How to Enjoy and Care for your Yixing Clay Teapot
Enjoy a taste of tradition in a handmade Yixing clay teapot, artistically refined through thousands of years of craftsmanship.
History
From the Yixing region of China, in the Jiangsu province, these teapots possess an astonishing history dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1297) when purple clay was first discovered. Yixing teapots flourished and matured in the late Ming and Qing Dynasties (1573-1911) when the British and Dutch explorers shipped various teapots to the West. The Yixing teapot has maintained its unique reputation for over 1000 years in both China and abroad. Renowned as the ‘best vessels for brewing’ by Chinese tea aficionados they are used Gongfu style, (literally “tea brewing with great skill”), in the Chinese tea ceremony.
Craft
Artisans creating Yixing teapots must serve a long apprenticeship under the guidance of established masters. They receive vigorous training in all aspects of crafts before mastering their techniques. Artisans utilize purple clay containing natural minerals to create beautiful products of various forms. All Yixing teapots are handmade by a single artist, with the seal of the artisan on the bottom of the pot, making each one unique. Yixing pots are unglazed and no chemicals or other additives are added to the clay during their production. The low firing temperature allows the artisan to make a close fitting lid (one that won’t shrink during the firing) which in turn inhibits oxidation and heightens the tea’s flavor.
Benefits
Yixing teapots have the unique ability to absorb tea flavors with continued use of the same tea. The porous nature of Zisha clay (contains iron, quartz and mica and is only found in the Yixing region) allows the unglazed pots to become more seasoned with each use. The unglazed clay contains tiny air pockets which provide insulation and enhances the taste and aroma of any tea. All items are lead free.
Symbolic Meanings of Yixing Teapot Designs
Teas steeped in Yixing clay pots are said to be more satisfying to the soul.
Bamboo – Nobility, spiritual growth
Buddha – Peace, happiness, enlightenment, serenity
Buddha Tree/Bodhi Tree – Enlightenment, joy, tranquility, peace
Cat – Good luck, peace, harmony
Cherry Blossom – Beauty, eternal love
Chrysanthemum – Optimism, abundant harvest, symbol of the sun
Coin – Good fortune, prosperity
Dogwood Blossom – Sacrifice, protection, eternal life
Dolphin – Kindness, communication, friendship
Dragon – Strength, power, good fortune, immortality
Fish – Abundance, fidelity, prosperity
Frog – Good luck charm, healing, predicts future danger & prevents it
Horse – Leadership, intelligence, loyalty
Hotei Buddha (Fat Buddha or Lucky Buddha) – Contentment, happiness, tranquility, and generosity
Lizard – Strong will, long life, awareness, pride
Monkey – Quick witted, full of energy, cleverness
Mouse – Beginnings, desire, curiosity
Mushroom – Long life, happiness, virility, knowledge, enlightenment
Peony Blossom – Queen of flowers, symbol of wealth & distinction
Phoenix & Dragon – Fellowship, yin & yang, virtue
Plum Blossom – Beauty, strength, willpower
Sea Dragon – Eternity, balance yin & yang
Seahorse – Good luck, patience, generosity, persistence
Swan – elegance, beauty, purity, partnership
Tiger – Courage, protection, determination
Tree – Circle of life, inner peace, wisdom
Turtle – Longevity, balance, eternal life, patience
Wicker/Cane – Flexibility, strength, perseverance
Care & Use
• To pre-heat, fill pot with hot water and drain.
• Place loose leaf tea into pre-heated pot, fill with hot water, steep (time varies depending on the type of tea) and enjoy!
• To clean, empty tea leaves & rinse with hot water. Do not scrub or use soap. Clay teapots are not safe for dishwasher, microwave, or stovetop use.
• Use only one type/flavor of tea per pot for best results.
• To maintain quality, only use bamboo tools when preparing tea in Yixing clay.
Looking for some high-quality and hand-crafted Yixing Clay Teapots? Check out Teavana’s selection!
I personally own and love the Buddha Tree Yixing teapot from Teavana.
I know it was one of their limited styles, and adore using it for all of my fruit white tea blends, which smell so aromatic within the clay while it steeps. Bought for me by my hubby (thank you sweetie ^-^) this teapot really sets a serene temperament for the day and helps imbue a sensual floral scent throughout my house on top of really bringing out the flavor in my full and bright herbal tea blends.
Very grateful and absolutely use it all the time!
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Original article and pictures take www.eupterrafoundation.com site
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