Yixing

Yixing teapots have been crafted since the Song Dynasty, reaching artistic and functional heights during the Ming and Qing periods. The local zisha clay comes in three primary types: zini (purple), zhuni (vermillion), and duanni (yellow-beige), each with distinct mineral composition and firing characteristics. The clay's double-pore structure — microscopic channels within the walls — absorbs tea oils and releases them back into future brews, creating a seasoning effect. For this reason, dedicated tea drinkers assign each Yixing pot to a single tea type. Authentic Yixing pots are handmade by individual artists, with master potters' works commanding prices comparable to fine art. Mass-produced imitations made from blended or chemically treated clays lack the mineral complexity and pore structure of genuine zisha.