An Yixing (pronounced ee-shing) clay teapot is a tea drinking joy like no other. It is made of a red, purple, or buff clay found only in China's Jiangsu province northwest of Shanghai. The clay is especially porous, and neither the inside nor the outside of the teapots is glazed to allow the tea's flavor and oils to permeate the pot's walls. For this reason, Yixing devotees usually designate a pot for a specific type of tea to avoid contamination from cross-brewing.
Westerners are often surprised at the small 1-2 cup size of the typical Yixing teapot. Unlike communal 6-8 cup or larger teapots, the Yixing teapot is a personal and intimate treasure much like a favorite pair of slippers.
Tea preparation begins with the seasoning of the new pot. First, rinse the pot with water to remove any loose materials. Then, allow an infusion of the type of tea to which the pot will be dedicated to steep in the pot for up to 30 minutes. Discard the tea and rinse the pot with clear water. The seasoning process is only done once before a pot's first use.
To prepare the tea:
- fill the teapot with boiling water, put its lid on, and pour hot water over the pot
- discard the water once the pot is warmed
- add loose leaf tea to the pot; the amount depends on personal preference, but 2 tablespoons in a 2-cup pot is a safe starting point
- fill the teapot with hot water
- allow the tea to steep; again, the time depends on personal preference, but up to 2 minutes for the first steeping is typical
Pour the tea into your favorite pre-warmed cup, relax, and submerge your senses in the combined ancient elements of clay, water, and tea. High grade tea leaves support 4-6 steepings.
Caring for a Yixing teapot could not be easier. Use clear water to flush the leaves out of the pot, and turn the pot upside down to dry. Soap or detergents should never be used on either the outside or the inside of a Yixing teapot.
Click Yixing teapots if you would like to begin shopping for your own Yixing pot. Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment