What is this pot best for?

[beachape]

Hi,

I don't know much about yixing pots, so I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about this pot. It is a pretty cheap pot 88RMB (about $13USD) that I bought from taobao (Chinese ebay). I am wondering what teas I can use with this pot with success. I've read in some other posts that there are certain varieties of clay and shapes of pots that better serve different teas. Let me know what you think. I have the link below (which is in Chinese) with a google translation below.

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_det ... 0db6db.htm

[Yixing authentic products】 【紫砂壶: antiquata (Yanglin system)

Name:紫砂壶- antiquata (with certificate)

Size: 12cm * high-7.5cm long

Capacity: about 170ml

Origin: Yixing

Authors: Yang Lin (craft artist)

About the author: Lin, craft artist, youth ceramics, pottery Association of Jiangsu Province, China Arts and Crafts Society. Family was born in Yixing, a child that is nurtured by the arts pot. Since 1998 engaged in learning the traditional techniques of hand-purple, the school learning into the central United States Secretary of ceramic-based modeling. Modeling ancient works, ancient abundant, fine and delicate, full of lively atmosphere of nature and human life, there is no lack of new ideas and solemn, generous and very open-minded masculinity.

[MarshalN]

Light fired oolong, the fisted ball stuff

[teashionista]

there is no lack of new ideas and solemn, generous and very open-minded masculinity.

Hmm... I read somewhere (was it 7 cups website??) that round shape embodies the feminine? Does solemn, generous and very open-minded masculinity manifest itself in most feminine shapes??

But on a serious note--great little tepot, beachape! I've always liked this shape. From my (very limited) knowledge about Yixing pots, ball-shaped pots are best suited for tightly rolled oolongs (Tie Guan Yin, Dong Ding, etc.) You might want to experiment with it and try it for different types of tea to see what would suit it best--teapots have their own personality

[beachape]

Thanks for the replies. Some more questions

Are there any good websites or threads that explain using different clay types and pot styles for different teas?

While I know it is best to use glass for brewing green teas, are there any green teas that would work well in a pot like this?

Can you "recharge" an yixing pot to use with a new type of tea by scrubbing the inside and boiling it? Or will it still maintain the flavors of the old tea?

[zicheng]

Hmm... I read somewhere (was it 7 cups website??) that round shape embodies the feminine?

Maybe that was a euphemism. This shape is called Xishi, named after the most famous beauty in all of ancient China, and what I've heard is that the shape is modeled after her breast. Don't ask me which one.

The teapot looks good for the price.

[beachape]

Ha, now that you mention it...I see the resemblance. Thanks for the info.

[Tead Off]

While I know it is best to use glass for brewing green teas, are there any green teas that would work well in a pot like this?

Can you "recharge" an yixing pot to use with a new type of tea by scrubbing the inside and boiling it? Or will it still maintain the flavors of the old tea?

IMO, it is not best to use glass for green tea. Purple clay pots are often preferred because their iron content changes the water for the better. Not all purple clay pots. Mostly Yixing purple clay and Japanese Banko ware. You should look around this forum for more info. Plenty of info on clays and why one is better than another. Glass is one of the least desirable brewing vessels for tea.

You can rehabilitate a pot for use with another tea but it depends on its crime.

[teaskeptic]

IMO, it is not best to use glass for green tea. Purple clay pots are often preferred because their iron content changes the water for the better.

I don't think you'll find many people that agree with this.

[heavydoom]

IMO, it is not best to use glass for green tea. Purple clay pots are often preferred because their iron content changes the water for the better.

I don't think you'll find many people that agree with this.

hey skeptic,

the quote is proof of why so many posters that used to post on this forum don't post anymore.

[Tead Off]

IMO, it is not best to use glass for green tea. Purple clay pots are often preferred because their iron content changes the water for the better.

I don't think you'll find many people that agree with this.

hey skeptic,

the quote is proof of why so many posters that used to post on this forum don't post anymore.

Do you mean my opinion is worthless or that you disagree with it? Side by side testing is what I base my opinion on. But, it remains my opinion and I don't feel the need to change your mind or anyone else's.

[beachape]

Thanks for the replies. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and preferences. I think I am going to stick with glass and porcelain for my greens just because I prefer the pure green taste and don't need any absorption/release from the pot.

After reading more yixing posts, I am confused as many must be. I don't need a high quality yixing pot from a famous artist...and that's why I bought a cheap one. However, for the pot I purchased do you think there is a concern for contaminants? At this price I'm not sure of the quality of the clay. I don't care if it is "best" for tea, so much as I'm concerned about lead and other contaminants. Aren't there tests for lead that they use on kid's toys etc?

What do you guys think? (I know that I am a million times more likely to get hit by a car than get lead poisoning, but I'm still curious).

[heavydoom]

just saying : don't believe everything you hear/read on the internet. we have many many self proclaimed tea messiahs on it.

[Chip]

Coming in a bit late here.

I used a Yixing for nothing but Long Jing for a looong time with no improvement in taste.

One day I just broke out a porcelain gaiwan and had the best cup of LJ I had had in a loooong time. I discontinued using the Yixing immediately and now only brew Chinese greens (and white) in either porcelain or glass.

It seemed the Yixing took something away from the green LJ and never ever gave it back after time.

From the Mod: Of course everyone is entitled to an opinion, but please endeavor to not personalize it.

[Chip]

What do you guys think? (I know that I am a million times more likely to get hit by a car than get lead poisoning, but I'm still curious).

LOL, Yixing confuses the heck out of me too. Perhaps this is why I am watching the Yixing topics from the sidelines. I am as confused as anybody.

[chamekke]

And I am confused too.

Which is why I would like to repeat beachape's question:

Are there any good websites or threads that explain using different clay types and pot styles for different teas?

(I'd love it if someone could point me to a pictorial guide - e.g. picture of round pot next to photo of light fired "fisted ball" oolong, picture of flat pot next to photo of - whatever, a big flat-leafed high fired oolong?)