Special Tea Pots – Yixing Teapots from Yixing, China
(PRWEB) January 14, 2005
The special properties of Zisha clay make Yixing tea pots the finest teapots for brewing Shen Nong tea. Before tea became known, a Chinese emperor drank the unknown beverage that was produced when some leaves fell into boiling water. After drinking the beverage, he found it to be pleasurable and effective. This is how tea was “discovered” approximately 5000 years ago. According to Chinese legends, the popularity of tea soon spread through China and then Japan and would become an integral part of life and culture in both these countries. The association of tea in Chinese religious rituals and “Japanese Tea Ceremony” are proof to this fact. With the passage of time, tea drinking habits spread throughout the world. Tea is available now in various categories.
The four basic categories are:
1. Black
2. Green
3. Oolong
4. Herbal Tea
These tea varieties are different in taste as they are in the production process. While black tea is fully oxidized, green tea is not oxidized at all. Oolong tea is placed in between black and green tea in respect of both the taste and flavor. This tea is partly oxidized to give this effect. Herbal tea does not contain any tea leaves. It is basically produced from flowers, berries, peels, leaves, and seeds of other plants.
Good brewing is the key to success for preparing a perfect cup of tea. Through the ages, fine tea connoisseurs and the experts in tea brewing have considered the Yixing tea pot to be the finest brewing vessel for tea. The popularity of Yixing tea pot dates back to the discovery of the purple tinged Zisha clay during the reign of Sung Dynasty (960 – 1279). Zisha clay, which is the ideal raw material for making the Yixing tea pot, was first mined in Yixing province of China. According to experts, Yixing tea pots claim to be the finest tea brewing vessels due to several reasons : The pots preserve heat, primary color, flavors and taste of the tea for as long as five days. Sedimentary lake deposits in the Zisha clay also contribute to the fine brewing technique of the Yixing tea pot. Apart from brewing excellence, Yixing tea pots are special because they do not crack in case of extreme temperature difference. Yixing teapots mature with more use do not clean for better results.
The secret behind the fine qualities of a Yixing tea pot is the unique chemical composition and characteristics of Zisha clay. Zisha Clay (Zi=purple and Sha= Sand) is neither an ordinary sandy clay nor does it have a purple color. The clay (also known as five color clay) is a mixture of clay, quartz and mica and contains a high amount of iron. Further, Zisha clay has a 4% absorption rate and does not contain any known toxins. In fact Yixing tea pot exceeds the strict standards imposed by China’s pottery research institute and is approved by the FDA’s standard of quality.
Yixing teapots are fine examples of the artistic genius of the potters of Yixing. The tea pots are regarded as collectibles for their aesthetic appeal.
Contact –
Specialtea Pots
Website – http://www.specialteapots.com
Phone – 360.373.9854
Fax – 360.373.9854
Email – brew@specialteapots.com; teresa@specialteapots.com
###
©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
