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

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.

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Kiaharii said

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.

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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

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.

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

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 :)

How would you rate your Pumpkin Yixing, Azzrian?

Azzrian said

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.

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

Azzrian said

I sure will Rachel! :)

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

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

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

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I could also use this advice!!

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Zen Tea said

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

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

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

Azzrian said

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

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

Azzrian said

I will :)

Zoltar said

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 ?

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ashmanra said

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

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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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

no, but my boxer’s name is Lily :)

Zoltar said

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

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

YAY, Zoltar ! :D

mrmopar said

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.

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

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mrmopar said

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.

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steepster_ said

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

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