Clay teapot - 1

This small delicate authentic Chinese clay tea pot is for those who seeking to maximise the enjoyment of the Chinese tea experience.

Clay tea accessories are strongly associated with the culture of Chinese tea, being used for brewing teas during tea ceremonies, as well as by traditionalists for individual consumption.

Clay is still the material of choice for Chinese tea brewing due to:

1. The sensitivity of teas to foreign odours. Modern synthetic materials such as plastics and metals have a scent that can somewhat mask subtle delicate tastes associated with high quality teas.
2. Somehow tea leaves brewed in a clay teapot appear more vibrant. It is thought that micro cavities embedded in the clay used to make these tea pots allow tea to ‘breath’ through. This is a similar phenomenon to boiling green vegetables without the lid, as opposed to lid on (which results in greater degree of “stewing”).  Clay is superior to glass and ceramics in this regard.
3. The small volume of the tea accessory allows the brewing technique of adding a relative large amount of tea leaf that is constantly washed by a small amount of fresh boiling water as tea is served frequently. The result is a “fresher” serve of tea, as opposed to a tea made from excessively soaked leaves – which can yield a bitter edge to the taste.

The last word belongs to an ancient Chinese tea proverb which translated states:

Water – natural mineral water is supreme.

Fire – open charcoal fire is ideal.

Tea accessories – small ones are the best.