Mastering the Yixing Method
Enhance your tea ritual with a porous clay teapot. From the famed Yixing region in China’s Jiangsu province to the renowned kilns of Jianshui and Chaozhou, these unglazed vessels—crafted from mineral-rich clay—interact with your tea to enhance its flavors and unlock the full potential of every steep. Learn how to bring out the best in your cup with our simple guide to porous clay steeping below.
What You'll Need:
- Yixing teapot (or other porous clay teapot)
- Gong Dao Bei (sharing pitcher)
- Tea cups
- Premium loose leaf tea
- Hot water (or a hot water kettle)
- Optional: Tea boat, waste bowl, tea utensils, tea tray, tea towel
1. Warm, Steam, Rinse
- Warm your teaware: Pour boiling water into your Yixing teapot, then transfer it to the Gong Dao Bei (pitcher) and tea cups to warm them; this preps your vessels. Discard the water.
- Awaken the leaves: Add loose leaf tea to the warmed teapot and cover. Let the steam soften the leaves and release their fragrance.
- Savor the moment: Lift the lid and inhale the fragrant aroma of the warmed leaves. Take this time and connect with the tea's aromas.
- Optional rinse: For aged, compressed, or tightly rolled teas, you can choose to quickly rinse the leaves with hot water to help them unfurl and unlock deeper flavor. Pour hot water over the leaves and discard the rinse immediately.
2. Steep
- Pour hot water over the leaves, filling the teapot.
- Replace the lid and let the tea steep for the recommended time based on your tea type.
- For teas that need to stay extra hot—like Puerh—consider using a tea boat to pour hot water over the pot and maintain its temperature.
3. Pour
- Hold the teapot handle and gently place your forefinger on the lid—just be careful not to cover the air hole.
- Pour smoothly into your cup(s) or sharing pitcher. If pouring directly into cups, move the stream from cup to cup to ensure an even pour.
4. Sip & Repeat
- Enjoy every sip—then steep again.
- For each infusion, extend the steep time slightly to draw out deeper flavors.
- Notice how the tea evolves with each steep—new layers of taste and aroma unfold.
A Deeper Taste: The Art of Steeping
To fully appreciate the artistry and nuanced flavors of tea, it's important to honor its traditional preparation. Steeping tea as it is prepared in its place of origin unlocks its unique layers and subtle notes, creating a sensory journey that reveals the true character of the leaf and deepens our connection to its heritage.
Enhanced Flavor Control
Short, repeated steeps allow us to savor each stage of the brewing process. As the water interacts with the leaf, different flavors and aromas emerge at each stage. These are nuances that can be missed when blended together in a single long steep.
Sustained Energy, No Jitters
Most of the caffeine infuses in the first 60 seconds of steeping. By stretching out the steeping process, we can spread the caffeine intake, providing a smoother, more gradual energy boost—without the sudden jolt.
Respecting the Leaf
By steeping the tea until every bit of flavor is extracted, we ensure nothing goes to waste. Given the care that goes into crafting each tea, it’s only right to make the most of every leaf.
More Time to Savor Every Steep
The longer we steep, the more time we have to unwind and connect—with the tea, with others, and with ourselves. Who doesn't love a good excuse to slow down?
Explore Our Yixing & Clay Teapots
Enhance your tea ritual with authentic Yixing teapots direct from Yixing, China.
Unlock Deeper Flavors
Teas for the Yixing Experience
Discover expertly selected Oolongs and Pu-erhs, perfect for unlocking the transformative power of Yixing clay. These teas complement Yixing teapots, revealing rich, multi-layered flavors for an elevated tea journey.
Explore Other Steeping Methods
Learn more about these styles to perfect your steep.
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Western Steeping
For those who love a large mug, single steep or high tea, these tips are for you