Im about to buy a Yixing teapot for gung fu brewing. But i'd like to know what the diff is between a good expensive clay yixing vs a average $20 yixing teapot, what are all advantages, how does it possibly have any effect on the brewing process over the cheap ones? what is a good size teapot for Gung Fu?
Plz list all reputation sites that sells good Yixing clay teapots.
Blah..that wasnt the answer i was hoping for.
Im saying what are all the advantage over the cheap ones, does it actually brew tea better? although "i highly doubt it". If not, i really dont see the point of wasting money on a more expensive pot when the cheaper ones can get the job done just as well.
Im saying what are all the advantage over the cheap ones, does it actually brew tea better? although "i highly doubt it". If not, i really dont see the point of wasting money on a more expensive pot when the cheaper ones can get the job done just as well.
Mar 18th, '09, 09:20
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I don't think "wasting money" would be the right way to put it. 
Some like original paintings... some are okay with buying reprints.
If you are the latter kind of person... go for the cheap one. If all you want to do is make tea it doesn't really matter what kind you get. Shoot, use a mason jar, those are mere pennies.
But seriously, you'll be fine with a cheaper one.
Some like original paintings... some are okay with buying reprints.If you are the latter kind of person... go for the cheap one. If all you want to do is make tea it doesn't really matter what kind you get. Shoot, use a mason jar, those are mere pennies.
But seriously, you'll be fine with a cheaper one.
Mar 18th, '09, 10:45
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Simply stated, a finer pot makes a total difference.
First of all, better clay makes better tea. Unfortnately, many of the mines which contain good clay are now depleted or will be depleted soon. As a consequence, any pot which is made of good quality clay will cost you more than 20USD.
Better clays are more porous and tender. Although the way it was kilned also to some degree will affect this. As a result, the seasoning of a pot is greatly enhanced. Secondly, better clays do have mineral contents which are different that cheaper stuffs and therefore differenct qualities produce different chemical reactions, although I am not as astute on how this process actually works.
Better pots are generally fired at a much higher temp resulting in pots which are less likely to release raw clay odors in tea.
Note: Just because it cost more does not mean it is made of quality clay. There are many varibles which account for price e.g. artist, and artistry (although it is unlikely that a well known artist will use cheaper clays). I personally like less artisitc and more functionable designs. I would recommend buying something older atleast 20y old from a reputable vendor. The older the pot, the better "chance" that it will be made of more quality clay.
The only thing I can suggests is to try it yourself. Brew a pot in a cheaper pot and compare it to brewed tea that was made in a better quality pot. You SHOULD find that the tea is much smoother, better mouth feel and sensations and much more bright.
Its best to invest as much as you can from the get go. First, if you buy cheaper pots and later learn more about tea, chances are you will buy a finer pot later. Secondly, it is much easier to resale your higher quality pot even for a profit than your run of the mill crappy zisha pot if need be.
First of all, better clay makes better tea. Unfortnately, many of the mines which contain good clay are now depleted or will be depleted soon. As a consequence, any pot which is made of good quality clay will cost you more than 20USD.
Better clays are more porous and tender. Although the way it was kilned also to some degree will affect this. As a result, the seasoning of a pot is greatly enhanced. Secondly, better clays do have mineral contents which are different that cheaper stuffs and therefore differenct qualities produce different chemical reactions, although I am not as astute on how this process actually works.
Better pots are generally fired at a much higher temp resulting in pots which are less likely to release raw clay odors in tea.
Note: Just because it cost more does not mean it is made of quality clay. There are many varibles which account for price e.g. artist, and artistry (although it is unlikely that a well known artist will use cheaper clays). I personally like less artisitc and more functionable designs. I would recommend buying something older atleast 20y old from a reputable vendor. The older the pot, the better "chance" that it will be made of more quality clay.
The only thing I can suggests is to try it yourself. Brew a pot in a cheaper pot and compare it to brewed tea that was made in a better quality pot. You SHOULD find that the tea is much smoother, better mouth feel and sensations and much more bright.
Its best to invest as much as you can from the get go. First, if you buy cheaper pots and later learn more about tea, chances are you will buy a finer pot later. Secondly, it is much easier to resale your higher quality pot even for a profit than your run of the mill crappy zisha pot if need be.
frist, the diffrent clay , the good clay is Non-renewable resources， the really clay is very expensive. only exist in hanglong moutain, ding shan town, yixing.Some varieties of purple clay mining has become extinct. if your teapot price bellow $20 is of course not a really yixing teapot.
sencond, the diffrent work, Well apart from Clay,yixing teapot also pay attention to work, that is, the level of their skills. A good yixing teapot, it is necessary to correct the shape of symmetry.Mouth,spouts and Handles must be on the same line. a good work teapot using best clay' price is more than $40
third, the diffrent aritst. some good artist do the great work, they have the brand in china ineed the world and have alot of awords, the teapot have good collection value. for example , cheng jianming, wan xiaofang etc.
forth,The concept of subject matter. some good size was like by many people, for example, drop ball teapot, Antique teapot, Pumpkin teapot etc.
sencond, the diffrent work, Well apart from Clay,yixing teapot also pay attention to work, that is, the level of their skills. A good yixing teapot, it is necessary to correct the shape of symmetry.Mouth,spouts and Handles must be on the same line. a good work teapot using best clay' price is more than $40
third, the diffrent aritst. some good artist do the great work, they have the brand in china ineed the world and have alot of awords, the teapot have good collection value. for example , cheng jianming, wan xiaofang etc.
forth,The concept of subject matter. some good size was like by many people, for example, drop ball teapot, Antique teapot, Pumpkin teapot etc.
Although i still havn't own a Yixing pot yet and you seem to be very knowledgeable, it's alittle hard to believe that finer clay pot make better tea, have you taste the 2 between cheap vs expensive yixing pot using gung fu style and the same type of tea before?hop_goblin wrote:Simply stated, a finer pot makes a total difference.
First of all, better clay makes better tea. Unfortnately, many of the mines which contain good clay are now depleted or will be depleted soon. As a consequence, any pot which is made of good quality clay will cost you more than 20USD.
Better clays are more porous and tender. Although the way it was kilned also to some degree will affect this. As a result, the seasoning of a pot is greatly enhanced. Secondly, better clays do have mineral contents which are different that cheaper stuffs and therefore differenct qualities produce different chemical reactions, although I am not as astute on how this process actually works.
Better pots are generally fired at a much higher temp resulting in pots which are less likely to release raw clay odors in tea.
Note: Just because it cost more does not mean it is made of quality clay. There are many varibles which account for price e.g. artist, and artistry (although it is unlikely that a well known artist will use cheaper clays). I personally like less artisitc and more functionable designs. I would recommend buying something older atleast 20y old from a reputable vendor. The older the pot, the better "chance" that it will be made of more quality clay.
The only thing I can suggests is to try it yourself. Brew a pot in a cheaper pot and compare it to brewed tea that was made in a better quality pot. You SHOULD find that the tea is much smoother, better mouth feel and sensations and much more bright.
Its best to invest as much as you can from the get go. First, if you buy cheaper pots and later learn more about tea, chances are you will buy a finer pot later. Secondly, it is much easier to resale your higher quality pot even for a profit than your run of the mill crappy zisha pot if need be.
why are the mines depleting?
why would anyone buy a 20+ year old yixing pot? are you referring to new or old pot? if it's new then i dont mind, but if it's old and used for 20 years then it's most likely used with more than 1 type of tea in that pot.
Mar 23rd, '09, 02:40
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Granted, I've never tried tea brewed in an authenticated "genuine" (and costly) yixing pot, but I find it very difficult to believe that only a single kind of clay is the best, or makes a true discernable difference in every case.
The best argument for buying an "authentic" yixing (zisha or zhuni, etc) teapot is if you are a traditionalist and a purist, and simply wish to have your masterpiece immediately. Otherwise, there are 1000s of different clays and mixes to choose from, each having their own unique qualities that will impact or enhance the teas you drink. And even within each clay type, the way the pot was produced - the shape, how much the clay was worked, the temp it fired to - all of these things and more can affect your tea. I have 6 "yixing" clay pots in the $15-40 range, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Would my tea be better if I brewed it in an authenticated zisha pot? Perhaps. It would certainly be different, because that clay has different properties than the pot I'm using. Just as my tea is different if I brew in glass, or fine porcelain, or glazed ceramic. Or if I use a pot or a gaiwan.
My personal and subjective opinion is that you should buy a pot that is the right size, and of reasonably good construction. If you can buy it in person, all the better, since you can feel it for balance and workmanship. In some shops you can even test the pour, and smell the damp pot before you commit to a purchase. And you can do all of this and accomplish acquiring a good and serviceable pot for $20-30.
Someday, if and when you are already a connoisseur, is the time to purchase the masterpiece, if it still appeals to you.
The best argument for buying an "authentic" yixing (zisha or zhuni, etc) teapot is if you are a traditionalist and a purist, and simply wish to have your masterpiece immediately. Otherwise, there are 1000s of different clays and mixes to choose from, each having their own unique qualities that will impact or enhance the teas you drink. And even within each clay type, the way the pot was produced - the shape, how much the clay was worked, the temp it fired to - all of these things and more can affect your tea. I have 6 "yixing" clay pots in the $15-40 range, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Would my tea be better if I brewed it in an authenticated zisha pot? Perhaps. It would certainly be different, because that clay has different properties than the pot I'm using. Just as my tea is different if I brew in glass, or fine porcelain, or glazed ceramic. Or if I use a pot or a gaiwan.
My personal and subjective opinion is that you should buy a pot that is the right size, and of reasonably good construction. If you can buy it in person, all the better, since you can feel it for balance and workmanship. In some shops you can even test the pour, and smell the damp pot before you commit to a purchase. And you can do all of this and accomplish acquiring a good and serviceable pot for $20-30.
Someday, if and when you are already a connoisseur, is the time to purchase the masterpiece, if it still appeals to you.
Merely the purchase of a Yixing pot requires a certain level of intense interest, I think, so I can understand the OP's skepticism that a clay pot can bestow certain qualities to the tea. There are many, many, many variables in the brewing of a pot of tea, not the least of which is the pot. That means tea can taste different from the same pot, depending on temperature, amount of tea used etc.
Still, if you think you have enough experience to taste what the un-initiated would call "subtleties" then it would behoove you to invest in a proper Yixing.
Still, if you think you have enough experience to taste what the un-initiated would call "subtleties" then it would behoove you to invest in a proper Yixing.
Mar 26th, '09, 18:36
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I'm not sure I agree with this. A cheap but functional pot might be a good starter pot. If you go for occasional gong fu it will probably do fine, if it doesn't suit then all you've dropped is $20, if you become obsessed it becomes an ideal gift to encourage others or for cleaning experiments. There's also little chance of feeling you've been robbed if you go to sell it and find out you've been had, even experienced yixing users tend to be wary of internet purchases so I wouldn't encourage a newbie to spend as much as they can on a 20 year old pot off the internet. Yes you may be able to recoup money if you buy an expensive pot and decide gongfu is not for you but you'll probably drop at least $20 anyway.hop_goblin wrote:Its best to invest as much as you can from the get go. First, if you buy cheaper pots and later learn more about tea, chances are you will buy a finer pot later. Secondly, it is much easier to resale your higher quality pot even for a profit than your run of the mill crappy zisha pot if need be.
I would recommend playing around with a few cheaper pots to get a feel for them before shelling out on something too valuable but as with most things, ymmv.
Mar 26th, '09, 18:57
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I agree with Shogun89 here. I'd say that there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to buy a good pot to start with. My suggestion is always to first buy a gaiwan, and worry about pots later. You will always do something stupid with your first pot -- I know I did, and I know almost everybody else who drinks tea seriously did the same thing. Cheap gaiwan is the way to go for newbies.
Secondly, if you are buying your first yixing, chances are you have no idea what to look for, and will most likely end up with something not very good anyway. It does NOT matter what other people tell you is good or not. The only thing that actually matters is whether you like the pot or not. I know far too many people who bought teapots because somebody else told them "this is fantastic clay" or "this is really old" or "this is made by a famous master". For the most part, these claims are completely and utterly unverifiable. The amount of fake pots on the market far outstrips real ones, and sinking a lot of money into a vintage or master made pot when you haven't even used one before is a really, really good way to waste a lot of money.
Third, it depends a lot on the kind of tea you drink and what kind of a tea drinker you are. That determines what kinds of pots work best for you, and what you will feel most comfortable using. You won't figure this out until at least a few pots into your yixings, so again, buying an expensive one at the very beginning sounds like a bad idea.
Secondly, if you are buying your first yixing, chances are you have no idea what to look for, and will most likely end up with something not very good anyway. It does NOT matter what other people tell you is good or not. The only thing that actually matters is whether you like the pot or not. I know far too many people who bought teapots because somebody else told them "this is fantastic clay" or "this is really old" or "this is made by a famous master". For the most part, these claims are completely and utterly unverifiable. The amount of fake pots on the market far outstrips real ones, and sinking a lot of money into a vintage or master made pot when you haven't even used one before is a really, really good way to waste a lot of money.
Third, it depends a lot on the kind of tea you drink and what kind of a tea drinker you are. That determines what kinds of pots work best for you, and what you will feel most comfortable using. You won't figure this out until at least a few pots into your yixings, so again, buying an expensive one at the very beginning sounds like a bad idea.
