The Unique Material of Yixing - Zisha, has created a large number of skilled artisans and made Yixing a famous pottery capital. The precious wealth created by them and the exquisite craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations are proofs of the craft and quality. Therefore, Zisha is a unique material, a craft, a quality, and a moral discipline!
1. Why do I use the same type of tea to season two teapots, and one seasons faster than the other? Is the other one fake?
Answer: It may be because the two teapots are made of different clay materials, or the same type of clay has different particle sizes, resulting in different seasoning speeds. For example, Duan Ni (段泥) may season relatively slower, but once seasoned, it can be very beautiful, so it doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem with the clay material.
2. I have just started to get in touch with Zisha and have little experience. I want to buy a Zisha teapot that can be used by about two or three people. What size is better?
Answer: Generally, when determining the capacity of a Zisha teapot, we usually categorize them into five types under normal circumstances, excluding extreme works:
A. Teapots with a capacity of 130cc or less are called special small teapots (recommended for individual use);
B. Teapots with a capacity of over 130cc and up to 200cc can be called small teapots (suitable for two people to share tea);
C. Teapots with a capacity of over 200cc and up to 350cc can be called medium-sized teapots (for friends to enjoy tea and chat);
D. Teapots with a capacity of over 350cc and up to 600cc can be called large teapots (suitable for three to five people);
E. Teapots with a capacity of over 600cc can be called extra-large teapots (regardless of how many people are coming tonight!); For two or three people drinking tea, it is recommended to choose a medium-sized teapot, approximately around 300cc.
3. Does a senior craftsman always make better teapots than an assistant craftsman?
Answer: Not necessarily. Whether a teapot is good or not depends on the craftsmanship and clay material of the teapot itself, as well as personal preference. It should not be solely judged by the title. Relying solely on the title may overlook many skilled and excellent works.
4. Can a Zisha teapot that costs only tens of dollars be used? Answer: Basically, I think the cheapest Zisha teapot that can be used should cost a few hundred dollars. Those that cost only tens of yuan may be for display purposes. Since the purpose of buying a teapot is for brewing tea, and ultimately drinking it, it is not recommended to use such low-priced teapots.
5. Why are square teapots generally more expensive than round teapots? Answer: In terms of practical teapots, square teapots are generally more expensive than round teapots because, apart from the charm of a teapot, purely in terms of the manufacturing process, square teapots are more complex. The requirements for points, surfaces, and lines are more intricate, making them more difficult to handle, and thus requiring more time and higher costs. However, this is not absolute. In a higher level of artistry, there is no distinction between square teapots, round teapots, or even flower-patterned teapots and muscle-patterned teapots. The price cannot be purely determined by the complexity of the manufacturing process.
6. Why do teapots made of the same Duan Ni clay have such different colors?
Answer: This is because Duan Ni clay also has many varieties, such as Huang Jin Duan (黄金段), Lao Duan ni(老段), and ZhiMa Duan ni(芝麻段). The firing temperature also affects the color of the teapot, so they are not all the same. In fact, this question also applies Zini (紫泥) and Zhu Ni (朱泥). They are only category names, and there are many subcategories within each type. Even within a specific category, the color of the clay materials in different people's hands can vary. It's similar to the difference between the Red Fuji apples in my home and the Red Fuji apples in your home, the taste will not be exactly the same.
7. Is Zini clay easier to season than Hongni clay?
Answer: This cannot be generalized. Different teapot shapes need to be paired with different types of tea, which affects the seasoning speed. Therefore, the seasoning process depends on the clay material, teapot shape, and type of tea used. Additionally, the particle size of the clay and firing temperature also have an impact, making it difficult to determine. However, one thing is certain: with good clay material and careful seasoning, the teapot will turn out to be very beautiful.
8. I want to buy a teapot as a gift for a friend. How can I maintain it for long-term use?
Answer: The maintenance of a Zisha teapot requires attention to many details, such as wiping the teapot dry every day, avoiding contact with greasy substances, and trying to only brew one type of tea in it.
9. Is it impossible for two identical Gu Chun (供春) teapots to be made? My friend really liked the one I have. Can the craftsman make another identical one?
Answer: The Gu Chun teapot has complex and ever-changing patterns, so even the same craftsman cannot make two completely identical teapots. They can only make them generally similar. There are no two identical Gu Chun teapots in the world.
10. Is there a quick way to season a Zisha teapot?
Answer: Yes, we have professional teapot seasoning masters locally, and it only takes a day to see the effect. In essence, it is quite simple. It involves accelerating the usual seasoning process and intensifying it within a day. However, if there is no special requirement, it is not necessary to do this. The seasoning process itself is full of many pleasures. Different seasoning methods, types of tea used, and the time taken will all have varying degrees of impact on the seasoning effect. There is no such thing as the best seasoning effect. When you season a teapot with care and affection, the result will be the most satisfying.
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