How to Choose the Right Yixing Teapot for Different Teas

How to Choose the Right Yixing Purple Clay

Choosing the perfect Yixing Purple Clay Teapot is an art. The right teapot can enhance your tea experience, complement your brewing style, and even become a treasured collectible. Here’s a guide to help you select the ideal Yixing Purple Clay.

1. Understand the Clay Types

Yixing Purple Clays are made from different types of Zisha clay, each affecting the tea’s taste and brewing process:

• Purple Clay–Classic deep purple clay; retains heat well and is suitable for Pu-erh, Oolong, and Black tea.
• Hongni– Bright red clay with higher density; ideal for Green, White, and lightly roasted Oolong tea.
• Duanni – Light yellowish clay, more porous; enhances Aged Pu-erh and Heavily Roasted Oolong tea.
• Lvni– commonly known as “mung bean sand clay”, has the color of mung bean skin and is tantalizingly green. The teapots made from Lvni is elegant and simple. It is delicate and rich in granular beauty. Lvni Yixing Purple Clay is suitable for making teas such as light roasted oolong tea raw tea, medium roasted or heavy roasted Tieguanyin. 

In fact, there is no rigid rule on what clay matches what tea. It is rather the experience summed up by people who feel that a certain combination can bring out the aroma of tea and achieve a relatively perfect harmony between tea and pot

There is also a popular saying that the teapot should have the same color as the tea broth. It can be a simple rule to determine your teapot color.

2. Consider the Shape & Function

The shape of the teapot impacts how it brews tea:

Round-bodied teapots retain heat well, great for Oolong and Black tea.

Flat or wide teapots help release aromas, perfect for Green and lightly oxidized Oolong tea.

Tall and narrow teapots hold heat longer, making them ideal for Pu-erh and Dark tea.

3. Choose the Right Size

Small (80-150ml) – Best for solo Kung Fu Tea sessions.

Medium (150-250ml) – Ideal for 2-3 people.

Large (250ml+) – Suitable for casual brewing or serving a group.

4. Check the Craftsmanship

A well-made Yixing Purple Clay should have:

A smooth lid fit – No gaps when the lid is placed.

Perfect water flow – Pouring should be smooth, with no leaks.