Clay teapot with high iron? Iron oxide what is its effect?

[VanFersen]

Searching through the internet I found many types of clays when it comes to teapots but I also stumbled across a high iron contained clay in this case around 6-10% iron oxide. depends of the teapot. I was wondering what's the purpose with the iron inside. Does it have any effect on the tea and if it does what is it? And is such a clay suitable for any type of tea or only some of them?

[Tead Off]

Searching through the internet I found many types of clays when it comes to teapots but I also stumbled across a high iron contained clay in this case around 6-10% iron oxide. depends of the teapot. I was wondering what's the purpose with the iron inside. Does it have any effect on the tea and if it does what is it? And is such a clay suitable for any type of tea or only some of them?

Many Yixing clays contain a high iron content and all Japanese tetsubin (kettles) also contain high iron. In teapots, naturally occurring red clays are high in iron content. When tea is brewed in vessels with high iron, the iron will bring out certain qualities of the tea through its contact with the water. This is considered beneficial.

Tetsubin, which are used to heat water, not to brew teas in, are fired in a way that changes the Fe2 to Fe3 and is called activated iron. Many tetsubin users swear this has a very beneficial effect on water used for brewing tea.

However adding iron oxides into a clay will not produce the same effect that properly fired teawares will have on tea. They won't kill you, but it is predominantly used to enhance the color of clay when fired.

[VanFersen]

So adding iron oxide into the clay doesn't have any effect at all except the coloration of the fired teapot?

[stevorama]

I found this article by kyarazen to be helpful in thinking about this topic.

http://www.kyarazen.com/tea-taste-diffe ... ing-wares/