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A History
of Tradition and Art
Yixing county is
considered the pottery capital of China, and is situated in the southeastern
province of Jiangsu. The region is renowned not only for its yixing ware and
green tea, but also for its countless artisans – painters, poets, calligraphers
and ceramicists – spanning the last 500 years. Since the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644), yixing teapots have long been acknowledged by tea connoisseurs as
the best vessels for brewing teas. |
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Unique Clay
Rich
clay deposits from the region produce an array of textures and colors, ranging
from purple-brown, tan to deep, orange-reds. Because of the porosity of the
clay, the fragrance of the tea absorbs into the pot, thus "seasoning" it over
continual use. This contributes to the enjoyment of the beverage, as each pot
develops an essence of its own.
Taken from the area’s craggy cliffs and
painstakingly refined, this remarkable clay is an achievement in both strength
and delicacy. The clay body is dense, lightweight and can retain intricate
details in the sculpt. Once fired, it undergoes little contraction, which
minimizes the loss of heat and aroma. |
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Artistry
Traditional
yixings were different from other ceramics in China not only in its unique clay,
but in the fact that they were not thrown on a wheel - they were individually
hand crafted. Unique variations flourished over time in many workshops, and
artists took pride in their work by signing each pot they made with a chop, or
seal. The tradition of signing started during the Ming Dynasty, when potters
were associating with scholars and artists in this thriving region. This created
a beautiful fusion of sculpture, stone carving, calligraphy, poetry and art -
all in this tiny vessel. |
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Choosing a teapot
and taking care of it
Generally there
are two styles of pots – the decorative and the practical. The decorative ones
are generally used for display purposes. Sometimes, both elements marry
gracefully into one piece.
How can one know if a practical yixing is of
good quality? Aside from it being aesthetically pleasing, there are many more
factors to consider! The shape of the pot, along with how smoothly the liquid
pours, can affect the final outcome of the tea being brewed. The lid should be a
tight fit. Test this by filling the yixing with plain water. While pouring,
cover the tiny hole on the lid with a finger; water flow should stop. When
pouring, the flow from the spout should be direct and precise - liquid should
not be dribbling onto the counter. Also, the interior of the teapot should have
a smooth finish, with no cracks.
Traditionally, a brand new pot will
often contain some fine clay residue, as well as a taste produced by the final
firing. Start by submerging a new yixing inside a larger pot of simmering water
for at least 20 minutes. Tea leaves can be added to flavor the water. This will
clean out the pores of the pot, enabling it to “breathe” in the flavor of the
tea.
Tea aficionados have a dedicated pot for each type of tea, to keep the
flavor consistent with the seasoning. We recommend having a pot for each type of
tea category – be it oolongs, pu-erhs or black teas.
A yixing pot should
never be washed with soap; merely rinse out with cold water. Frequent use
seasons the teapots, giving more depth of fragrance to the tea being prepared.
The more tea brewed, the more luminous the vessel will become over time. The
Chinese aptly call this "yang hu", which means raising the pot, so it can grow
more beautifully in the years to come. |
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"In
Pursuit of Tea is your guide to the finest hand-crafted tea from around the
world."
We explore remote regions in search of extraordinary teas, which
we enjoy with tea drinkers and friends who share our passion." -- In Pursuit of
Tea
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