Yixing advice for beginners

[bagua7]

I already have one yixing but I feel its quality is medium to low. Paid $60 to a local merchant. After doing some research on the topic, I came across the following info:

1. Tap the pots lightly together: the ceramic should make a distinctly metallic sound.

Mine does. Pass

2. Look at the fit of the lid into the pot, it should be flush and appear seamless.

Mine does. Pass


3. Fill the pot with water, place the lid on, and begin pouring the water. it should pour smoothly.

Mine does until the leaves start clogging the spout. Pass (I guess)


4. While pouring, place your finger over the hole on the lid, this action should stop the flow of water immediately and completely if the lid is well fitted.

Mine doesn't. Fail

.....................

Well, lesson learnt. It's the ony way we humans do it, from our own mistakes.

Luckily I didn't spend $300 on it.

Now, my question:

How do I judge this before proceeding with an online purchase? I mean, how will I know my future purchase will pass the test.

I am all ears.

Thanks for your advice.

[Tead Off]

There is already a lot of information on teachat about yixing and the various opinions of users and collectors. I suggest you do a search and start reading. I can only say it is impossible to understand this topic by reading alone. You have to immerse yourself into its world by handling, using, and, spending your money on much more than 1 or 2 pots. There are so many different clays, shapes, and, other variables that enter this picture. Even when you think you understand, something will come along and blow that understanding up. Then, there are the different reasons for buying. Some want to collect, some want to drink from them. This division brings different sets of criteria into the picture. Good luck.

[tingjunkie]

I completely agree with what Tead Off wrote.

Also, don't take the "stops pouring" test as a definitive judge of teapot quality. Teapots from the 80's and before often don't pass this test just because the lids were generally looser fitting back then, and after years of use, they get looser still.

Nowadays, many pot makers have taken to making the lids a tiny bit bigger than the opening on purpose, then grinding them down so that they will fit perfectly. I have a couple modern $25-$30 pots which stop pouring immediately without the slightest drip when the vent hole is covered, but the clay is mediocre at best.

[tingjunkie]

How do I judge this before proceeding with an online purchase? I mean, how will I know my future purchase will pass the test.

Sorry, but you won't. Buying online is pretty much a crap shoot or worse. The best you can do is stick to the most trusted and respected vendors, email them with any questions about the pot, and be prepared to pay for quality.

[bagua7]

Thanks for the advice, but I was aware of this enormous task. Chinese tea culture is as old as Taoist philosophy with all its intricacies, wisdom and depth . I just wanted to hear your opinions, anyway.

I will search carefully this site looking for the required info, which probably will keep me busy for the following months.

Tingjunk, one more thing, mind to list some of the most trusted and respected vendors in the yixing arena which happen to do eBusiness.

Thanks again.

[Tead Off]

Actually, Taoism is much simpler.

[Ambrose]

To me its all about the way the tea tastes out of it. I have two pots and although not absolute "perfect" They actually are very perfect for what I use them for. It also depends on the tea being brewed in it. My pots are used for sheng, and I paid about $50-60 a pot

[britt]

I already have one yixing but I feel its quality is medium to low. Paid $60 to a local merchant. After doing some research on the topic, I came across the following info:

1. Tap the pots lightly together: the ceramic should make a distinctly metallic sound.

Mine does. Pass

2. Look at the fit of the lid into the pot, it should be flush and appear seamless.

Mine does. Pass

3. Fill the pot with water, place the lid on, and begin pouring the water. it should pour smoothly.

Mine does until the leaves start clogging the spout. Pass (I guess)

4. While pouring, place your finger over the hole on the lid, this action should stop the flow of water immediately and completely if the lid is well fitted.

Mine doesn't. Fail

.....................

Well, lesson learnt. It's the ony way we humans do it, from our own mistakes.

Luckily I didn't spend $300 on it.

Now, my question:

How do I judge this before proceeding with an online purchase? I mean, how will I know my future purchase will pass the test.

I am all ears.

Thanks for your advice.

I think your time may be better spent looking at the size, shape, type of clay and which of the variations best suit brewing your particular teas in them. I would also consider safety issues as well as their are many rip-off Yixings out there. Then purchase from a reputable vendor like Jing Tea Shop or Hou De Asian. I let them do most of the work for me. Don't expect low prices from these vendors, though. They start around $75 and go up in price very quickly from there.

[tingjunkie]

Tingjunk, one more thing, mind to list some of the most trusted and respected vendors in the yixing arena which happen to do eBusiness.

My trusted vendor list would include:
Hou De
Jing
Shouzhen Zisha Teapot Co. (aka Chen's)
The Tea Galley also sells fantastic pots, but you'd have to call or email to find out what they currently have.
The Essence of Tea though lately their selection has been small, and their prices quite high.

The above are all in the higher range in both quality and price. If you are looking for more entry level to get your feet wet, I'd recommend Yunnan Sourcing, or Dragon Tea House.

[TeaDragon]

This is a great thread (especially recommended vendors). While I'm not worried about the plastic chemicals scare (bit too late for me there), one thing I do often ponder is the safety of materials brought into the US from other countries that may not have the same level of quality/safety controls.

For instance: I'm assuming here that if I purchase a YiXing teapot from a US company like Adagio or TeaVana that I'm reasonably protected by the company checking that the wares they're selling don't contain lead. But, if I want to purchase YiXing from Dragon Tea House on eBay, which is based in China, do they make sure their teapots don't contain lead or other chemicals?

Yah, I'm a noob. After the big pet food/toothpaste/various imported items scares in the past five years I'm a bit more cautious these days.

[IPT]

I don't blame you for being cautious. Authentic Zisha contains no lead, but you definately pay for it. Cheaper Zisha teapots usually contain other clays and that is where the problems come in.

[tingjunkie]

For instance: I'm assuming here that if I purchase a YiXing teapot from a US company like Adagio or TeaVana that I'm reasonably protected by the company checking that the wares they're selling don't contain lead.

Errr... think again. Chances are any American company which does not specialize in Chinese tea and teaware likely doesn't know the first thing about sourcing good Yixing pots. I especially doubt they would go out of their way to pay for expensive lab tests to sell $20 pots.

It's not so much lead that you'd have to worry about with Yixing, but more likely it's oxide powders (iron, copper, cobalt, manganese, etc) used to color the pots. For less expensive pots (Dragon Tea House and Yunnan Sourcing range) I'd suggest sticking with Zini (purple) or Hongni (red) clay. Any real and authentic Zhuni (red-orange), Heini (black), Duanni (yellow), Luni (green), or Da Hong Pao (crimson) clays will probably not be offered at this price point, and should therefore be avoided.

[IPT]

Tingjunkie is absolutely correct.

[britt]

For instance: I'm assuming here that if I purchase a YiXing teapot from a US company like Adagio or TeaVana that I'm reasonably protected by the company checking that the wares they're selling don't contain lead.

Errr... think again. Chances are any American company which does not specialize in Chinese tea and teaware likely doesn't know the first thing about sourcing good Yixing pots. I especially doubt they would go out of their way to pay for expensive lab tests to sell $20 pots.

I think some US vendors mean well but just don't understand the complexity of the subject. I had questions for one vendor about where they source their "Yixings" after suspecting something was wrong. The tea took on a strange taste when brewed in their "Yixings." They said they bought them from local fleemarkets in China and resold them here. The answer was honest but not satisfactory to me. That's when I realized good deals aren't always good deals, and I started purchasing Yixings from Hou De and Jing Tea Shop. Safety and authenticity can command a higher price, but I feel it's worth it.

[wyardley]

There was a recent scandal (end of May, IIRC) in China called zishagate (紫砂門); while it mostly had to do with additives in red clay used for slow cookers and herb cookers, it seems likely that the same practices happen with at least some pots.