Looking for a yixing teapot

[bagua7]

Deleted that section of my post, honestly I wasn't thinking when I wrote that. Too impulsive For Taiwanese oolongs and TGY use a round teapot as it will allow the leaves to open up (of course without putting too many leaves as it will make the brew too bitter and heavy). The xishi pot you used as a visual reference in your first post belongs to that round type.

For sheng puerh you need a high-profile pot. Something like this:

[Bob_McBob]

Let us know whats the final verdict

I ended up ordering one of the cheaper apprentice teapots from Cheng Shouzhen to begin with. They don't have a huge selection unless you go up to 150-160ml, so my choices were somewhat limited. I spent a couple days trying to figure out which one I wanted to order, and in the end the little 100ml teapot linked below is the one that spoke to me most, regardless of price. I'm not sure where this style falls in the flat vs. round design range.

http://www.zishateapot.co.uk/chinese-yi ... -p-88.html



I intend to order a Jianming Cheng teapot once I've received the first one. I figured it would be best to get some experience before deciding what style I want next, especially considering their shipping is a flat rate per teapot. I can see I'll eventually end up with at least 4-5 nice teapots dedicated to different teas after doing some reading and looking around at what's available.

You will be pleased to know my $15 (shipped) eBay special is on the way At least that wasn't a particularly expensive lesson.

[Bob_McBob]

I also separately ordered several 100g bags of oolongs and some puerh samples from Yunnan Sourcing, as well as cups, a gaiwan, and one of their cheaper yixing teapots. I'm not sure if I will regret the latter part of the order, but I have read some positive comments about them. Again, not a great loss if it's terrible. I want to see first hand what the difference is as you move up in quality with yixing teapots.



I still have my eye on one or two teapots at JTS. This could get expensive

[Herb_Master]

I still have my eye on one or two teapots at JTS. This could get expensive

With the hunger for Yixing that you have already exhibited - I can only say

"it WILL get expensive "

[Bob_McBob]

Just got a shipping notice from Cheng Shouzhen. I didn't realize they use EMS for the $17 flat rate. My teapot should be here soon. Very exciting

Next I'm going to pick a couple of stores to from which to order a good selection of oolong samples. Probably one specializing in Taiwan oolongs and one with China oolongs. That is for another thread, though.

I haven't ordered one of those bamboo trays yet. From what I gather, the cheap ones tend to spring leaks that require caulking. Does everyone here typically use this sort of thing when brewing gongfu-style? I know from reading blogs some people have pretty utilitarian setups for draining waste water (teapot in sieve over bucket for instance), but it seems to waste a lot of the aesthetic niceties of using such pretty brewing equipment.

[brandon]

I still have my eye on one or two teapots at JTS. This could get expensive

]
I had that pot a few years ago - I gave it away because it managed to have a negative impact on even cooked puerh. A real 'eraser' of a teapot.

[Bob_McBob]

I had that pot a few years ago - I gave it away because it managed to have a negative impact on even cooked puerh. A real 'eraser' of a teapot.

Well, so much for that, I guess.

Is there anywhere other than Cheng Shouzhen, JTS, and possibly China Flair where I can order yixing teapots in the $100-200 price range and be reasonably assured of quality and value? I read the whole "show off your yixing teapots" thread and I still don't really have a very good idea of where most people source their teapots.

[bagua7]

I haven't ordered one of those bamboo trays yet. From what I gather, the cheap ones tend to spring leaks that require caulking. Does everyone here typically use this sort of thing when brewing gongfu-style?

I use this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com.my/Bamboo-Gongfu-Te ... 45ee153886

And a bucket under my table to collect the drained water.

It does the job and I don't need to empty the water all the time...unlike the typical tea trays that have a bottom compartment.

...and I still don't really have a very good idea of where most people source their teapots.

This is a question I asked to myself several times after all these months in TC. Maybe there is a secret network...obviously I haven't been invited to join.

If you ever have the chance to travel to China, then all your problems will be resolved.

Good luck.

[Bob_McBob]

The other sort of thing I've seen is the teapot sitting on a plate set inside a larger bowl. I could obviously jury rig this sort of thing, but I've seen it enough times that there must be purpose-made products of this type. Haven't come across any yet, though.

[tingjunkie]

Is there anywhere other than Cheng Shouzhen, JTS, and possibly China Flair where I can order yixing teapots in the $100-200 price range and be reasonably assured of quality and value?

On the internet? Though I don't have personal experience with their pots, from reputation and from the looks of the teaware, I'd add Essence of Tea and Hou De to the list (though Hou De is probably out of the price range you mentioned). Lately Essence of Tea has added new pots made with vintage clay. They look pretty nice to me.

[Herb_Master]

The other sort of thing I've seen is the teapot sitting on a plate set inside a larger bowl. I could obviously jury rig this sort of thing, but I've seen it enough times that there must be purpose-made products of this type. Haven't come across any yet, though.

Do you mean a 'Tea Boat' ?

Dragon Tea House
http://stores.ebay.com/Dragon-Tea-House ... 34.c0.m322

Zen8Tea
http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Porcelain- ... 588701becb

[Bob_McBob]

On the internet? Though I don't have personal experience with their pots, from reputation and from the looks of the teaware, I'd add Essence of Tea and Hou De to the list (though Hou De is probably out of the price range you mentioned). Lately Essence of Tea has added new pots made with vintage clay. They look pretty nice to me.

This is every place I've come across so far that seems to sell high quality yixing pieces. Some are well beyond the $100-200 range, though.

Essence of Tea
Cheng Shouzhen
Jing Tea Shop
Hou De Asian Art & Fine Tea
China Flair Tea
Tea Masters
The Chinese Tea Shop
Cloudwalker Teas
Shan Shui Teas

Do you mean a 'Tea Boat' ?

Thanks, that's exactly the sort of thing I mean. I am trying to find some slightly prettier ones and not having a whole lot of luck.

[tingjunkie]

This is every place I've come across so far that seems to sell high quality yixing pieces. Some are well beyond the $100-200 range, though.

Essence of Tea
Cheng Shouzhen
Jing Tea Shop
Hou De Asian Art & Fine Tea
China Flair Tea
Tea Masters
The Chinese Tea Shop
Cloudwalker Teas
Shan Shui Teas

Wow! That's what I call due diligence. I've been scouring the net for good Yixing sources for about a year and a half, and you found a couple I didn't know about! Those all look good to me.

[bagua7]

Add master collector pots to that list as well:

http://www.deeho.com/products_teapot.html

And we basically will have a complete list of genuine online Yixing sources, although still small to what it is available in the domestic market.

[Cyphre]

http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/teapots/


I got a couple from here for a reasonable price. Nothing fancy but they do the trick.