Yixing Teasets: The Professional Choice for Puerh and Oolong
For the dedicated tea practitioner, a Yixing Teaset is the ultimate investment in flavor. While a single Yixing pot is a great start, a complete set crafted from authentic Zisha (Purple Sand) clay ensures that your water temperature remains stable from the moment it hits the leaves to the moment it touches your lips. At Jiangnan Sourcing, we offer matched sets that include teapots, fairness pitchers, and tasting cups—all crafted from the same high-quality ore for perfect material harmony.
The Advantage of a Full Zisha Set
Using a set where every vessel is made of Yixing clay provides a unique brewing advantage:
- Thermal Consistency: Zisha clay is famous for its insulation. In a full set, the Fairness Pitcher (Cha Hai) and Cups also retain heat, ensuring your tea doesn't go cold during the transition from pot to cup.
- Cohesive Seasoning: As you "pour over" your cups and pitcher during the ritual, the entire set begins to develop a matching patina, aging beautifully as a single, unified collection.
- Mineral Interaction: The iron and quartz-rich clay interacts with the water throughout the entire pouring process, consistently softening the brew and enhancing the "sweetness" of the tea.
Authentic Materials from Jiangsu
Each set in our collection is vetted for clay purity. We source sets made from the primary Zisha types:
- Zini (Purple Clay): The most versatile, excellent for all Puerh and Black teas.
- Zhuni (Cinnabar Red): Highly sought after for its high contraction rate, perfect for bringing out the high notes in roasted Oolongs.
- Duan Ni (Fortified Clay): Known for its excellent breathability, ideal for Green Oolongs and aged whites.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the cups in a Yixing set so small?
Traditional Yixing cups are designed for Gongfu style brewing. Small cups allow you to finish the tea in 2-3 sips while it is at its ideal temperature, and they help concentrate the aroma of high-mountain teas.
2. Do the cups also need to be "seasoned" like the teapot?
Yes! Over time, Yixing cups will absorb the tea oils just like the pot. You will notice the interior of the cups developing a soft, lustrous glow. This is why we recommend using the set for only one "family" of tea (e.g., all roasted teas or all raw Puerhs).
3. How do I clean a full Yixing set?
Consistency is key. Rinse all pieces—teapot, pitcher, and cups—with boiling water immediately after your session. Never use dish soap or detergents, as the porous clay will absorb the scent and ruin your next brew.
4. Is it normal for the color to vary slightly between pieces in a set?
Because Zisha is a natural mineral ore and these sets are often fired together in small batches, slight variations in texture or "fire marks" are a sign of authentic, handmade craftsmanship rather than mass-produced chemical glazes.
5. Are Yixing sets suitable for green tea?
Because Yixing clay retains heat so well, it can sometimes "stew" delicate green teas. If you use a Yixing set for green tea, we recommend using a lower water temperature and leaving the teapot lid off between pours.
