Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:56 pm
Page 11 of 17
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 1:07 pm
Welcome to TeaForum @m2193. Agree with @polezaivsani advice. If you do need to reset look inside Repair & Cleaning forum, many threads regarding resetting teaware in there. One thing I always do after finishing a session is rinse Yixing with boiling water, let water sit a few minutes before discarding to thoroughly heat teapot, pat dry and allow to completely dry before placing lid back on pot.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:17 am
Approximately how many times do you use a yixing teapot before it is well seasoned and you would use it with really high end tea?
I blindly bought and have been using this teapot for yancha for about a month. I got a zhuni teapot because I had read that they won't absorb too much flavor from the tea, but after using it close to everyday for a month, it still "rounds" the flavor of the tea so much.
For reference, I seasoned the teapot in tea for a few hours after I received it. After I'm done brewing, I let the leaves sit in the teapot for a few hours, then knock the leaves out and let it dry without rinsing it.
It is great for lesser quality yancha that is too roasted for me, but I feel like it brews really high quality yancha worse than a gaiwan. Is my yixing not seasoned enough, or inferior clay, or is this just the nature of yixing? I realize that this isn't an f1/f2 teapot so I worry about the clay quality as well.
I blindly bought and have been using this teapot for yancha for about a month. I got a zhuni teapot because I had read that they won't absorb too much flavor from the tea, but after using it close to everyday for a month, it still "rounds" the flavor of the tea so much.
For reference, I seasoned the teapot in tea for a few hours after I received it. After I'm done brewing, I let the leaves sit in the teapot for a few hours, then knock the leaves out and let it dry without rinsing it.
It is great for lesser quality yancha that is too roasted for me, but I feel like it brews really high quality yancha worse than a gaiwan. Is my yixing not seasoned enough, or inferior clay, or is this just the nature of yixing? I realize that this isn't an f1/f2 teapot so I worry about the clay quality as well.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:07 pm
It's unglazed clay. It'll always have an effect. Zhuni has the smallest effect, but it still changes the tea compared to a Gaiwan. For really high end yancha, I think only porcelain is the way to go.medroses wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:17 amApproximately how many times do you use a yixing teapot before it is well seasoned and you would use it with really high end tea?
I blindly bought and have been using this teapot for yancha for about a month. I got a zhuni teapot because I had read that they won't absorb too much flavor from the tea, but after using it close to everyday for a month, it still "rounds" the flavor of the tea so much.
For reference, I seasoned the teapot in tea for a few hours after I received it. After I'm done brewing, I let the leaves sit in the teapot for a few hours, then knock the leaves out and let it dry without rinsing it.
It is great for lesser quality yancha that is too roasted for me, but I feel like it brews really high quality yancha worse than a gaiwan. Is my yixing not seasoned enough, or inferior clay, or is this just the nature of yixing? I realize that this isn't an f1/f2 teapot so I worry about the clay quality as well.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 6:08 pm
hmm that's odd. Might be that particular clay. Good zhuni usually rounds very little.medroses wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:17 amApproximately how many times do you use a yixing teapot before it is well seasoned and you would use it with really high end tea?
I blindly bought and have been using this teapot for yancha for about a month. I got a zhuni teapot because I had read that they won't absorb too much flavor from the tea, but after using it close to everyday for a month, it still "rounds" the flavor of the tea so much.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 6:42 pm
@medroses I brew Yancha in Zhuni, as well. I observe a smoother and thicker mouthfeel, with a more concentrated aroma and flavor. Definitely no muting, and only the slightest rounding off the top. Sounds like the clay. You should have opted for the “Antique 19th Century Yixing "Li Pi" Zhuni Chinese Teapot (梨皮朱泥)” for $7,999.95. Guaranteed, the finest Zhuni I have ever seen 
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:32 pm
If the clay is indeed the issue, can anybody recommend places to get sub 90ml teapots made of quality clay for less than ludicrous prices? Like <$300, I can't afford to drop like 1K on a 60s factory 1 pot, as much as I'd like to lol.TeaTotaling wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 6:42 pmmedroses I brew Yancha in Zhuni, as well. I observe a smoother and thicker mouthfeel, with a more concentrated aroma and flavor. Definitely no muting, and only the slightest rounding off the top. Sounds like the clay. You should have opted for the “Antique 19th Century Yixing "Li Pi" Zhuni Chinese Teapot (梨皮朱泥)” for $7,999.95. Guaranteed, the finest Zhuni I have ever seen
Thank you all for your help btw!
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:33 pm
Agreed. Zhuni is the best option if you want everything the tea has too offer, but slightly more harmonious than in porcelain. @Youzi agree to disagree 
If the pot in question does mute a lot, it’s either not real Zhuni, or hasn’t been properly fired. Zhuni doesn’t need any break in time, it should work from the start.
If the pot in question does mute a lot, it’s either not real Zhuni, or hasn’t been properly fired. Zhuni doesn’t need any break in time, it should work from the start.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:45 pm
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 11:46 pm
I would stick with porcelain. Every clay teapot is different, that's why they say the teapot picks the tea, not the other way.medroses wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:32 pm
If the clay is indeed the issue, can anybody recommend places to get sub 90ml teapots made of quality clay for less than ludicrous prices? Like <$300, I can't afford to drop like 1K on a 60s factory 1 pot, as much as I'd like to lol.
Thank you all for your help btw!
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 11:51 pm
But you are forgetting one thing: all porcelain is also not the same...
Old/new, Japanese/Chinese/European, Jingdezhen/Dehua/Chaozhou, thin/thick, glazed/unglazed, etc. – you get the picture.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:47 am
Interestingly I have a porcelain gaiwan that mutes slightly. But it's handmade, might be the reason.
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 1:32 am
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 2:28 am
Re: Yixing advice
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:26 am
I sent you a PM. Also, I do have a very nice 80ml 60's Hongni that could be available, if it would ever be a realistic option for you.medroses wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:32 pmIf the clay is indeed the issue, can anybody recommend places to get sub 90ml teapots made of quality clay for less than ludicrous prices? Like <$300, I can't afford to drop like 1K on a 60s factory 1 pot, as much as I'd like to lol.TeaTotaling wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 6:42 pmmedroses I brew Yancha in Zhuni, as well. I observe a smoother and thicker mouthfeel, with a more concentrated aroma and flavor. Definitely no muting, and only the slightest rounding off the top. Sounds like the clay. You should have opted for the “Antique 19th Century Yixing "Li Pi" Zhuni Chinese Teapot (梨皮朱泥)” for $7,999.95. Guaranteed, the finest Zhuni I have ever seen
Thank you all for your help btw!