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overview
Yixing (ee-shing) teapots first
appeared during the Sung Dynasty
(960-1279) in the Yixing region of
China, about 120 miles northwest of
Shanghai. The Yixing region is the
world's only source for the unique
clay from which these teapots are
made. The most traditional color is
from the zisha clay (purple sand).
The purple clay is actually a
reddish brown before firing. There
are also several other naturally
occurring colors including red, dark
brown, yellow, blue, green, and a
rare white. Research has shown that
the local sedimentary clay used to
make authentic Yixing ware is lead
free.
Yixing
teapots were relatively
unknown for many years until the
late Ming Dynasty (1600s) when their
use and production began to
flourish. Demand from Europe and
China fueled an active industry over
the next three hundred years. Yixing
teapots attained renown throughout
China and Europe. Although the
Europeans strove to imitate the
Yixing teapots, they could not
compete with the unique purple clay
only found near Yixing, China.
Yixing teapots are fired at very
high temperatures resulting in a
high clay density. This high density
allows the pot to retain heat longer
extracting more flavor from the tea.
The pots are micro-porous and are
un-glazed allowing the pot to
breath, and absorb the taste, scent
and color of your tea. With
continued use, a patina is built up
on the inside, seasoning the pot and
the oils from the tea bring out a
deeper luster to the teapot's
colors.
It is not uncommon for a well used
Yixing teapot to increase in value
over time. Legend has it that if a
pot has been used one hundred times,
all one has to do is add hot water
to make tea.
In fact, well used Yixing pots do
enhance the flavor of the tea. Serious
tea aficionados use each teapot for
only a single tea blend so they do
not adulterate the tea flavors by
mixing them.
cleaning and conditioning the pot
Before
the first use the pot should be conditioned to clean it and to
"open the clay" for fine tea brewing. We recommend slow heating
process as described below. DO NOT USE ANY DETERGENTS OR
COMMERCIAL CLEANERS to clean a clay teapot. It is unglazed and
will absorb a portion of any liquid to which it is exposed.
-
Rinse the pot in
clear water to remove any loose sand or dust before conditioning
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Place the pot in pan
that can be heated and that is large enough to entirely cover the
pot with water
-
Cover
the pot completely with filtered potable water. We recommend
that using the same water that you will use to brew tea
-
Slowly raise the temperature to a
boil (keeping
at a simmer so the pot is not damaged) and boil for at least
one-half hour.
-
Carefully remove the
pot from the water and allow it to cool.
-
After cooling, rinse
the pot in clear water to remove any remaining particles.
Note: Some
sources recommend adding a bit of tea to the pot during the
initial conditioning process to begin the seasoning. We prefer to
clean the pot thoroughly prior to introducing the tea oils which
will deposit in the clay pores. If you wish to use tea, repeat the
process adding tea in the second boil.
on-going maintenance
Maintaining a Yixing
teapot is very simple. To care for your pot:
DO:
-
Wash your pot with
hot water inside and out after each
use.
-
Dry it thoroughly
with a soft cloth and allow it to air
dry for at least 2 hours.
-
Use each pot to
brew a single blend/type of tea.
-
Store carefully
to prevent breakage and keep it dust-free.
DON'T
-
Never
wash the pot with detergent or
cleaners.
-
Never
wash the pot with other dishes
containing grease.
-
Never
heat the pot directly on the stove
or other heat source. It is meant
for steeping tea only.
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