It's All About Tea — clay

Some people regard Tokoname as the sister city of Yixing. Indeed, as Yixing sounds with melodic chimes to gong fu cha enthusiasts, so does Tokoname for Japanese tea enthusiasts. (Read more)

 

When choosing the right teaware for our tea ceremony, we may face a common dilemma. Porcelain or glazed stoneware? Or perhaps a non-glazed ceramic material like Yixing clay? Ultimately, there are many types of clay, and on top of that, glazes can influence the final look of the teaware and even the taste of tea. 

This post will discuss all ceramic teaware and how its unique composition can alter the final tea drinking experience. You can use this guide to choose the right teaware for yourself or friends, or simply get acquainted with the different pottery styles. (Read more)

Learning the sophisticated art of gong fu cha, we begin to understand the subtleties involved. First, we learn that tea is alive. And only by treating tea properly, preparing it the way it deserves, we are granted an impeccable, sweet, and aromatic brew.

Then we learn about teaware. We understand how to take care of the teaware — with care and never using dish soap. Gently drying after each use. We also learn that teaware is alive, particularly the clay from which the teaware is made.

A Yixing teapot is not just about the clay's porosity, the way it looks, the name, or even the way it makes your tea taste. It is all about the way you take care of it. If not correctly taken care of, a Yixing teapot is just about as useful as a run-of-the-mill ceramic teapot. (Read more)

As many variations as there are within tea categories, there are the same with teaware. It is no surprise that there is an ideal teapot or gaiwan for each type of tea. Many find these through experimentation, while some knowledge is more widespread. However, in general, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right teaware for a particular type of tea. Whether it's for gong fu or more casual tea drinking. (Read more)

If you are getting into Gong Fu Cha, you have probably heard people suggesting using yixing teaware for brewing tea. This is because Yixing Zisha clay is micro-porous and unglazed, so it interacts with the tea liquor and can slightly soften bitterness and change how aroma presents. But there are so many different yixing teapots! They come in many shapes and different types of ZiSha clay. So, which Yixing Teapot should you choose for your tea? (Read more)