Yixing for Wu Yi Oolongs - Hou De or Nada, or zishateapot?

[teashionista]

Hello everyone,

I know there are a lot of threads on this forum about Yixing pots in general, but I'm looking for a pot specifically for Wu Yi oolongs. I know (from TeaChatters) that the shape needs to be somewhat roomy (to accomodate long wiry leaves), and high fired clay is preferred (I might be wrong on this?)...

My parameters are: price range under $120 (I might go up to $150, but would prefer to stay under $100), smaller size (under 130ml), traditional style-- (no bamboo-shaped pots for me)

I am specifically looking at Nada's smaller pear-shaped pot Li Xin, and Hou De's Yi Gong. The first one may be too small (at 70 or 80ml), the latter too big (150ml). Zishateapot's styles are great (and there is a ball-shaped 120ml pot), but I've only seen a couple of reviews on them here. I do apologize for not posting links--I'm a new member.

I would appreciate any comments/feedback on this! And promise to post pictures once I buy one

[TIM]

so to be clear, you would like to dedicate it to Wuyi more roasted kind? Long curl leaves? If so, nothing bigger then 120ml for one person is my recommendation. Thicker wall, flatter body and very important to have a bigger opening (lid). Pear shape might not be a good choice, since fitting the long wirly leaves will be difficult.

For that budget, you could get something very decent for a starting pot.

[MarshalN]

I'd second Tim and say pear shape is probably not the way to go. If anything it should be something flatter with a bigger opening -- which means Hou De's pot is out of the running too because that kind of shape really isn't ideal for Wuyi tea, and it's far too big if you're drinking by yourself.

[TIM]

http://www.nadacha.co.uk/index.php?page ... t&Itemid=1

http://www.nadacha.co.uk/index.php?page ... t&Itemid=1

The second one might be a tad big.... but it depends on what quality wuyi you are getting.
These 2 will be my choice if I am in your shoes? Hope this helps.

[teashionista]

Thank you for your input, TIM and MarshalN! The teapot will be used mostly for 1 or 2 people, exclusively for yancha.

The first pot linked by TIM is actually the one I was looking at. Very attractive . Would it be enough volume for 2? With 2 40ml tasting cups it appears so, but if I stuff the teapot with leaf, would it reduce the volume of tea?

Also, I'm assuming the price difference (the first one is twice as expensive) is attributable to the quality of the clay?

[TIM]

Thank you for your input, TIM and MarshalN! The teapot will be used mostly for 1 or 2 people, exclusively for yancha.

The first pot linked by TIM is actually the one I was looking at. Very attractive . Would it be enough volume for 2? With 2 40ml tasting cups it appears so, but if I stuff the teapot with leaf, would it reduce the volume of tea?

Also, I'm assuming the price difference (the first one is twice as expensive) is attributable to the quality of the clay?

Teashionista- the first one will certainly be enough for 2. I almost always stuff the pot to 3/4 full. IMO, Kung-fuing Yancha is no way near a cheap affair. You stuff a pot with good tea and will produces full cups of good brews. Stuff it with bad tea, will have cups after cups of bad tea. Stuff it half way with decent tea, will be either good nor bad....

I can't speak for Nada, but the first pear one uses better quality clay and made with more love imo

[xuancheng]

I would suggest trying a zhuni for Yancha. I think they do a really good job even when very new.

I got a bunch of new pots in Oct. last year. I got a very nice quality pot of Huanglong Zisha clay mined in the 80's and a rather cheap Zhuni.

It is easier to get a more fragrant brew out of the Zhuni. However, this may change as the pots get older.

[Oni]

What about Houde`s 80`s please drink chinese oolong zisha, is that good for wu yi oolong?

[MarshalN]

I think the issue with Houde's pot is whether or not it's 80s.... and whether it's worth that price or not

[Oni]

How about a ball shaped teapot, like this http://www.nadacha.co.uk/index.php?page ... t&Itemid=1 ,
woul this be good for wu yi?

[teashionista]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! After reading your comments and exchanging a few emails with David, I found a pot (it's on its way from UK)!

I really like the first one TIM linked (80ml, from David's personal collection). But David said he wouldn't recommend it for Wu Yi (he did recommend this pot for sheng pu-erh). And while it's my favorite of them all, at this point I don't drink engough aged sheng to justify the $$ I did appreciate his honest opinion, though, and would definitely consider Nada when I'm ready for another Yixing.

And here is a picture of the one I got. Have a safe trip, dear teapot

[Oni]

What is this Davids personal collection, please add the link so I can check it out.

[teashionista]

What is this Davids personal collection, please add the link so I can check it out.

Oni, I'm a new member, so I can't add links yet. But David had several pots listed as "from his personal collection" on Nada Cha (it's mentioned in the description). I believe all but one are now gone, the one still remaining is the Li Xin (it's among the more expensive pots on the website).

Hope this helps!

[teaskeptic]

I'm still a bit baffled by how some of you are stuffing your pots. 3/4 dry leaf in a *pot* ? I can't get the water in and out quickly enough using a pot. I've gotten this to work well with a gaiwan (although I still prefer staying closer to 1/2), but in a pot my results are still pretty bitter with those quantities.

[TIM]

I'm still a bit baffled by how some of you are stuffing your pots. 3/4 dry leaf in a *pot* ? I can't get the water in and out quickly enough using a pot. I've gotten this to work well with a gaiwan (although I still prefer staying closer to 1/2), but in a pot my results are still pretty bitter with those quantities.

Are you stuffing it with wuyi, tgy or DC?
If you can not get the water out fast enough, perhaps the pour of the pot is not ideal? or the shape is not for a certain oolong? Better quality tea will not be bitter even a tad over brewed, expect DC or any Phoenix.