Azisha gaiwanis a lidded brewing cup made from genuine, natural Yixing ore clay. Where a porcelain gaiwan stays neutral, a purple-clay gaiwan softens and rounds a brew the way a zisha pot does — a lovely option if you like the control of a gaiwan but the character of zisha. Being unglazed, it will gradually take on the character of your tea, so it is worth keeping for one type of tea, just like a teapot.

OurYixing zisha tea cupsare small gongfu cups thrown from the same natural purple-clay ore. Their unglazed walls sit warm in the hand and let the aroma settle, and they pair naturally with a zisha teapot or gaiwan for a matching gongfu table. Many of our cups come in more than one clay colour — a warm red clay, a deep purple clay and a sandy beige (Duan Ni) — so you can match them to the pot you brew with.

Care is the same easy ritual as a zisha teapot: rinse a new piece with clean water before first use, and after each session rinse with hot water only — never soap or detergent, which the porous clay would absorb — then let it air-dry. Over time your gaiwan and cups build the same soft, glowing patina that zisha lovers prize.

What is a zisha gaiwan?

A zisha gaiwan is a lidded gongfu brewing cup made from genuine Yixing purple-clay ore. It brews like a gaiwan but, being unglazed zisha, gently rounds out the tea the way a zisha teapot does.

Do zisha cups follow one pot, one tea?

Zisha cups are less absorbent than a teapot, so they are more forgiving — but a gaiwan, which holds the leaves as it brews, is best kept for one type of tea, just like a teapot.

Can I use these with my Yixing teapot?

Yes — they are designed to pair with our Yixing zisha teapots for a complete gongfu set. You can also add a gong fu tea tray to finish the table.

Do you ship across Australia?

Yes — everything is dispatched from Sydney and ships across Australia. Orders over $100 ship free.