Shui Ping (水平) Dicaoqing Yixing Teapot

Shui Ping Dicaoqing Teapot | Yixing Zisha
水平 底槽青 | 宜兴紫砂

Studio:    Fu Zhen Zhai
Clay:    Dicaoqing
Capacity:    165ml
Half-hand made by studio Fu Zhen Zhai, in Dingshan, Yixing


This piece was commissioned by Fu Zhen Zhai workshop, a specialist studio with a technical focus on ore processing, clay tempering and firing techniques. The studio mostly collects fine and unique Zini and Duanni clays and crafts them into classic, practical pieces.

With their techniques, this studio produces some of the most breathable Zisha teapots. A large number of our own daily gong fu teapots are commissioned from this studio. Their quickness to season is impressive, considering that we avoid pouring tea liquid on the outside of the teapot and instead let them develop a patina naturally from the inside out.

This Shui Ping teapot is a classic shape, simple looking yet with a smooth clay surface, a perfection with texture. The deep earthy tone conveys a rather grounding effect for the eyes at a tea table.  

ABOUT THE CLAY
This is a high quality Dicaoqing (底槽青) with excellent granularity and composition. Very tactile and textured when newly fired, this clay will develop a smooth lustre and a richer hue quickly upon repeated use with hot water.

CARE OF YOUR ZISHA
1. To clean your new teapot, first rinse well inside and out with lukewarm water. Then fill with hot water just off the boil, steep for 30s and pour out. Repeat the hot water rinse 2-3 times as needed.
2. Brew your favorite tea!
3. After the session, empty the spent leaf and rinse out well with hot water. Dry the exterior gently with a soft cloth if needed to remove any stains that remain.
4. Air dry in a well-ventilated area with the lid removed. 

Other Tips:

• Never use detergent or any other cleaning agent on Zisha!
• Our Zisha is top quality; boiling with tea leaves (or tofu) before use is not needed.
• Your teapot will develop a patina through regular use and care. Avoid pouring tea over the exterior of the pot to hasten the process, this will quickly result in a “dirty” looking pot.