Best Yixing Teapot Sellers?

[wyardley]

Do all of you use 1 pot for each flavor of tea? Or just one pot for each type of tea? Or maybe not bothered by which tea you use in your Yixing at all?

Regarding the "one tea, one teapot" theory, I don't buy it. If that were true, you're going to need a lot of teapots.

Well even if the "one tea one pot" type theory is a vendor scam to get people to buy more pots, I find that once you start collecting pots, you seem to end up with quite a lot of them...

Personally, I don't specialize that strictly or at a really fine level of detail, but I do find that I have more teapots than types of tea I want to drink usually. Sometimes the pot I want to use is a wrong size for the number of people I'm making tea for, and that does cause some problems.

[betta]

There's another post about the pot from YLL Sourcing here.
It concludes a good vendor might offer good and bad pots as well. There're many experienced members here who know much more about yixing teapot. Kindly ask their opinions on a particular pot you're interested will save lots of bucks from your side.

[t4texas]

Which vendor and which teapot is right for you depends upon many things, and those many things are rather individual. Is money no object, if it is, then how much do you want to spend on Yixing pots in the next, say, six months to a year? Are you going to brew gongfu style or western style or both? When you refer to tea "flavors" are you refering to categories of tea, specific teas or scented/artificially flavored teas?

I decided to take the cautious-plunge approach. I have gotten about 13 - 14 pots from the Chinese Teapot Gallery on eBay, but I was able to select them in person at their former store rather than on the web. They were inexpensive, but carefully selected. Most are hand-made with molds (half-hand made), one or two were done on a potter's wheel. None were fully hand-made because that would have catapulted them into the $200 plus range. Their stock of good and better pots is very low right now. (Avoid fancy shapes and anything under $12). But I have described in a couple of other topics here how to find on their eBay store their useful traditional shape pots at $12 and up.

I also got one from YSLLC and like it too. I have also gotten tea from Scott and am putting together another order for late this month. But I think scott does not know a lot about Yixing pots and pot making. He depends on his suppliers and ends up describing inexpensive pots as completely hand-made when that iseems highly unlikely. More likely they are half-handmade...which is not bad - it's just what is.

I have used all of them except two, but only one of those might I consider getting rid of. They all brew tea; some better than others, but they all brew tea. Some are larger for western style and some are smaller for gongfu. I have enough that I can brew several categories of tea both gongfu and western. I have learned a lot from this and have spent only about $250. Will I feel the want or need to buy more expensive pots in the future - possibly. But I am reasonably well convinced that to do better than, say, a $60 - $90 pot, I would need to be thinking $200 - $500 and up.

Having said all that, my suggestion would be to pick one category of tea - say green Oolongs and get two pots - one of about 90m - 120 ml for gong fu and one no larger than 250 ml for western style. Consider learning on them and then figuring out what you want to do next. And get a small gaiwan for everything else in the meantime.

(But if you're into flavored tea blends, there are going to be some real complications.)

My 3 cents.

[gingkoseto]

Very nice review guys!

I haven't dealt with any of the listed stores. But a quick question, when people say a pot is good, either >$12 pot of >$30 pot, does it mean the pot is non-slip-cast or the pot may be slip cast but free of crafting problems?

Many of the vendors (except for a few listed above) don't have big photo with detailed texture of their pots on the website. Does it mean they either don't think it's *important* or they don't want to show it?

I don't use yixing pots very often. But I personally think half-hand-made sometimes has the best quality-price ratio. Hand-made ones, no hope to get them within certain price range, and even if price is low, there is some other compromise. Slip cast, if it's not expensive and the material is healthy, it's ok. But nowadays very often it's both over priced and with unhealthy materials.

[Woots]

Right now I've just got a pot for oolongs and puerh. My next one will be for black tea (which still hasn't arrived... hmmm).

I will probably wait a bit and then maybe buy one or two more, after I get a feel for how big of one I want, etc. I think I'll do like Maitre Tea says and split oolongs between greener and roasted, and probably puerh between raw and ripe.

Other more experienced drinkers will probably have some suggestions on other ways to split pot allocation.

In addition to splitting into raw and ripe puerh, I've heard that there should be teapot for young raw puerh and aged raw puerh

Ok thats starting to make sense to be then... very broken down. I know even withing each tea category teas can have (depending on the blend or technique in which its prepared or aged) very different flavors and aromas. I would imagine mashing smokey flavored teas with sweet and light flavored teas would totally clash in the Yixing seasoning process. At the same time 1 pot for each exact blend seems overkill. I will just have to learn my subtle tea classifications (preparation techniques /aromas /flavors) of teas to allocate my yixing pots correctly.

There's another post about the pot from YLL Sourcing here.
It concludes a good vendor might offer good and bad pots as well. There're many experienced members here who know much more about yixing teapot. Kindly ask their opinions on a particular pot you're interested will save lots of bucks from your side.

Wise idea.. I will do that once I am ready to make my first purchase (which should be soon now)

I have learned a lot from this and have spent only about $250. Will I feel the want or need to buy more expensive pots in the future - possibly. But I am reasonably well convinced that to do better than, say, a $60 - $90 pot, I would need to be thinking $200 - $500 and up.

Having said all that, my suggestion would be to pick one category of tea - say green Oolongs and get two pots - one of about 90m - 120 ml for gong fu and one no larger than 250 ml for western style. Consider learning on them and then figuring out what you want to do next. And get a small gaiwan for everything else in the meantime.

(But if you're into flavored tea blends, there are going to be some real complications.)

My 3 cents.

A lot of sound advice here and your right. I think before I go crazy and drop 200 bucks+ on my 1st pot I need to get a decent 50-100 buck pot and learn with that.

I do have one fancy blend of tea I have been hooked on for years (in tea bag form and soon to be full leaf form now) its a mix of white and green tea and other herbs and flavors... I may need to have 1 pot dedicated to that flavor alone... since its so aromatic and intense.

I like the idea of not being wasteful and having an yixing do multiple duties on say (all oolong) will make things cheaper... especially if I need to eventually drop 500 bucks per pot, once I get serious.

======

Last question for to all the Yixing gurus out there. Are there certain tea types that are best for yixing? I have read green teas and white teas shine with a gaiwan (this correct?) ... so does Pu-erh, oolong, black, rooibos shine with yixing?

[Maitre_Tea]

Right now I've just got a pot for oolongs and puerh. My next one will be for black tea (which still hasn't arrived... hmmm).

I will probably wait a bit and then maybe buy one or two more, after I get a feel for how big of one I want, etc. I think I'll do like Maitre Tea says and split oolongs between greener and roasted, and probably puerh between raw and ripe.

Other more experienced drinkers will probably have some suggestions on other ways to split pot allocation.

In addition to splitting into raw and ripe puerh, I've heard that there should be teapot for young raw puerh and aged raw puerh

Ok thats starting to make sense to be then... very broken down. I know even withing each tea category teas can have (depending on the blend or technique in which its prepared or aged) very different flavors and aromas. I would imagine mashing smokey flavored teas with sweet and light flavored teas would totally clash in the Yixing seasoning process. At the same time 1 pot for each exact blend seems overkill. I will just have to learn my subtle tea classifications (preparation techniques /aromas /flavors) of teas to allocate my yixing pots correctly.

I have learned a lot from this and have spent only about $250. Will I feel the want or need to buy more expensive pots in the future - possibly. But I am reasonably well convinced that to do better than, say, a $60 - $90 pot, I would need to be thinking $200 - $500 and up.

Having said all that, my suggestion would be to pick one category of tea - say green Oolongs and get two pots - one of about 90m - 120 ml for gong fu and one no larger than 250 ml for western style. Consider learning on them and then figuring out what you want to do next. And get a small gaiwan for everything else in the meantime.

(But if you're into flavored tea blends, there are going to be some real complications.)

My 3 cents.

A lot of sound advice here and your right. I think before I go crazy and drop 200 bucks+ on my 1st pot I need to get a decent 50-100 buck pot and learn with that.

I do have one fancy blend of tea I have been hooked on for years (in tea bag form and soon to be full leaf form now) its a mix of white and green tea and other herbs and flavors... I may need to have 1 pot dedicated to that flavor alone... since its so aromatic and intense.

I like the idea of not being wasteful and having an yixing do multiple duties on say (all oolong) will make things cheaper... especially if I need to eventually drop 500 bucks per pot, once I get serious.

======

Last question for to all the Yixing gurus out there. Are there certain tea types that are best for yixing? I have read green teas and white teas shine with a gaiwan (this correct?) ... so does Pu-erh, oolong, black, rooibos shine with yixing?

yes, yes, yes, yes, maybe, don't know. I use yixing with my black teas but you can certainly do it with a gaiwan. I don't know about roobios though, I would think that the particles are really fine so you're gonna need an additional strainer if you use a yixing for it

[taitea]

Last question for to all the Yixing gurus out there. Are there certain tea types that are best for yixing? I have read green teas and white teas shine with a gaiwan (this correct?) ... so does Pu-erh, oolong, black, rooibos shine with yixing?

Traditionally puerh and oolongs are done in yixing. Blacks maybe a little less often, but still encouraged, I think. I have never heard of someone doing rooibos in a yixing. Maybe you can experiment, but you definitely can live without it.

[chrl42]

Very nice review guys!

I haven't dealt with any of the listed stores. But a quick question, when people say a pot is good, either >$12 pot of >$30 pot, does it mean the pot is non-slip-cast or the pot may be slip cast but free of crafting problems?

If a pot is around 12~30 USD, it means it's made from studio. If it's slip-cast or wheel-thrown, then it means it's over-priced.

Studio pots are ok, not great. But if you up the priced to 50~80 usd. you can get half hand-made pots by certificated potters that are clay and level of crafting guaranteed.

Think about it, pots are what go with you forever, as long as you drink tea. I never think it's a waste of money.

[chrl42]

Last question for to all the Yixing gurus out there. Are there certain tea types that are best for yixing? I have read green teas and white teas shine with a gaiwan (this correct?) ... so does Pu-erh, oolong, black, rooibos shine with yixing?

Oolongs I think it's best to go with Zhuni. It's what southern Chinese prefer the most. 'Specially with light-oolongs, you don't your tea lose its aroma absorbed to clay-holes.

Puerh seems to be more endurable against losing aroma, just my opinions. Clay is very touchy issue purchasing yixings. If not knowing what to do, Gaiwans are always there..

[gingkoseto]

If a pot is around 12~30 USD, it means it's made from studio. If it's slip-cast or wheel-thrown, then it means it's over-priced.

Studio pots are ok, not great. But if you up the priced to 50~80 usd. you can get half hand-made pots by certificated potters that are clay and level of crafting guaranteed.

Think about it, pots are what go with you forever, as long as you drink tea. I never think it's a waste of money.

$12 or $20 for a non-slip-cast pot with passable material, I would think it's really good price.

I haven't (yet ) built up a strong emotion bond to yixing pots so tend to buy for low price. But you are right, if some day I start to use a yixing pot very often, it had better be a good one.

For a couple of times I bought from the China ebay-like stores recommended by friends. I somewhat feel for $50 range, quality/price ratio is better in China, but the catch is, risk is also bigger, considering the numerous stores in China and amount of fake stuff.

[gingkoseto]

======

Last question for to all the Yixing gurus out there. Are there certain tea types that are best for yixing? I have read green teas and white teas shine with a gaiwan (this correct?) ... so does Pu-erh, oolong, black, rooibos shine with yixing?

Gaiwan was invented for green teas. For some prestigeous green teas, when using lower water temperature, leaves don't think to the bottom, so when sipping the tea, one can use lid of the gaiwan to wave away loose leaves. Similar for white tea. Besides, some white teas need to steep for several minutes, and gaiwan is good for retaining temperature. Even for oolong, many people use gaiwan (or other porcelain) as well, partially because gaiwan has also been traditionally used for oolong, partially because yixing has got more and more expensive nowadays.

[t4texas]

Woots - followup to your questions:

I would suggest that you not use a Yixing for herbal teas and blends. I understand that the white/green plus herbs blend is a favorite of yours, but a Yixing is not needed for that.

Oolongs and Puerhs primarily for Yixing.

It's okay to slow down. There's a lot to enjoy and learn about the teas as well as the pots.

For your first Yixing or two, I would suggest that you not even spend $50 - 100. Spend under $50 each and learn on them. You are at the point that you don't know what you don't know, so what you like and enjoy and want will change pretty quickly once you experience more whole leaf teas of quality. Spend your money on learning about the tea. You can easily figure on $200 + worth of teas to explore during the first 2 - 3 months. and you can figure on $100 + in miscellaneuos teaware and equipment that you will want soon.

Drink a variety of Chinese, Japanese and Indian teas over 3 - 6 months and you'll have a much better idea of where you want to spend your tea pot money. After all we haven't even brought Japanese pots into the discussion and you have said you like green teas. Another way to spend hundreds of dollars on teapots.

[Woots]

You are at the point that you don't know what you don't know, so what you like and enjoy and want will change pretty quickly once you experience more whole leaf teas of quality. Spend your money on learning about the tea. You can easily figure on $200 + worth of teas to explore during the first 2 - 3 months. and you can figure on $100 + in miscellaneuos teaware and equipment that you will want soon.

Drink a variety of Chinese, Japanese and Indian teas over 3 - 6 months and you'll have a much better idea of where you want to spend your tea pot money. After all we haven't even brought Japanese pots into the discussion and you have said you like green teas. Another way to spend hundreds of dollars on teapots.

Well said and good advice. I will do JUST that!

I thank everyone for taking the time to develop this thread. I hope that it will serve new tea hobbyists besides myself in the future. It definitely has been enlightening to me. I knew when I saw this forum on my google searches this was the right community to be involved with to learn about tea.

[odarwin]

i was told that in china back then,
people would have small yi xings as their "toy" and "companion" might be sign of status or something, and they all brew their teas in one pot that will last all day, as the pots will eventually contribute to the tea leaves as time goes by.... and of course tea back then was maybe all good quality ones. one pot one person for a lifetime. but now its different...

i think the key factor in being satisfied with yi xings is the level of experience and exposure you have with it, naturally, you will end up buying lots of low quality ones in the beginning as this comes with the hesitation to buy the more expensive ones because you still dont see the "value" in it.

the real eye opener for me was when i was shown a 20 year old pot, i can tell you that it looks just magnificent, and very imperial. it had a dragon and phoenix on both sides of the pot, and it was simply to die for. the shine you know really "comes from the inside" and its simply stunning. since then i focused my purchases with the aim to have those kinds of pots in the future.

obviously, the only way to achieve that is to buy the better quality clay pots, and use them very often, with nice teas.

-darwin

[t4texas]

i think the key factor in being satisfied with yi xings is the level of experience and exposure you have with it, naturally, you will end up buying lots of low quality ones in the beginning as this comes with the hesitation to buy the more expensive ones because you still dont see the "value" in it.

-darwin

I think for some people it's not seeing the "value" in it, but for others it is knowing they don't know enough and have not seen and handled enough pots to feel like they know what they are doing when they actually would want to spend $200 +++ on an older pot.