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Yixing: Traditional Chinese Tea Sets
Thursday, 18 February 2010 08:06 | Written by Gavin Coleman
Without a doubt, clay pots brew the best tea ever. Quite probably the oldest known method of brewing tea, but definitely one of the most lovely and practical ways to this day. Clay tea sets are valued all over the world for their special place in tea culture; one of beauty, design and taste.
Without a doubt, clay pots brew the best tea ever. Quite probably the oldest known method of brewing tea, but definitely one of the most lovely and practical ways to this day. Clay tea sets are valued all over the world for their special place in tea culture; one of beauty, design and taste.
The uniqueness of Yixing clay tea sets comes from the clay being very porous, instead of smooth and hard like a bone china tea sets or porcelain. This porousness lets the tea set actually soak up the tea, which means that after years of usage, it no longer is necessary to add tea to the water, because the flavor of the tea itself has been preserved within the pores of the pot. The pot and cups will naturally add flavor to the water. This is the what sets Yixing tea sets apart from the rest.
Aside from the main benefit of tea clay sets, there are still a few more. If you have a new clay tea set, you don't have to worry if it isn't "seasoned" yet. Because even if it isn't old yet, it will still add to the color, flavor and aroma of any tea you brew because the set is made of clay.
Clay tea sets epitomize quality and craftsmanship. They are usually delicately carved with ornate designs including depictions of Chinese life and traditions. However, these days you can find more modern versions of Yixing tea sets too. You can find them dyed different colors or even painted with modern art. Even if you never drink from your clay set, it will make for a great conversation piece.
The care and maintenance of Yixing clay tea sets is really quite simple. Never use soaps or cleansers to clean your clay set! This is probably the most important thing to remember if you own a clay tea set. Remember, anything you put in your pot can be soaked into the clay itself. You don't want you're tea to start tasting like soap. Aside from this very important factor, they really aren't much trouble at all to take care of. When finished drinking, just pour some hot water over the clay you wish to clean, and gently rinse the tea away. No scrubbing or even drying with a tea towel is recommended, just let air dry.
Also, one should note that most tea experts who use Yixing sets are very careful not to use more than one type of tea in each set. Which is to say that if you use flower tea in a clay pot, you should always and only use flower tea. If you start mixing different tea leaves, their flavors will all be absorbed into the pot, and you will never again be able to expect consistent flavor.
If you want to find your own Yixing tea set, all you have to do is look online. Or you could travel to China, but it isn't necessary anymore. You can't go wrong with a clay tea set, and you really can't get anything that is more traditional.
by GavinColeman
Without a doubt, clay pots brew the best tea ever. Quite probably the oldest known method of brewing tea, but definitely one of the most lovely and practical ways to this day. Clay tea sets are valued all over the world for their special place in tea culture; one of beauty, design and taste.
The uniqueness of Yixing clay tea sets comes from the clay being very porous, instead of smooth and hard like a bone china tea sets or porcelain. This porousness lets the tea set actually soak up the tea, which means that after years of usage, it no longer is necessary to add tea to the water, because the flavor of the tea itself has been preserved within the pores of the pot. The pot and cups will naturally add flavor to the water. This is the what sets Yixing tea sets apart from the rest.
Aside from the main benefit of tea clay sets, there are still a few more. If you have a new clay tea set, you don't have to worry if it isn't "seasoned" yet. Because even if it isn't old yet, it will still add to the color, flavor and aroma of any tea you brew because the set is made of clay.
Clay tea sets epitomize quality and craftsmanship. They are usually delicately carved with ornate designs including depictions of Chinese life and traditions. However, these days you can find more modern versions of Yixing tea sets too. You can find them dyed different colors or even painted with modern art. Even if you never drink from your clay set, it will make for a great conversation piece.
The care and maintenance of Yixing clay tea sets is really quite simple. Never use soaps or cleansers to clean your clay set! This is probably the most important thing to remember if you own a clay tea set. Remember, anything you put in your pot can be soaked into the clay itself. You don't want you're tea to start tasting like soap. Aside from this very important factor, they really aren't much trouble at all to take care of. When finished drinking, just pour some hot water over the clay you wish to clean, and gently rinse the tea away. No scrubbing or even drying with a tea towel is recommended, just let air dry.
Also, one should note that most tea experts who use Yixing sets are very careful not to use more than one type of tea in each set. Which is to say that if you use flower tea in a clay pot, you should always and only use flower tea. If you start mixing different tea leaves, their flavors will all be absorbed into the pot, and you will never again be able to expect consistent flavor.
If you want to find your own Yixing tea set, all you have to do is look online. Or you could travel to China, but it isn't necessary anymore. You can't go wrong with a clay tea set, and you really can't get anything that is more traditional.
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Want to find out more about Yixing tea sets, then visit Gavin Coleman's site on how to choose the best tea set for your needs.