Insence&Tea said 2012-09-22 12:54:11 -0400

What are some quality yixing tea pot vendors

Just like the title, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas what vendors have quality yixing teapots, for a decent price?

37 Replies

mrmopar said 2012-09-23 07:06:41 -0400

i would have to say mandala tea. they have some on their site. a good quality one will cost a little of moolah, but they tend to pour better than the cheaper ones. i also have one i bought from a vendor on ebay called go street shop.it is a larger one about 6 ounces as most of the sizes run from 100ml to 250 ml or about a third to half of an 8oz cup.

Kiaharii said 2012-09-23 08:45:51 -0400

Good question, I’ve been looking into getting my first one. I know Teavivre started selling them but I don’t know about the quality. A lot of people here buy from there so maybe someone can give feedback.

Insence&Tea said 2012-09-23 23:43:18 -0400

I looked on mandala tea but I’m really trying to get a tea pot thats 120ml or less. I saw the teavivre ones but I haven’t seen any reviews on quality yet. I’ll probably wait until I can talk to someone who has one before I order.

Azzrian said 2012-09-24 01:24:25 -0400

I just got a set from teavivre. I love it. The “ting” it makes is so clear and good, and the pot and cups and sharing vessel seem to be a little different from others in that they are thinner – which in china is a good thing – I have no idea about yixing but they look great, sound great – I just got them though and have not had a chance to season or use yet.
For the price – I feel they are excellent quality and I trust Teavivre would not sell junk.
I got the set that came with the sharing vessel, the pot, the cups, the strainer etc. The only bummer was in the photo there is a thing made of wood it looks like that holds all the cups – you don’t get that – I was kinda looking forward to that but I also noticed it was not listed in the items you get so I pretty much figured it was not included – just wish it had been.

Insence&Tea said 2012-09-24 19:23:11 -0400

Let me know how it is once you get it. I’m almost 100% sure I’m getting it from here because of the customer service and quality products I’ve received so far, I just like to hear some outside opinions before I order.

Azzrian said 2012-09-24 19:31:47 -0400

I did get it – thats how I know it was thinner than other yixing I have :)
I probably didn’t make that clear though – it sounded like I had just ordered it.
Ive been in a perpetual brain fuzz for days now.
Yes I got it – I like them – I don’t know if yixing should be thin meaning better quality as in china but I like it – it makes a lovely ting sound which is good. The feel is right on, the grain looks right, everything checks out positive :)

RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas said 2012-09-24 19:43:42 -0400

How would you rate your Pumpkin Yixing, Azzrian?

Azzrian said 2012-09-24 23:05:04 -0400

I love it rachel :)
I have not yet seasoned it either – I have an idea of what I am looking for to season it with though…. :) Something SEASONAL haha but seriously though.

RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas said 2012-09-25 16:27:41 -0400

So happy to hear it. Do let me know how you like it once seasoned. Thanks :)

Azzrian said 2012-09-25 16:55:46 -0400

I sure will Rachel! :)

Insence&Tea said 2012-10-06 19:47:37 -0400

I scrounged up enough money for the $55 dollar yixing teapot and am currently waiting for it to arrive. It says it shipped yesterday

Azzrian said 2012-10-06 21:28:05 -0400

Nice! Be patient – it comes from china and takes a good while.

Insence&Tea said 2012-10-06 21:29:13 -0400

How long did it take yours after it was “in transit”

humblemumble84 said 2012-09-24 04:45:25 -0400

I could also use this advice!!

Zen Tea said 2012-10-06 18:08:53 -0400

I didn’t want to advertise mine, but I have to after reading members’ post.
We carry teapots made by skilled potter with competitive price. Only $24. http://www.zentealife.com/yixing-teapot-stone-gourd-p-119.html
I had to spend a lot of time when I import Yixing because of poorly made cheap teapots. Many poorly made Yixing teapots are less than $3 in China, and I saw that these are sold over $40 in North America.
I import teapots, but there’s no reason to be extremely expensive. In China, rich teapot collectors pay more than several thousands dollars, but $20-40 teapots can be great if these were made by right potter and material.
I always use Yixing to brew Oolong and Puerh. It’s really makes your tea better. I strongly recommend to use matching teapots for different types of teas.

Babble said 2012-10-06 18:42:59 -0400

This is very intriguing! I like how they are larger sizes. I notice it says it’s best for blacks and oolongs, but what about greens?

ashmanra said 2012-10-06 18:52:50 -0400

Zen Tea – I love your tea wares! I want the dragonfly tetsubin and the matcha sifter!

Azzrian said 2012-10-06 21:30:33 -0400

What a lovely tea tray!!! The one I wanted BADLY on ebay is 100.00 MORE!
I may have to get this one instead!
http://www.zentealife.com/tray-oriental-doorlarge-p-166.html

ashmanra said 2012-10-06 22:40:46 -0400

Azzrian: That is beautiful! Let us know if you get it so we can SQUEEEE! with you!

Azzrian said 2012-10-06 22:42:43 -0400

I will :)

Zoltar said 2012-10-07 00:12:17 -0400

I really like your 24 $ yixing and i plan to order one as my first yixing teapot but i still have some difficulty understanding how to separate tea for using them ( i’m dumb some time lol ) i know i should not use black tea in a green tea yixing ( not that dumb lol ) but what about different green ? or dark and light oolong should they all get their own teapot ?

ashmanra said 2012-10-06 22:47:47 -0400

The black whisk (chasen) and their bamboo matcha spoon are prettier than any I have seen elsewhere. Classic, simple, different.

fleurdelily said 2012-10-06 23:51:16 -0400

i have bought several from an ebay store ‘Chinese Teapot Gallery Tea Culture’. http://stores.ebay.com/Chinese-Teapot-Gallery-Tea-Culture Also, just bookmarked zen tea life, very interesting site I plan to explore. I admit, I do judge an unfamiliar tea vendor by their teawares section. I can tell pretty quickly if they’re serious or not. {unrepentantly snobby?, um, YES. LOL}

I also like the black bamboo chasen, and I wish I could find a nicely priced chawan, and I could totally hijack the thread on that one. :)

Babble said 2012-10-07 01:12:28 -0400

Wow, they have some decently priced stuff. It’s good quality?

fleurdelily said 2012-10-07 01:18:08 -0400

I have 4 that are good quality from them, and one that’s so-so. And when I say ‘so-so’ I’d have to say, it doesn’t drip… so maybe I’m only reacting to the fact that I love the design slightly less than the other 4 ? also, be sure and pay close attention to the volume, they are very small. It’s gongfu stuff. All mine have a nice fit on the lids

Babble said 2012-10-07 01:27:29 -0400

Which are the 4 that you like and which one is poor quality? I’m kinda meh about the chinese characters on the side though of a lot of the pots.

fleurdelily said 2012-10-07 01:45:06 -0400

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10002485@N06/8061750511/ posted this to flickr just now, these are the ones I bought at chinese teapot gallery, and the lightest color one is my least fav, but then again, I did use it just yesterday :)

Babble said 2012-10-07 01:48:23 -0400

Awesome! Thank you so much. That pumpkin yixing one is very neat!

Also, random question, but your name isn’t Fleur by chance, is it?

Zoltar said 2012-10-07 01:51:52 -0400

is my ebay bug ? when i click on see all item (even if it say 540 item) it say that the store as 0 item but i can see the 3 cup stand and 5 teapot of the front page

fleurdelily said 2012-10-07 01:56:12 -0400

no, but my boxer’s name is Lily :)

Zoltar said 2012-10-07 02:00:53 -0400

when i click on your link the only thing i got is a ebay page that say
0 results found in all categories
Your search returned 0 items.
This Store currently has 0 listings. You can come back later or check other Stores.

for seeing some of the merchandise i have to click directly on the store name but even them i can seem to get lot of thing maybe its my computer that bug gonna try on my other one ( even if i don’t see what kind of bug can do that ) I am tech savvy that why it’s bother me lol

Zoltar said 2012-10-07 02:04:28 -0400

work perfectly on my other computer that so weird but well at least i can see the site normally now cause i also love the pumpkin one

fleurdelily said 2012-10-07 02:08:38 -0400

YAY, Zoltar ! :D

mrmopar said 2012-10-07 08:34:33 -0400

i have one from this ebayer also. a great pot 420 cc. get one with a “ball filter”. it works the best to take out most of the leaf out. still need a small strainer to pour into over your cup to take all the really fine laf out.

fleurdelily said 2012-10-07 13:41:24 -0400

for total economics, if you can find a set like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260907476103?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

from any seller, or one of the cute travelling sets that have a mini tea table included

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Travel-Bamboo-Gongfu-Tea-Set-12-Pcs-Free-Shipping-/221132018367?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337c7ed2bf

that would get a person started — they could experience they joy of gongfu tea, and develope some opinions about teaware specs, then later invest in artwork quality pieces….. that’s what I would do, if I had to start over again :) {not that I invest in artwork quality pieces, mind you ! just Sayin’}

also, the concept of travelling gongfu set is, If I understand correctly, in keeping with the philosophy of gongfu tea— to find a beautiful and peaceful surroundings, like maybe your city has a park beside a lake or something, then to gongfu there would be a lovely calming experience. The hardest part of the travelling concept is the equipment needed to boil the water, but the utensils lend themself well to portability :) if a hiker would be willing to carry all the stuff into the mountains for a hike, that would be a lovely setting for gonfu cha, or to practise chadao

mrmopar said 2012-10-07 14:16:12 -0400

berylled is a great ebayer i have a lot of their tea in my cupboard. they always send a sample of something with everything you buy ans ship very fast.

steepster_ said 2012-10-08 22:16:01 -0400

I know Grace Tea Company has some yixings though i don’t know the quality they are fairly priced!