DailyTX wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 2:33 pm
TeaTotaling wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 11:08 am
medroses maybe pedant or Victoria can help with the PM.
Quality Yixing is totally attainable at reasonable prices. Good Yixing is perfect for high-end tea! The key is to get one that's not overly muting, and doesn't contain unwanted additives. Clay quality and purity are on the top of my list when searching for a teapot.
TeaTotaling
Care to share some insights on good quality zhuni? I know you have a few haha
Zhuni is a category I have lease experience. I also own a julunzhu version of medroses pot, and I have been using for Yancha regularly. The clay texture looks similar to F1 hongni but the density is much higher. Long story short, I widened the single hole filter to make water flow better. My pot is not muting, and it does brew a decent cup of average quality Yancha. I am curious how to select a good zhuni clay.
@DailyTX Hi there! My experience is with antique Zhuni, and I do not have a modern counterpart to compare it to. From my understanding, the two might not even be comparable. A particular clay shrouded in the history, and mysteries, of old. While I can't speak for the category as a whole, due to my limited experience and knowledge, I can provide you with some observations.
First, the clay color is very distinct, being a vivid reddish orange. There is a slight sheen, but not a synthetic looking gloss I tend to notice in modern offerings. When removing the lid it sounds just like the unsheathing of a sword, quite pleasing to the ears. If you gently tap the handle with a wooden tea scoop, it sounds like the chiming of a high pitched bell. The clay is quite dense, thin, and delicate with the appearance of some wrinkles, due to shrinkage during firing. The density of the clay makes for great heat retention, despite being rather thin. While brewing tea the color of the clay changes to a beautiful deep scarlet. The color shift is very noticeable, and appealing. I find the outcome of brewing in my particular pot concentrates the aromas and flavors of the tea. There is a marked clarity present in both aroma and flavor, as well. The tea liquor is discernibly smoother, sweeter, and thicker with a lovely glistening shimmer.
Regarding modern offerings, if I were to consider, I would opt for Zhao Zhuang Zhuni from a reputable artist like 何其仙 He Qi Xian.
Picture for reference and viewing pleasure. Let the Zhuni chime, and the tea sing! Peace.