Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 130ml / 160ml - Shui Ping
A purple clay teapot is a type of handmade pottery originating from Yixing, China. Made from rare and natural purple clay, these teapots are prized for enhancing the flavor and aroma of tea while offering a distinct aesthetic appeal. The unique properties of Zisha (purple clay) make it ideal for brewing fine teas.
The Shui Ping (水平壶) Design
The name “Shui Ping” (水平) means “horizontal balance.” A classic of the Southern Chinese gongfu tea ceremony, where the teapot was traditionally set in a bowl of hot water to keep the tea warm — a well-made Shui Ping floats perfectly upright without tipping. The defining mark of the style is the “three mountains” alignment: the tip of the spout, the top of the handle, and the rim of the lid all sit on one level plane. Its balanced form has long symbolized harmony and steadiness.
Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni (小煤窑朱泥) Clay
This teapot is crafted from Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni, a prized vermilion clay from Yixing. This clay is known for its high shrinkage during firing, which demands great skill to shape fully by hand without warping. It fires to a smooth, lustrous, warm reddish-orange surface.
Key Features
- Available in 130ml and 160ml — both classic gongfu sizes
- Fully handmade from premium Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni
- True Shui Ping profile with level spout, handle, and rim
- Zhuni’s excellent heat retention suits aromatic teas such as oolong, Tieguanyin, and Dancong
A timeless, minimalist classic — equally at home in daily gongfu practice and in a collector’s cabinet.
Gongfu style (recommended)
5–7 g of leaf per 100 ml, water at 95–100 °C. Rinse once for about 5 seconds and pour it away. Start with 10–15 second infusions and add a few seconds each round. Good pu-erh gives 10 or more infusions.
Western style
3 g per 250 ml cup, water at 95–100 °C, steep 3–5 minutes.
Storage
Keep the cake in a clean, dry place away from sunlight and strong smells.
Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.
We ship from our warehouses in Canada and China to 100+ countries. Orders from our Canada warehouse are usually packed and shipped within 48 hours. Orders shipped from China need about one week of processing. Delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Some countries charge import duties. These are paid by the buyer.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 15 days. Sale items are final sale.
A purple clay teapot is a type of handmade pottery originating from Yixing, China. Made from rare and natural purple clay, these teapots are prized for enhancing the flavor and aroma of tea while offering a distinct aesthetic appeal. The unique properties of Zisha (purple clay) make it ideal for brewing fine teas.
The Shui Ping (水平壶) Design
The name “Shui Ping” (水平) means “horizontal balance.” A classic of the Southern Chinese gongfu tea ceremony, where the teapot was traditionally set in a bowl of hot water to keep the tea warm — a well-made Shui Ping floats perfectly upright without tipping. The defining mark of the style is the “three mountains” alignment: the tip of the spout, the top of the handle, and the rim of the lid all sit on one level plane. Its balanced form has long symbolized harmony and steadiness.
Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni (小煤窑朱泥) Clay
This teapot is crafted from Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni, a prized vermilion clay from Yixing. This clay is known for its high shrinkage during firing, which demands great skill to shape fully by hand without warping. It fires to a smooth, lustrous, warm reddish-orange surface.
Key Features
- Available in 130ml and 160ml — both classic gongfu sizes
- Fully handmade from premium Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni
- True Shui Ping profile with level spout, handle, and rim
- Zhuni’s excellent heat retention suits aromatic teas such as oolong, Tieguanyin, and Dancong
A timeless, minimalist classic — equally at home in daily gongfu practice and in a collector’s cabinet.
Gongfu style (recommended)
5–7 g of leaf per 100 ml, water at 95–100 °C. Rinse once for about 5 seconds and pour it away. Start with 10–15 second infusions and add a few seconds each round. Good pu-erh gives 10 or more infusions.
Western style
3 g per 250 ml cup, water at 95–100 °C, steep 3–5 minutes.
Storage
Keep the cake in a clean, dry place away from sunlight and strong smells.
Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.
We ship from our warehouses in Canada and China to 100+ countries. Orders from our Canada warehouse are usually packed and shipped within 48 hours. Orders shipped from China need about one week of processing. Delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Some countries charge import duties. These are paid by the buyer.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 15 days. Sale items are final sale.
Creator reviews
Be the first creator to review this tea
Make a video, blog post or social post about this tea. Our favourite reviews are featured right here on the product page, with your name and a link to your channel.
- Free tea samples
- Your review featured here, with credit
- A personal discount code to share
Reviews
What tea drinkers say
Reviews scored with the Pu'er Tea Association's 2026 tasting method: five factors, a weighted score out of 100 and a shared vocabulary. How it works
No tasting reviews for this pu-erh yet.
Brew it, then score it the way professional tasters do: five factors, a weighted score out of 100 and the standard's tasting words. It takes about three minutes.
Get $10 off your next order for your first tasting review.
Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 130ml / 160ml - Shui Ping