Hei Liao Black Zisha Teapot from Yixing, China

Description

Made from real, authentic Zisha black clay, this Hei Liao “Black Material” teapot derives from Yixing, China. Sourced from our partner Zisha teapot maker located in Yixing, China, it is the perfect beginner Zisha teapot. Great for brewing dark teas such as Ripe Puerh or Tibetan Teas.

Black Zisha Her Liao clay is amongst some of the hardest to find clays next to green Zisha clay. Miners extract the clay as a hard rock, before grinding it into sand and then aging it. In this state, the ore is more of a purple-brown color than black. However, it has a high concentration of minerals such as iron oxide, mica, quartz, and kaolin.

During the firing process, these minerals contribute to a drastic color change that ultimately gives the material its distinctive appearance.

Due to mining bans back in the early 2000s, only limited factories with Zisha lineages obtained the clay. It remains extremely rare. What’s more, it’s said that the material will be gone within the next few decades.