In this instance, I would personally would use a 200 to 250mL pot.

Could you expand on this a bit? I was reading the thread below, which recommends starting with 120ml and 180ml teapots for the same reason. I do drink Taiwan oolongs a fair bit. Wouldn't you use a similar ratio of tea to water irrespective of the teapot size?

http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14442

[wyardley]

It is true that balled teas make it a little bit easier to "stuff the pot", since you can fit them in while they're small, and let them expand later. That said, I don't personally agree with the need for such a big pot (>200 ml) for such a small number of people, regardless of the type of tea used. I think 100-110 ml is good for 3 people, with almost any type (or sane quantity) of leaf. At our tea tastings, 150-250 ml pots are sufficient for a good 8 people, at least.

Also, how much you tend to "stuff the pot", regardless of whether the dry leaf is balled or wiry, will have a big effect on how much space there is left in the pot for water and, eventually, brewed tea.