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.
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.TIM wrote:Let us know whats the final verdict
At least that wasn't a particularly expensive lesson. 
With the hunger for Yixing that you have already exhibited - I can only sayBob_McBob wrote: I still have my eye on one or two teapots at JTS. This could get expensive
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]Bob_McBob wrote:
I still have my eye on one or two teapots at JTS. This could get expensive
Well, so much for that, I guess.brandon wrote: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.
I use this one:Bob_McBob wrote: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?
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.Bob_McBob wrote:...and I still don't really have a very good idea of where most people source their teapots.
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.Bob_McBob wrote: 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?
Bob_McBob wrote: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.
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.tingjunkie wrote: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.
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.Herb_Master wrote:Do you mean a 'Tea Boat' ?
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.Bob_McBob wrote: 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
