The region of Yi Xing China is known for its pottery, especially teapots. For more than 5000 years, this area has been producing a distinctive pottery due to the unique mineral deposits found in the earth of this region.
Yi Xing has a wealth of zisha, the purple sand or ore, which is found in the mountainous area. The clay consistency is a mixture of mica, kaolin and quartz. The clay not only has a high iron ore concentration which contributes to the color intensities of the clay, but it is also sandy in texture. Zisha or purple sand clay is generally found underground and beneath rock. As it is recovered, it is not unusual for the purple sand to be among other types of clay.
After the clay is recovered, it is baked in the sun until it is hard. Next, the hard and dried purple clay is beat and ground into a fine sandy composite. Then, the particles are sifted through and the finest portions are taken and mixed with water, and the air bubbles are removed. Once this process is carried out, what was once purple sand ore is now ready to be used. The purple sand clay, at the hands of skilled artisans is transformed into the perfect teapot.
The clay is pounded into the shape of the pot and any delicate and intricate details are made into the clay before it is placed in the kiln. The clay is then fired at 1190 degrees Celsius or 2174 degrees Fahrenheit. Mass production of the purple clay teapots is four to five teapots crafted per day. Also, if a mold is used during the shaping of the teapot, then it is considered to be mass produced. For some artisans, creating the perfect teapot can take up to a month for just one. Once shaped and fired, the purple clay will hold its shape.
Yi Xing teapots are not glazed. The reason for this is because the unglazed finish allows the teapot to absorb a bit of the tea during each infusion, allowing for a more enjoyable tea experience. It is recommended that the same type of oolong tea be used in the same pot to avoid any corruption of flavors. This concept for example, would also apply to an aged puerh or a raw puerh tea; a regular oolong or a greener oolong such as Bao Zhong. Each tea variety needs its own separate teapot. The special clay keeps the tea at just the right temperature.
These purple sand teapots should never be cleaned with detergents or harsh chemicals. The final step in the tea drinking or the Chinese tea ceremony is the clean-up. During this very important step, the teapot is simply washed with very hot water and allowed to completely air dry. Please remember not put away your teapot while it is wet or damp.
Using Yixing teapots in the traditional Chinese tea ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to savor the tradition and artisan skill that goes into creating these incredibly special teapots. It is also an opportunity to take part in a time honored tradition that is steeped in the classical culture and history of China.
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Karen Davis is an Yixing Teapot enthusiast and collected her first pot back in the 1980's. She is the founder of Brownstoneshopper, an online webstore that sells Yixing teapots. We have a variety of teapots showcased in our online gallery. If you enjoyed this article, visit us now online at http://www.brownstoneshopper.com/contact-us/ and sign up for your FREE Report!
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