Watch out the toxic Yixing clay teapots in the market
(1) How to make fake
Zisha or say Yixing clay is the special clay for YiXing tea pot. The feature of large size of clay pieces limits the volume of producing, but the demand is high. Some people mix other mud and chemical materials to "create" Zisha, and utilize methods of mold filling or pottery to quick mass produce . As same as fake ink, this kind of materials harms human healthy.
(2) How to tell
A. Smell when new
When washing by boiling water or opening a new tea pot, if the smell is aroma or stink, it is fake. The smell should like mud or soil.
B. Glossy
Regardless sellers' pictures, the new Yixing tea pot should not be glossy. The glossy of a tea pot is cultivated by years of using.
C. Price
A real very small basic Yixing clay teapot by the un-famous author in current Chinese market is about/over $50 USD
D. Color
Many colors are available for Yixing clay, but the color dose not catch eyes. Too red, too green or too other colors are chemical added. Black sand has been used out for years, so be careful about black teapots.
E. Absorbing
Pouring hot water on the tea pot, real Yixing clay absorbs water
F. Smell of tea
Keep brewed tea with/without leaves in the teapot for days. The smell inside of a fake teapot is sour/spoiled.
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(1) How to make fake
Zisha or say Yixing clay is the special clay for YiXing tea pot. The feature of large size of clay pieces limits the volume of producing, but the demand is high. Some people mix other mud and chemical materials to "create" Zisha, and utilize methods of mold filling or pottery to quick mass produce . As same as fake ink, this kind of materials harms human healthy.
(2) How to tell
A. Smell when new
When washing by boiling water or opening a new tea pot, if the smell is aroma or stink, it is fake. The smell should like mud or soil.
B. Glossy
Regardless sellers' pictures, the new Yixing tea pot should not be glossy. The glossy of a tea pot is cultivated by years of using.
C. Price
A real very small basic Yixing clay teapot by the un-famous author in current Chinese market is about/over $50 USD
D. Color
Many colors are available for Yixing clay, but the color dose not catch eyes. Too red, too green or too other colors are chemical added. Black sand has been used out for years, so be careful about black teapots.
E. Absorbing
Pouring hot water on the tea pot, real Yixing clay absorbs water
F. Smell of tea
Keep brewed tea with/without leaves in the teapot for days. The smell inside of a fake teapot is sour/spoiled.
Buy Creditable Tea Leaves
Buy Cultural Gifts