Sip your tea from the mouths of whimsical dragons, owls or horses; or from spouts of contemporary shapes, cubes and curves. Yi Xing teapots are an ancient tradition and a unique way to enjoy your tea.
Yi Xing Origins
The teapots are made from clay that is sometimes referred to as “Purple Sand,” found near Yi Xing, China. These teapots may have originated as early as the 10th century, and were traditionally made to be small. This way, the tea would be consumed quickly and tea leaves weren’t allowed to steep too long and get bitter. The tea would not have a chance to cool off before it was enjoyed.
Using a Yi Xing
The porous material of the clay absorbs a little of the tea each time it is used and serves to flavor the pot. For this reason, using soap or other harsh cleaning methods is discouraged. Many times, the teapots are used primarily for decorative pieces, but those who use them for steeping tea often choose one particular tea to flavor the pot.
Yi Xing teapots come in many different sizes and shapes today. Choosing just one can be as difficult as choosing just one tea to flavor your pot. A black tea, oolong or pu-erh is often the best choice for flavoring your teapot as the heavier tastes absorb into the porous clay. But green and white teas work fine too.
Browse through all of our Yi Xing Teaware. Then let us help you pick the perfect tea to pair it with.