Yixing Zisha Dragon Egg Tea Set

Yixing Zisha teaware is celebrated worldwide for its unparalleled qualities. Its exceptionally dense yet perfectly porous structure boasts an unseen double-pore composition, providing remarkable breathability without any leakage. This unique characteristic is key to its ability to preserve the vibrant color, enticing aroma, and rich flavor of your tea for extended periods. With dedicated nurturing, your Yixing Zisha pieces will gradually develop a magnificent "patina" (包浆) – a lustrous, smooth surface that deepens in beauty and character with every use, reflecting your tea journey.

As a protected geographical indication product of China, Yixing Zisha holds profound cultural and artistic significance. A poetic ode aptly captures its prestige: "What are earthly jewels worth, when Yixing Zisha is paramount?" This verse unequivocally speaks to the immense value and esteemed status of Yixing Zisha, making it a true treasure for any tea lover.

Yixing Zisha is famously known as "Wuse Tu" or "Five-Color Earth," a testament to its rich and varied palette of natural clays, including purple, black, green, yellow, azure, and reddish-brown. The fundamental categories of Zisha clay are Zini (purple clay), Hongni (red clay), and Duanni (duan clay).

This exquisite set is meticulously crafted entirely from authentic, original ore Zi Ni (purple clay). The "Dragon Egg" (Longdan) teapot, a timeless design dating back to the Ming Dynasty, embodies flowing, natural lines and a robust, dignified, and harmonious overall form. It is perfectly complemented by the two accompanying tea cups, also made from the same revered Zi Ni clay, creating a cohesive and exceptional tea experience.

This tea set comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Instructions for Use & Seasoning

Awakening Your Zisha Set This Yixing Zisha tea set is incredibly versatile, ideal for savoring various teas, though it excels particularly with Oolong and Pu-erh teas. Before its inaugural use, the entire set requires a special Seasoning process, much like preparing a cast-iron pan, to awaken the clay and begin its journey of flavor absorption.

1. Initial Cleanse: Rinse both the teapot and tea cups thoroughly with clean water.
2. Heat Expansion: Pour boiling water over all pieces of the set to encourage the Zisha's pores to expand with heat.
3. First Infusion: Discard the water. Select a tea type (it's recommended to continue using this same tea type for future brews with this set) and brew it in the teapot (do not pour out or drink).
4. Cup Infusion: Gently wipe the tea cups with the used tea leaves from the initial brew. Then, rinse the cups with boiling water, repeating this process a few times to allow the tea essence to gradually permeate the clay.
5. Cool & Rinse: Once the tea in the teapot has completely cooled, discard it and rinse all pieces of the set. Your Zisha tea set is now seasoned and ready for enjoyment!

Daily Maintenance

Before each brewing session, you may pre-warm the entire tea set by rinsing with hot water.

After brewing, thoroughly clean all pieces promptly and wipe them dry, ensuring they remain arid.

Crucially, never use chemical detergents as they can compromise the unique flavor-enhancing qualities of your Zisha teaware.

Cultivating the Patina ("Bao Jiang")

While brewing, as the teapot's temperature rises and its pores expand, use a dedicated soft brush dipped in cool water to gently brush the teapot's surface. This technique allows more tea oils to penetrate deeper into the clay, contributing to the formation of a luminous and smooth patina.

After brewing, while the teapot is still warm, use a semi-dry cloth to polish it. This helps ensure the patina develops uniformly across the surface.