Suggestions for entry level yixing tea pot.

[Psyck]

I'm looking to buy a couple of yixing teapots; broadly within the following criteria.

Tea: Puerh (one for shou & one for sheng).
Size: 150ml
Price range: $100-150
Shape & style: Something simple, rounded, with no design/engravings.
Shipping destination: India

Please let me know your suggestions.

[Psyck]

Following are some pots I shortlisted based on the above criteria. I would appreciate it if you could let me know whether any of them are worth purchasing (or if you have any alternative suggestions).

Approx. Price Range $100-$150
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-T ... 78975.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Cattle-Y ... 36236.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-Dir ... 24638.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wholesal ... 32944.html

Approx. Price Range $50-$100
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wholesal ... 40294.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-o ... 32896.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shi ... 39093.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/150ML-Yi ... 16251.html

Approx. Price Range $0-$50
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Handmade ... 40436.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-o ... 28286.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-t ... 89540.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Essence- ... 60420.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-arri ... 17938.html

Approx. Price Range $$$ Beyond Budget
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-T ... 88459.html

[steanze]

Hi Psyck,

aliexpress is not a good source for yixing teapots. All the pots you linked are low end, and they are all at the same level so the variation you see in price bears no relation to the quality of the objects. Note for example that the one in your very first link: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-T ... 3&cv=15091
is identical and advertised with the same images as the one in your last link: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Yixing-T ... 8-bm2aeAra

I suggest that you use a gaiwan for now and spend more time looking at the images of pots posted on the forum to practice recognizing the texture of good quality clay. If you want to buy a teapot now, I'd suggest this: https://www.essenceoftea.com/teaware/cl ... eapot.html or this: https://www.essenceoftea.com/teaware/cl ... eapot.html I never got my teapots from EoT but the texture of the clay looks much better than the ones on aliexpress you linked and other members on the forum have their teapots and like them.

I hope this helps!

[alix]

Use Google translator
https://foglidite.wordpress.com/2015/07 ... ay-yixing/

[Psyck]

Yes thanks, I kinda knew Aliexpess was not likely to be the place to buy such stuff (I had to filter a ton of similar duplicate crap to build that list).

My main purpose was to depict the kind of styles/shapes/prices/etc. that I was looking for.

I had looked at EoT's offering in the past, but as they did not have anything close to the 150ml which was my main requirement; I didn't look too closely. I will stick to porcelain/ceramic/glass for now until I find something more suitable.

[javi_sanchez]

I have the second shuiping on this page:

http://www.lifeinteacup.com/teapots

It measures closer to 145ml for me. You may want to check it out. I use mine for youngish sheng and it seems to do just fine.

[Bef]

I would have a look on the factory pots that chawangshop is selling.

http://www.chawangshop.com/index.php/te ... ?limit=all

[Psyck]

Thanks folks. Here is my current shortlist:

http://www.lifeinteacup.com/teapots
(2nd from top of page) Yixing Teapot Di Cao Qing Shui Ping (Yixing No.1 Factory style), $140. product#xppot3
(2nd from bottom of page) Yixing Teapot Red Clay Wen Dan, $89.99. product# pot5

http://www.chawangshop.com/index.php/ho ... 160cc.html

http://china-cha-dao.com/products/yixin ... -160ml-288

http://store.thechineseteashop.com/Yixi ... np-013.htm

http://zishayixing.com/yi-xing-teapot-z ... -shi-150ml

Please let me have your views on these...

[.m.]

hi psyck,
i'd suggest you get a smaller teapot for sheng, cca 100-120ml, the time will come when 150ml will seem way too large
Personally, i'd probably get one of the cheaper pots (~60GBP) from Essence of Tea, i dont think you can go wrong with their pots.

[steanze]

I agree on 100-120ml if you drink mostly alone or with another person, you can drink less and drink better tea. If you are thirsty you can have water 150ml will be good if you drink often in a group of 3-4 people.
Among the pots you shortlisted, they are all a bit expensive for what they are. If I had to pick one I'd go for the one from thechineseteashop, the clay seems ok and I would not want to spend more than $100 for a teapot at this level.

[Psyck]

I understand your points about the sizes. Something around 100ml does have the advantage that I can finish the tea (say 10 steeps) in one day, while I currently drink the tea from 150ml vessels over two days. It is just that I've gotten used to brewing with 150ml and I have no issues with doing it over multiple days. Maybe I'll try 100ml in the future...and the 100ml pot at Essence of Tea does look lovely, so I will likely consider getting it at some point.

For now, I'm tempted to buy this:
http://www.teavivre.com/xi-shi-yixing-clay-teapot/

The reviews were all positive, it looks OK for a 1st pot purchase, & it is not too pricey to worry about either however it works out.

[steanze]

Looks ok I think it's a reasonable first purchase.

[theredbaron]

I understand your points about the sizes. Something around 100ml does have the advantage that I can finish the tea (say 10 steeps) in one day, while I currently drink the tea from 150ml vessels over two days. It is just that I've gotten used to brewing with 150ml and I have no issues with doing it over multiple days.

The issue is not just brewing over several days (which i do not like, also due to possible health issues), it's also a cost and supply factor when you drink rare and expensive teas. Yesterday, for example i drank an semi-aged Banzhang sheng to see how it develops (excellently) in my 80 cc pot for aged sheng the entire day till late night (20+ brews). I want my supply of such rarer teas to last as long as possible.

[Psyck]

Thanks for all the tips folks.

I ordered the Teavivre pot. I plan to use it for sheng samples (certainly not for 'rare and expensive teas' - afterall it is a first yixing purchase).

Now the hunt for pots dedicated to shu, roasted oolong....