Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Xi Shi" | 西施 - 250ml

• Teapot Style: "Xi Shi" | 西施
• Material: Original Ore Tianqing Ni  | 原矿天青泥
• Craftsmanship: Fully Handmade | 全手工
• Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China | 中国江苏宜兴
• Capacity: 250 ml

Product Story & Description

The Name: "Xi Shi"

Named after Xi Shi, one of the legendary Four Beauties of ancient China, this teapot's design is inspired by her graceful and voluptuous figure. In Chinese tea culture, the Xi Shi teapot symbolizes elegance, feminine beauty, and timeless charm, making it one of the most iconic and beloved teapot shapes.

Design & Craftsmanship

This 250ml teapot perfectly captures the classic minimalist beauty of the "Xi Shi" style. It features a perfectly round and plump body, a delicate short spout, a charming pearl-like lid knob, and a traditional inverted handle.

Tianqing Ni (Azure Clay) is the absolute pinnacle of Zisha, revered as the "King of Zi Ni." Nearly depleted since the late Qing Dynasty(early 20 century), authentic Huanglong Mountain ore is a highly coveted collector’s treasure. Named for its raw grayish-blue state—resembling a sky clearing after rain—it fires into a profound, dark liver-red. When showered with hot water, the clay awakens with a jade-like luster and a subtle, inner cyan glow.

Unlike the granular feel of regular Zi Ni, Tianqing Ni is incredibly fine and smooth. Its silk-like texture beautifully absorbs tea oils, quickly developing a stunning patina (Bao Jiang). Functionally, its dual-porosity structure excels at "softening" water far beyond ordinary clay. It breathes with the tea, naturally absorbing harshness to elevate the brew into a profoundly rich, velvety mouthfeel.

Tianqing Ni is perfectly suited for rich, aged, or heavily oxidized teas. We highly recommend pairing Tianqing Ni teapots with: Dark Oolong, Pu'er teas (both Raw and Ripe), Aged White Teas, and Heavily Roasted Oolongs (such as Wuyi Rock Tea).