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Teapot Style: Shui Ping
- Material: Qinghui Duanni
- Vintage/Year: 2025 (Lunar Year of the Wood Snake)
- Artisan: Liu Juan
- Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Capacity: 200 ml
The “Shui Ping”
The “Shui Ping” (水平), or "Level" teapot, is a quintessential Yixing classic prized for its minimalist elegance and technical balance. Its name stems from the traditional requirement that the teapot must float perfectly level when placed in water—a feat achieved by aligning the tip of the spout, the rim of the opening, and the top of the handle on a single horizontal plane. This symmetry ensures a smooth, steady pour and refined handling, making it a "gold standard" design that prioritizes functional precision and timeless proportions over ornate decoration.
About the Artist: Liu Juan
Liu Juan is known for her meticulous attention to traditional forms. Her work often emphasizes the inherent beauty of the raw clay, avoiding over-decoration in favor of clean lines and perfect proportions. This "Shui Ping" is a testament to her ability to master one of the most difficult "simple" shapes in the Zisha repertoire.
Exquisite Aged Clay: Qinghui Duanni (青灰段泥) is a sophisticated variety of Yixing clay distinguished by its understated bluish-grey tone and characteristic sandy texture. A variety of Duanni, it often features minute mineral specks that create a "starry" visual depth after firing. Highly valued for its superior breathability and porous structure, this clay is particularly responsive to seasoning, developing a soft, antique-like luster over time. Its cool, muted aesthetic and refined tactile quality make it a favorite for those seeking a minimalist alternative to traditional earthy-toned teapots.
Tea Pairing for Duanni
Duanni (Duan Clay) is celebrated for its unique "breathability" and high porosity. Often ranging in color from pale yellow to a distinct bluish-grey (like Qinghui Duan Ni), this clay is the perfect companion for teas that require a gentle touch and clarity of flavor.
The key characteristics of Duanni determine its ideal pairings:
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Superior Air Permeability: Due to its high sand content, Duanni allows for excellent air circulation during the brewing process. This helps to dissipate excess heat and prevents delicate tea leaves from "stewing" or becoming bitter.
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Aromatic Clarity: Unlike denser clays that trap heat and emphasize body, Duanni is prized for its ability to preserve "high" notes and floral fragrances, making the tea soup taste crisp and clean.
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Visual Transformation: Duanni is particularly rewarding to "season" (cultivate). Because of its light and porous nature, it absorbs tea oils readily, gradually developing a deep, warm patina that reflects the specific tea you choose to brew.
Recommended Tea Pairings for Duanni
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Raw Pu-erh (Sheng Puerh): The breathability of Duanni is perfect for young Raw Pu-erh, as it helps soften any sharp bitterness while highlighting floral and camphor aromas.
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Green Tea: Varieties like Longjing (Dragon Well) or Bi Luo Chun thrive in Duanni, as the clay prevents the water temperature from staying too high for too long, preserving the tea's fresh, grassy profile.
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White Tea: Whether it is Silver Needle or White Peony, the gentle nature of Duanni ensures these delicate leaves are not over-extracted, maintaining their natural sweetness and light floral body.
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Light Oolongs: For fragrance-heavy teas like Tieguanyin or Taiwanese High Mountain Oolongs, Duanni provides a clean stage that lets the floral scent shine without becoming muddy.
