Buying yixing online

[Poohblah]

Hi guys,
I just realized that yixing (and other teaware, for that matter) is at least 75% less expensive online than at my local tea store. So I am wondering what I can look for online to determine the quality of a yixing pot since I can't pick it up and inspect it.

[IPT]

That's always the biggest problem. It's hard to judge by photos. Your best bet is to find a dealer you think looks credible and then contact them and chat a bit. Also, make sure they have a good return policy. Also check shipping charges, because with the cost of shipping, it might be as much as the shop price.

[tingjunkie]

Unfortunately, without years of study and handling pots, it's impossible to tell almost anything from looking online. There are so many fake and exaggerated pots out there you are almost guaranteed to be in over your head. Please don't take this as me talking down to you... I don't know jack about telling a pots age/quality from pics either.

Your best bet is to purchase a pot from a trusted vendor. At the high end of the price spectrum, you have Tea Gallery, Hou De, Jing, and Essence of Tea (formerly Nada Cha). You can be pretty much guaranteed to get some serious clay from these vendors.

At the entry level, I would go for a pot from Yunnan Sourcing, or Dragon Tea House.

I'm sure others can recommend other vendors as well. Good luck!

[Poohblah]

I think that I'll just buy a yixing from the local tea store instead; I'm willing to pay more to pick up the pot and get help from the very wonderful woman who runs the shop.

actually... nevermind... I'm rather smitten with this pot: http://www.theteagallery.com/Red_Peony_ ... rpeony.htm

[Tead Off]

I think that I'll just buy a yixing from the local tea store instead; I'm willing to pay more to pick up the pot and get help from the very wonderful woman who runs the shop.

actually... nevermind... I'm rather smitten with this pot: http://www.theteagallery.com/Red_Peony_ ... rpeony.htm

While all choices are essentially subjective, when you get to this price level, you should be getting a teapot with very good clay. There may be those who disagree with me, but, duanni is generally considered to not be as good for tea flavor as the red and purple clays. They are interesting in their look and when they are polished, can be stunning. But, all of the tea fanatics I know either don't use this clay or use a duanni pot very rarely or for display. But, again, we all have to decide what's best for us. Good luck.

[steanze]

While all choices are essentially subjective, when you get to this price level, you should be getting a teapot with very good clay.

+1

if that is what you want to spend, I would get a pot from Chen...

by the way, what tea do you want to brew in it?

[Poohblah]

I think that I'll just buy a yixing from the local tea store instead; I'm willing to pay more to pick up the pot and get help from the very wonderful woman who runs the shop.

actually... nevermind... I'm rather smitten with this pot: http://www.theteagallery.com/Red_Peony_ ... rpeony.htm

While all choices are essentially subjective, when you get to this price level, you should be getting a teapot with very good clay. There may be those who disagree with me, but, duanni is generally considered to not be as good for tea flavor as the red and purple clays. They are interesting in their look and when they are polished, can be stunning. But, all of the tea fanatics I know either don't use this clay or use a duanni pot very rarely or for display. But, again, we all have to decide what's best for us. Good luck.

Thanks, that was rather informative.

I'm not sure yet exactly what teas I'll be brewing. It'll probably be pu, though I have yet to develop specific tastes under the broad umbrella of pu-erh.

[Maitre_Tea]

IMO, if you're still figuring out what you like...maybe you should brew with a gaiwan. If you're going to dedicate a pot to a specific tea, I think it should be a tea that you consume regularly, otherwise the pot will just sit there, no matter how nice it looks or how nice the clay is. I don't like duan ni for too many things, as the typically softer clay tends to "round" out the flavors too much, leaving a hollow shell of a tea. I think duan ni could be good with red tea and ripe puerh, though this is all highly dependent on the clay in question

[Poohblah]

IMO, if you're still figuring out what you like...maybe you should brew with a gaiwan. If you're going to dedicate a pot to a specific tea, I think it should be a tea that you consume regularly, otherwise the pot will just sit there, no matter how nice it looks or how nice the clay is. I don't like duan ni for too many things, as the typically softer clay tends to "round" out the flavors too much, leaving a hollow shell of a tea. I think duan ni could be good with red tea and ripe puerh, though this is all highly dependent on the clay in question

That's a very good point. I get really eager sometimes, especially about the aesthetics of traditional tea practices.

[Maitre_Tea]

That's a very good point. I get really eager sometimes, especially about the aesthetics of traditional tea practices.

I suffered from the same eagerness, and my first pots were duan ni (which I thought were really pretty). Within a few weeks I stopped using them completely, and after collecting dust for a while I decided to sell them off.

[gingkoseto]

I didn't know people would think low of duan ni
I guess the most expensive purple clay and red clay may be more expensive than the most expensive duan ni. But since all yixing of various clay types kind of range from $10 to >$10K, there must be a lot of good duan ni teapot at the $100 range or higher.
Besides, good purple clay is not abundant today. Some purple-looking, good, qualified clays are just pin zi ni (mixed purple clay). And there are various levels of red clay. My experience is largely limited within the mid-low price range (<$150). In this price range, I don't think we can assume purple clay and red clay should be more expensive or better than duan ni.

[Tead Off]

I didn't know people would think low of duan ni
I guess the most expensive purple clay and red clay may be more expensive than the most expensive duan ni. But since all yixing of various clay types kind of range from $10 to >$10K, there must be a lot of good duan ni teapot at the $100 range or higher.
Besides, good purple clay is not abundant today. Some purple-looking, good, qualified clays are just pin zi ni (mixed purple clay). And there are various levels of red clay. My experience is largely limited within the mid-low price range (<$150). In this price range, I don't think we can assume purple clay and red clay should be more expensive or better than duan ni.

The natural color is usually indicative of the kinds of minerals the clay has. With reds and purple, the iron content is higher, hence, the effect on tea, like an iron tetsubin.

Some of the most beautiful looking pots I've ever seen are duanni. The color is stunning but I want something that will make good tea not sit on the shelf.

[chrl42]

Duanni is tricky clay, with economic money with unreliable shops, one gets will low-fired low-quality clay made of untrusted sources.

Of course there are many Duanni too, exclusively from Mt. Huanglong, such as Benshan Lvni, Jinhuang (golden) Duanni, Zima Duanni, Jiangponi, Shark's Skin etc..

Duanni is born with tough structure, many Duanni seem to require some 1200c to fire, otherwise the clay will get unexpected blot (tu hei) and stains easily. Duanni with proper firing, is just idle to use too, the clay won't 'round out' flavor too much and earns stains hardly.

[iannon]

ok everyone...dont flame me! but..if you REALLY want a little pot to explore with (and for aesthetics) you could try a cheap one from somewhere like the "chinese teapot gallery" from ebay. they have tons and could be a little starter pot until you decide what you really need/want

[tingjunkie]

The pot from the TG is very nice- I've seen and held it in-person.

I would contact Michael at the Gallery and ask his advice on what type of tea to pair with that pot. He may have more in stock to point you towards as well.