Handmade Yixing Purple Clay Teapot 200ml - Xi Shi

• Teapot Style: "Xi Shi"
• Material: Aged Raw Ore Zini (Lao Zini)
• Vintage/Year: 2025 (Lunar Year of the Wood Snake)
• Artisan: Wu Lijun
• Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
• Capacity: 200 ml

The "Xi Shi" Teapot: Timeless Elegance in Aged Purple Clay

The Legend of Xi Shi: Named after one of the legendary "Four Beauties" of ancient China, the Xi Shi shape is celebrated for its graceful, rounded body and minimalist design. It is perhaps the most beloved and essential silhouette for any serious tea collector.

Exquisite Aged Clay: This piece is handcrafted from Aged Raw Ore Zini (Lao Zi Ni). Having been weathered and aged naturally, this clay offers superior breathability and a warm, mellow texture. It is highly responsive to "seasoning" (nourishing the pot), developing a lustrous, mirror-like patina over time that reflects the care of its owner.

Heritage & Artistry: Hand-created in 2025 (the Year of the Wood Snake), each teapot bears the personal seal of artisan Wu Lijun, ensuring its authenticity and collectible value. A perfect blend of functional art and Zen aesthetics.

Tea Pairing for Zini

The fundamental principle of pairing lies in how the clay interacts with the tea's characteristics:

• Heat Management: Zini excels at maintaining high, steady temperatures, which is crucial for extracting the deep, complex flavors of fermented or roasted teas.
• Flavor Refinement: Its moderate porosity allows the clay to "breathe," subtly absorbing harsh or astringent notes while smoothing out the overall texture of the tea liquor.
• Aromatic Balance: While denser clays like Zhuni are used to highlight high floral notes, Zini is favored for its ability to ground a tea, emphasizing its body, sweetness, and earthy mineral depth.

Whether you are brewing a robust Ripe Pu-erh, a smoky Black Tea, or a complex Wuyi Rock Tea, a well-paired Zini teapot will "season" over time, developing a unique luster while consistently improving the quality of every cup.