Yixing vs Jianshui Teapots & Teaware: Differences & Similarities

[@oafybread]

So clear and so chic! Hope you guys are keeping well in the midst of everything!

[@BitterleafTeas]

Many thanks! We're hanging in there, finding time to make new videos while we ride this out :)

[@Openness]

Immaculate video!! Thank you so much friend!

[@BitterleafTeas]

My pleasure!

[@NoahZwill]

Yooo this is amazing. Keep it up!

[@BitterleafTeas]

🙏🙏🙏

[@somedude2748]

More of these videos would be fantastic!

[@BitterleafTeas]

Duly noted! We'll try to expand on these

[@somedude2748]

@@BitterleafTeas high production value and aesthetic tea videos are sorely lacking on KZbin!

[@BitterleafTeas]

@@somedude2748 We're flattered, and now motivated too! 🙏

[@mackenzielee2627]

Hi where do you get your teapot featured at your video on 0:06? It is very nice

[@BitterleafTeas]

That's a pot we used to sell way back in 2017, but they became difficult to restock eventually.

[@TheCynthiaRice]

Great video!

[@BitterleafTeas]

Thank you! :)

[@kendrickbelmonte9889]

Your production is amazing. Very informative.

[@BitterleafTeas]

Many thanks!

[@myteaflow1119]

Very nice👌✨ Definitely I will love to see more of this videos.

[@BitterleafTeas]

🙏 I think we'll have to try to make more then!

[@tracyleal2609]

That was wonderful thank you.

[@horstpruffa]

any difference between the white and purple jianshui clay pots when picking/pairing with matching tea types? are both suitable for the same teas, or is the minerality of the clay different?

[@BitterleafTeas]

They're actually quite similar, from what we can tell. The main differences are cosmetic. The white clay tends to shrink a bit more during firing, but all colours seem quite dense and tend to interact with the tea in the same way. The main reason I would consider one tea over another for white Jianshui clay is that it will stain. So darker teas will require more wiping down or you'll have to accept that it won't be a "white" pot for very long!

[@bryanooi8815]

We Chinese basically use YiXing pots, Jian Shui is really lessen known stuffs. I need to find out more.

[@BitterleafTeas]

Jianshui is certainly less famous and less common than Yixing, but it's been developing quite a bit more over the years. A lot of potters and makers from Yixing are now lending their expertise in Jianshui which has also helped.

[@YouYou-jr8hs]

Is the way the teapots pour (smooth laminar flow vs turbulent flow) one of the determining factors of a high quality vs low quality teapot?

[@BitterleafTeas]

Some people will use this as a criteria for judging a teapot, pouring from high up and observing the stream. This can be an indicator of craftsmanship, but is also affected by the teapot shape/style. In reality though, nobody pours from that high - it's usually only just above the gongdaobei, so it's not the most important thing to us. The main factor that will affect the tea in your cup is the rate of flow. But overall yes, more expensive pots made with attention to detail should have a smoother pour.

[@16jchan]

Love the storm trooper Jian shui (?) dragon egg tea pot. Do you guys sell them or have them made especially?? 😄😄

[@BitterleafTeas]

Thanks! Unfortunately we have to consider that custom made fan art... can't sell it without being in big trouble 😉

[@wei-chuenchen725]

Do you know where I buy the tools to make these teapots? Some sites I found don't look it has the quality of tools as the professional teapot makers. I.e mallet

[@BitterleafTeas]

I think Yixing would probably be the best place to buy tools for slab making pots. I can't recall seeing anything anywhere else. Perhaps there's a shop on Toabao that has them? Otherwise you might have to improvise a bit!

[@SDArgo_FoC]

Can just ask some woodworker to make it for you

[@missourimongoose8858]

I wonder if they ever use clays from different parts of the world

[@BitterleafTeas]

I don't think much clay is imported into China to make teapots, but I imagine there are sources of clay in other countries that have similar properties.

[@archkde]

@@BitterleafTeas You already know this, but for others' reference, a good example would be Tokoname in Japan!

[@totoys1573]

I just wanted to have a food-grade clay teapot, the artistry and how it was made comes second😅

[@plantmage9850]

Excuse me they MANUALLY shape their teapots??

[@BitterleafTeas]

Yeah

[@plantmage9850]

@@BitterleafTeas that is impressive as hell. How they had the patience to learn that is beyond me

[@BitterleafTeas]

@@plantmage9850 It's beyond me as well. I think with practice they get quite proficient, but it takes a lot of skill.

[@MykeeSteen]

Don’t order from Bitterleaf! They’ll take $200 of your money, send you the wrong item TWICE, and never apologize for it!

[@TheChibiZel]

Professional stunt gaiwan X'D

[@BitterleafTeas]

Do not try this at home⚠️

[@TheDudeKicker]

wow. how superficial.

[@BitterleafTeas]

It can definitely always go (a lot) deeper, but that would be a longer/different video. If you have any interesting details related to zisha/zitao we didn't cover and think we should, please share!

[@thebongmaster]

i just got a red clay tea set from a used shop, but am having trouble identifying it. i only really found etsy or ebay listings of the same set with differing art for wildly differing prices. also baseless claims on rarity, and age. any idea how i can identify my set? i know its going to be a cheap set, and no more than 40-50 years old. i know its thrown on a wheel as i can see evidence of that in the pot.

[@giangiair]

great video!

[@BitterleafTeas]

Thanks!