TeaForum.org

TeaTotaling wrote: ↑

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.

I am potentially interested, however my account is not allowed to PM you yet, I don't really know how to proceed.

26uk wrote: ↑

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.

So is quality yixing really unattainable at "reasonable" prices? I now realize porcelain is the way to go for really high-end stuff, but I love the heat retention of yixing and am now very curious to try actual quality clay and how it interacts with my tea. I realize that's no guarantee that I'll like how the teapot interacts with my tea.

Bok wrote: ↑

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.

Oh god now I'm very curious, is there any good resource to learn about how different porcelains affect tea?

@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 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.

medroses wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:22 am

I am potentially interested, however my account is not allowed to PM you yet, I don't really know how to proceed.

you can pm

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.

@TeaTotaling
Thanks for the input, your zhuni pot sounds awesome! I am still working myself towards an antique zhuni pot. I have a few modern zhuni pots and a F1 hongni to play around with when I feel like drinking some other than puerh. When the time and my wallet is ready, a 60s hongni 12 cups is my next target. And then maybe an antique zhuni. A far journey

TeaTotaling wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:45 pm

Let me add mine of the same “line”. This particular style is known to be very fragile, literally all of the examples I’ve seen had hairlines or other damages.

Mine is a strong case of kiln change, with a myriad of colours, it’s a delight to look at. A bit too large for my needs, so I only use it for lager gatherings. It’s ferromagnetic all over the place and even the spout has strong wrinkles, it must have gone through hell in the dragon kiln...

Bok wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 11:06 pm

Irresistible deep calligraphy strokes!! Simply breath taking!!.. hahahahaha.....

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 9:27 pm

TeaTotaling
Thanks for the input, your zhuni pot sounds awesome! I am still working myself towards an antique zhuni pot. I have a few modern zhuni pots and a F1 hongni to play around with when I feel like drinking some other than puerh. When the time and my wallet is ready, a 60s hongni 12 cups is my next target. And then maybe an antique zhuni. A far journey

It is charming, and a pleasure to use. I have considered selling it to make room for a larger pot. My size preferences have shifted toward larger pots. @125ml it's a little small for my tastes. A knowledgable friend has advised me against parting with it, due to the scarcity of quality antique pots, and Zhuni nonetheless. Brewing with it the past few days has certainly caused me to reconsider. Although, I'm not an avid collector. At this stage, I know 2-4 teapots I regularly use would best suit me. I'm not far above that mark, having only 7. I do have an 80ml, 60's Hongni if you are ever interested. It's another gem, but not frequently used. Be patient along your journey, there is no rush to the end, take extra time to enjoy the simplicity of drinking a warm cup of delicious tea.

@TeaTotaling
Definitely keep the antique zhuni pot and I too agreed with scarcity. Thank you for your offer, I enjoy using mid size pots more. I find 120ml to 200 ml works best for me.

OCTO wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:59 am

Bok wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 11:06 pm

Irresistible deep calligraphy strokes!! Simply breath taking!!.. hahahahaha.....

I concur, lovely work on an old beauty

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 19, 2021 3:33 pm

TeaTotaling
Definitely keep the antique zhuni pot and I too agreed with scarcity. Thank you for your offer, I enjoy using mid size pots more. I find 120ml to 200 ml works best for me.

Cheers! Happy brewing over the weekend

TeaTotaling wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:45 pm

... My experience is with antique Zhuni, .... 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.

Just want to say that is one of the best description I’ve read so far regarding antique Zhuni characteristics. Thank you. I’d be interested if anyone has come across other clays that transform when heated in a similar way to Zhuni, but are softer and slightly thicker walled teapots?

@Victoria I’ve come across this with all kinds of old clays, Zini/Zisha or different varieties and Hongni. It’s a general sign for good clay, no matter the thickness. At least all the pots that exhibit this have been great to use.

Those zhuni pots are beautiful! Is it a faux pas to ask approximately how much pots like this cost? ZAG is the only place I know of that seems to have comparable pots but I'm too nervous to email for a price.