Rong Tian (容天) is a classic Yixing Teapot shape. Its name means "Accommodating Heaven," and the spirit of the name is reflected in the shape. – The body is round and full, with a low center of gravity that gives it a solid, grounded presence in the hand. It's a pot that feels generous in shape and character.

There's a saying tied to this form: "A big belly can contain all matters under heaven" (肚大能容天下事). That attitude – open, steady, and spacious – is part of what gives this pot its appeal. The straight spout pours quickly and cleanly, with a rounded, steady jet and a sharp cutoff. Its full belly allows leaves to open comfortably and swirl during steeping, promoting a balanced extraction without crowding.

This teapot is made from Zhao Zhuang Zhu Ni (赵庄朱泥) – a particularly fine kind of Zhu Ni clay (朱泥), known for its smooth texture and rich red-brown color. Zhao Zhuang is one of the three original mountains historically known for producing Yixing clay: Zhao Zhuang (赵庄), Huang Long Shan (黄龙山), and Xiao Mei Yao (小煤窑). These are sometimes referred to as the "old mines" (老矿), and clay from them is held in particularly high regard.

The depth and purity of the clay beds at these "old mines" is what sets these original clay sources apart. The material tends to have finer particles and a more complex mineral composition compared to the more commercially available "modern" Yixing clays that come from newer or mixed sources. It gives the finished teapots a more refined surface texture. These qualities can be noticed in the way the teapot brings out the character of the tea. These older clays are also more responsive to seasoning, developing patina more easily and aging in a visually pleasing way.

Zhao Zhuang ZhuNi comes from the deeper layers of the Huang Shi Huang" (黄石黄) clay bed. Compared to other ZhuNi clays like Huang Long Shan or Xiao Mei Yao, this clay tends to be darker and more stable in color after firing. It also has a relatively high shrinkage rate (around 20%), which makes forming teapots from it more challenging but yields a fine final product.

This teapot is crafted by Ren Yixin (任艺心), a young and well-respected potter from Yixing. Ren has over a decade of experience in Yixing teaware, mostly working with traditional shapes, always with a light touch and a sharp eye. His work is clean, well-balanced, and full of life.

• Capacity: 110ml

• Speed of pour: 12 ml/sec (since each teapot is individually crafted, the pouring speed may vary slightly)

• Filter: ball shape

• Material: Zhu Ni, Zhao Zhuang, Yixing Clay (ZiSha) – 赵庄朱泥宜兴泥

• Shape: Rong Tian ("Accommodating Heaven") – 容天

NOTE: Avoid using detergents when cleaning.

It's All About Tea — milk oolong

Milk Oolong, No Cows Involved