How to identify a zisha teapot

Teapots made out of zisha (紫砂) clay are reputed ideal for brewing wulong teas (乌龙茶) or Chinese black teas (黑茶). They get even better over time, if you “raise” them by only brewing one type of tea per pot. If you are looking to buy a zisha teapot, here are some tricks to distinguish between zisha teapots and ordinary clay teapots:

• When you touch a good quality zisha teapot with your hands, it feels a little sandy, not completely smooth.
• When you take the lid of a good quality zisha teapot and gently knock on the pot with it, it should make a deep sound. Unlike the high-pitched sound you would get with porcelain.
• A new and unused zisha teapot should not be too bright and shiny in colour. It will get this aspect with time and use.
• When you pour boiling water over  a good quality zisha teapot, it should quickly absorb the water.
• The demand for zisha teapots is high and the clay in itself is much rarer that normal clay. The quality of the craftwork being equal, a zisha teapot should be more expensive than a teapot made with normal clay.

The elements considered in this article just concern the quality of the material used to make the teapots. The design of the teapot, the skill and fame of the artist, etc. are also elements to take into consideration.