Three teapots for three kinds tea

Few months ago, maybe it is already half of year, I got interesting order from one of my customers. It was that kind of order where I know from very beginning that I am going to like doing it. Let me slightly paraphrase his words...


"I am interested to have three teapots - all three should hold 50-70ml. Materials and glazes are up to you - if it will be OK with you I would like to ask you to make those teapots in order to fit to tea I going to use them for. The First should be for ShengPu, the second for ShuPu and the third for Yancha oolongs. I have only few thoughts...Lids shouldn't be sunk but rather wider then opening so I can pour hot water on it during my brewing. I prefer ball-shaped forms with as wide opening as possible for the size. Only the one for YanCha rather taller as it will be better for longer leaves of some teas of this kind. I am not in hurry - when those teapots will be ready I would like ask you to send them to me without showing even pictures - I look forward to surprise when I will open the box from you. "

     I was quite sure about material for ShengPu. Combination which I have on the teapot I use for my Shengs. Technical porcelain with celadon glaze inside.

Ash and fire decorated it during firing - only small flowery stamp from me on the side of the handle.

 

1998 Xia Guan Bao Yan Jin Cha - surprisingly smooth

Thinking about pot for Shu Puer I realized that it should be more spherical. I usually use bigger (150ml) teapot or shiboridashi for my Shu so I am really curious how it will work. High iron clay will help to smooth out brews - I have left it without glaze. 

2009 Red Label LongFeng production - creamy, full body, young but already tasty...

 
 
The teapot for YanCha was challenging. How can I create the right teapot for Wui oolong with no experiences with them? Ok, I had some experiences but most of them with over roasted, low grade teas with not many character. First I find old issue of The Art of Tea magazin with several interesting articles focused on Wui. Then going through and enjoying several samples of different cultivars, from different years and different suppliers I find out that "Wui compartment" is something what is definitely worth to pay attention.  


 I chose light stoneware with fine sand in it. Pear shape and again inside it is without glaze. Only outside I couldn't help myself - feldspar on the side have created kind of celadon glaze and cracks on it are going to show off by tea

2010 Hand made RouGui Wuyi sended from The Essence of tea 

 
My customer already unpacked the box with his new teapots and I am happy that his first sensations are good. I look forward to hear if clays and shapes of those small pieces richen his tea sessions.

Last but not least I would like to mention new tea testing. New for me of course. When I was thinking about this post I thought it would be interesting to show, as kind of illustration, liquor of each tea. Finally I decided to prepare all teas at a time. I didn't use teapots made for my customer but my small teapots and Peter Fulop’s and two Korean cups. It is very interesting -smelling to three different teas, to wet leaves, see and taste infusions. Compare beyond compare. Happy moments.

Shu                                                                   Sheng                                                                 RouGui