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Post by Miguel on Jun 7, 2012 16:18:07 GMT
I Love Tea since I was a child... Thanks to our Chinese Doctor... ;D Nai Cha, Hongkong milk tea, Ceylon, Japanese Green tea, Oolong, etc. But Alas... I can't seem to find a good tea pot in my country specially "Yixing clay teapot"... All I can find is some cheap low quality ceramic teapots imported from some unknown factory from China and I tell you it's of Horrid Quality and Craftsmanship... even saw one with a Horrible paint job. and I don't like them... specially the ceramic coating... Anyone here knows where I can buy a good and affordable Yixing clay teapot? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yixing_clay_teapot Please can anyone share their.... recommendations? websites? product reviews? I don't want to gamble on some unknown or risky website without some customer reviews or some good input from the people with same interests like me... I just don't have a good Teapot for my Teatime during my Erhu practice or during my Daodejing Contemplation.... A good Teapot to facilitate my Tea drinking. Sigh.... No good Teapots in my country... I've checked several Malls and in the Capital city, I can't recall any Yixing Teapot in China Town, Just some Ceramic ones... It can't be helped... My country is a nation of Beer/Wine drinkers and Coffee drinkers (Thanks to our 300+ Years Spanish Colonial period) Thank you for reading.
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Post by edcat7 on Jun 7, 2012 17:28:11 GMT
Hi Miguel
It doesn't matter what Yixing teapot you choose. What does matter is how to prepare it for making tea. Wikipedia will have lots on it but to summarise:
Soak the teapot in cold water for at least 12 hours Gently boil for 1 hour. Leave to soak for another 12 Boil the teapot in the tea you're going use for 1 more hour. Soak in the tea for another 12. It's now ready to use. Use only the same type of tea in the teapot.
There are lots on eBay
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Post by xindi on Jun 7, 2012 20:49:43 GMT
One type of tea per teapot.....that will make the Imelda Marcos collection of teapots, to add to the Imelda Marcos collection of flutes Miguel - the last time I was in a tea making class, the patron demonstrated the qualities of a good earthen teapot: they are not cheap clay pots, factory made from moulds - instead each one is handcrafted from particular regions in China (like Xian). Rather than rely on appearances of the pot, or its materials, he demonstrated simply, by pouring the tea from the pot, whilst standing, to a cup down on the table, 60 centimetres below. Not only was he a perfect aim, he didn't spill a single drop of tea. This he explained, was the principle of a quality teapot: it never leaks, no matter what angle you tilt it. Either it streams, or it doesn't; there is no 'dribble' effect of the chinese restaurant teapots. The other characteristics (i.e. the teapot lid does not fall off when tilted to pour the last drops) are important. As Ed suggests - removing the impurities before drinking help, by soaking the cup, and impregnating it in hot tea (not necessarily boil though - bit too scarey for me). Of course, you'll notice that you can't choose a tea pot this way - most shops won't let you 'try' before you buy. I've never bought a teapot over the internet, so I'm of no help there sorry. But at least you know now, how to test whether the one you eventually buy, is good or not
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Post by edcat7 on Jun 7, 2012 21:34:01 GMT
The point of soaking and boiling a yixing teapot is to open up the pores. Then the tea will infuse into the teapot. After many years of use the teapot will smell and taste of the tea.
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Post by xindi on Jun 7, 2012 21:42:37 GMT
Yes....but you know my penchant for cracking things~!
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Post by Miguel on Jun 21, 2012 3:52:28 GMT
Thank you sir edcat7 and sir xindi I will follow your instructions and remember your words when I would get my Teapot. -Xindi I see... that kind of teapot reminds me of my Favorite Chinese Restaurant... LOL I don't remember Former First Lady Imelda Marcos having a collection of Teapot or Flutes. ;D Thank you very much
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Post by edcat7 on Jun 21, 2012 9:34:27 GMT
Oh yes, Never use detergent on a Yixing teapot. Rinse with water and dry naturally.
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Post by rappelz on Jun 25, 2012 1:45:13 GMT
What you said it is so interesting.
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Post by xindi on Jun 25, 2012 9:55:07 GMT
Thanks for warning Ed - that is probably why my last visit to someone's house for tea left me tasting Fairy Liquid soap suds :/
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Post by dragona on Jul 10, 2012 9:45:42 GMT
You said is very good.
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