Understanding the Most Common Yixing Clay Types

Yixing teapots are not only vessels for brewing tea—they are also artistic creations that embody both tea culture and traditional Chinese craftsmanship. When choosing a Yixing teapot, it is essential to first understand the clay itself. After all, the clay influences the value of the teapot, and reflects its cultural significance. (Simply put, precious clay is rarely used for semi-handmade or industrial-grade teapots, nor would it be entrusted to apprentices. Moreover, different clays vary in texture, appearance, mineral content, and overall character, all of which can significantly affect the tea-drinking experience.)

 

If you would like to learn which types of tea are suitable for Yixing teapots and how to properly use and maintain them, please refer to the article linked below.

 The Art of Using a Purple Clay Teapot: A Guide to Brewing, Care, and Appreciation

Today, let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of Yixing clay.

 Black Clay (黑泥-Hei Ni)

This clay is as dark as ink, resembling the vast night sky dotted with shimmering stars. Mysterious and elegant, it has long been beloved by tea enthusiasts. Because the ore contains a high level of iron, the teapot becomes darker and more lustrous with use over time. New teapots may carry a noticeable earthy aroma at first, but after several days of brewing tea, the scent stabilizes and the clay deepens to a rich, ink-black tone.

 

Golden Duan Clay (黄金段泥-Huangjin Duanni)

Also known as Golden Duan, this rare clay is sourced from Huanglong Mountain. The raw ore appears pale green, with layers only 10–20 cm thick and distributed in chain-like veins, making extraction difficult. Due to its limited reserves, it is considered especially precious. After firing, the clay transforms into a pure golden hue. It has good oiliness and develops a rich patina over time, becoming increasingly vibrant with continued use.

 

Di Cao Qing（底槽清）

A high-quality variety within the Zini (purple clay) family, Di Cao Qing is found at the lower layers of the ore body. Its texture is fine and pure. Once fired, it becomes firm, smooth, and subtly glossy, displaying a natural brown tone. The overall impression is simple, steady, warm, and understated. It seasons quickly, gaining depth and a soft luster with use, and enhances the tea’s aroma and flavor, becoming more elegant over time.

 

Zhuni (朱泥-Vermilion Clay)

Zhuni teapots are typically small in size. Unlike other Yixing clays, Zhuni has a dense structure and relatively weak sandy texture. It also has a very high shrinkage rate during drying and firing, which is why every Zhuni teapot is truly unique. Crafting a well-shaped Zhuni pot requires exceptional skill, making high-quality pieces highly prized.

 

Da Hong Pao (大红袍-Big Red Robe Clay)

Originating from Zhaozhuang Mountain and Huangshi in Yixing, this clay appears pale yellow when first mined, then transforms into a vivid vermilion after firing. Tiny iron particles or silver-colored specks may occasionally be seen on the surface. Da Hong Pao is considered an extremely rare variety of Zhuni, with many original ore sources now nearly exhausted.

 

Jiangpo Clay (降坡泥-Jiangponi)

In the early 1990s, during the construction of the Taodu Road linking Dingshan and Yixing, workers accidentally unearthed this clay while cutting into a hillside—hence the name “Jiangpo Clay.” Its discovery was entirely accidental, and the quantity found was very small, making it one of the rarest Yixing clays.

 

Old Purple Clay (老紫泥-Lao Zini)

Often preserved as old family stock, this clay typically appears as dense, purplish-brown chunks. It is relatively hard and often displays greenish speckled patterns; larger speckles are frequently bordered by smaller ones. Once fired, the clay takes on a soft, warm tone and develops an elegant sheen after only a short period of use.

 

Of course, there are more than thirty varieties of Yixing clay in total. This article covers only the most commonly seen types available on the market today.