What do you think of this pot?

[TokyoB]

David said that this pot has great workmanship and good quality clay. However I can't decide if I like this shape. What type of tea do you think it would be good for?

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

(Ooops....forgot to post the link the first time. Need to use that Preview function!)

[heavydoom]

i think that this pot is opaque.

[chingwa]

is this some kind of zen koan? "what is the quality of the invisible teapot...?"

[heavydoom]

the pot looks very sexy!

[teashionista]

I bought a pot from him this morning. We're keeping NadaCha in business

I was specifially looking for a pot for Wu Yi oolongs, and David recommended two pots (of which one was the one you're looking at).

[gingkoseto]

I like this one very much! I have another one with similar texture (high fire modern zhuyi thin wall small pot big mouth) and like it very much. But mine is not from a famous maker as this one. Mine has a ball-shaped strainer. I mainly use it for dan cong. But it doesn't seem that much porous, so I occasionally use it for other teas too.

[Tead Off]

David said that this pot has great workmanship and good quality clay. However I can't decide if I like this shape. What type of tea do you think it would be good for?

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

(Ooops....forgot to post the link the first time. Need to use that Preview function!)

IMO, this is a pot better used for rolled oolongs, not Wuyi oolongs. Of course, you can use it for Wuyi, but, most Wuyi are long, twisted leaves and need a wider pot, lower pot. This one looks fine for TGY and Taiwan Oolongs.

I think if you're going to buy a modern pot, one made by a known master would be the way to go.

[shogun89]

nice. . . .

[Cinnabar Red]

interesting pot

[swozt]

http://www.terebess.hu/english/yixing1a.html

See if you can locate the Artist name in the blog above. Of course there are other sources, but I use the above link for a quick search.

First, teapots made by artist are never that price range. You can see the blog above too for a price guide.

Secondly, Zhuni is a very rare clay that has been supposedly extinct for 30 years or more. If it really is Zhuni, the teapot will command more than that price. I am sure retailers know that too.

While 66 pounds is a decent sum to pay for a teapot, that price should not be able to get you a teapot made by a Famous teapot master and made of Zhuni.

Then again, there are tea drinkers and teapot collectors. If you are just using it to brew tea, you dont need one made by an artist or made of rare zhuni.

This is just my own word of caution to buyers. Hope that helps.

[gingkoseto]

I currently can't afford a 66 pounds teapot. But during my "window shopping" (:P) when I first saw this teapot by Kuai Liangrong, I did a quick check about price list of this maker. I don't know much about this maker, but it seems 66 pounds is a price consistent with this person's price range, and I think, a very reasonable price for western market.

[Tead Off]

http://www.terebess.hu/english/yixing1a.html

First, teapots made by artist are never that price range. You can see the blog above too for a price guide.

Secondly, Zhuni is a very rare clay that has been supposedly extinct for 30 years or more. If it really is Zhuni, the teapot will command more than that price. I am sure retailers know that too.

While 66 pounds is a decent sum to pay for a teapot, that price should not be able to get you a teapot made by a Famous teapot master and made of Zhuni.

Then again, there are tea drinkers and teapot collectors. If you are just using it to brew tea, you dont need one made by an artist or made of rare zhuni.

This is just my own word of caution to buyers. Hope that helps.

The link you provided is indispensable for understanding the field of Yixing pottery. In prior posts, I have mentioned the difficulty of identifying zhuni clay to the layperson, which I am one of, and the necessity of 'trusting' a teacher/guide to help make decisions. While I am not a collector and will not spend $1800 (see a prior post of mine regarding a zhuni pot I tasted from) on a pot, I am interested in a good cup of tea. Part of the appeal of zhuni is the superiority of its tea brewing qualities (high iron 14-20%), not only it's rarity.

Like you, I have to question any pot called zhuni and sold for a couple of hundred dollars or less. But, I think what is called zhuni today is simply a mix of the hoarded clay with other clays or additives, keeping the original color red, and, marketed under this tag.

What kind of clay do you like for your own brewing tastes that can be bought for a 'reasonable' price these days?

[swozt]

The link you provided is indispensable for understanding the field of Yixing pottery. In prior posts, I have mentioned the difficulty of identifying zhuni clay to the layperson, which I am one of, and the necessity of 'trusting' a teacher/guide to help make decisions. While I am not a collector and will not spend $1800 (see a prior post of mine regarding a zhuni pot I tasted from) on a pot, I am interested in a good cup of tea. Part of the appeal of zhuni is the superiority of its tea brewing qualities (high iron 14-20%), not only it's rarity.

Like you, I have to question any pot called zhuni and sold for a couple of hundred dollars or less. But, I think what is called zhuni today is simply a mix of the hoarded clay with other clays or additives, keeping the original color red, and, marketed under this tag.

What kind of clay do you like for your own brewing tastes that can be bought for a 'reasonable' price these days?

Hi Teadoff,

I am not sure if I am in a position to advice you because I am working in Macau and have a good local teashop to provide me hands on and face to face advice as well as other teashops to visit in Hong Kong to allow me greater exposure.

However, I do think that Chen who is the daughter of a Yixing artist does seem pretty reliable. Price wise, I think it is also reasonable. I am not related to her in any way, but I do find what she has available very decent for the price.

I think Zhuni may be over hyped due to its rarity, and few can verify its superior brewing ability as compared to Zisha. So for me, I still highly a good Zisha teapot for brewing chinese tea.

Let Chen know what tea you will be brewing with the teapot and I believe she can provide you advice as to the kind of clay and shape to suit your tea needs best.

Duan-ni is more porous than Zisha, so probably the first few brews for a couple of months may result in your tea being less fragrant than using a porcelain gaiwan. But Duan-ni is recommended for Oolong.

I like Zisha for Pu-er especially thicker walled teapots as thicker walls act as insulation to allow for longer steeping times.

Other than clay material, shapes also affect the way it brews tea. Choose taller wider pots for Oolongs and greens as their leaves need space to unfurl. Whereas for shu pu-er, u can choose smaller flatter pots.

Again, I am not an expert, so do check with others about what I have written.

At the end of the day, remember to enjoy your tea.

[Tead Off]

Swozt,

I was just curious about your personal preference and taste for the various yixing clays. Personally, I wouldn't buy a new 'yixing' pot for various reasons, mostly because the clay is not processed in the same way the older pots were and are mixed with other clays. You really don't know what you are getting in most cases. Modern zhuni clay is not the same as older zhuni clay. Part of the hype of zhuni is that the older clay was magical in its brewing of certain teas. There is a noticeable difference drinking oolong brewed in zhuni.

The only new pot I've bought is a bankoyaki small pot from Japan. Purple clay, high fired in a reduction kiln. 100% natural clay, no additives. I am very impressed with this pot and it's under $100 price tag. I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who is interested in tea to check it out. They are also beautiful and well made. Cheers.