The art of drinking and serving tea, which many call "Chinese tea ceremony", plays a very vital role in China. Indeed, the ritual of tea preparation holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the Chinese. Although the ceremony emphasizes tea, the overall style of tea drinking is still of great importance. Chinese teapots and teacups are very necessary and each piece plays a distinct role from the other. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Speaking of Chinese teapots, I guess nothing is more suitable for a wonderful tea experience than the original Chinese teapot: the Yixing. Usually pronounced "E-ching", these collectible vases are so charming and can be absolutely simple with designs that date back thousands of years. Many people even claim that these teapots are whimsical, being shaped like lotuses and featuring Buddhas and pre-majolica subjects such as vegetables, fruits or animals. Contemporary Chinese Yixing teapots come in several shapes. The most common shapes are chairs, wheelbarrows and other unusual styles that never fail to raise a smile. What is interesting to know about Yixing teapots is that its primary importance lies in its special red clay, which is found only in the Yunnan province of mainland China. As noted, this Chinese teapot is porous and easily absorbs odors. It's even unglazed. I think this is the main reason why people are suggested to only use one variety of tea in the teapot. But, after a while, the Yixing teapot will take on the character of your favorite Chinese tea. Chinese Yixing teapots are everywhere now and I think this is due to their "collectability". However, it is somewhat crucial to deal with a seller who really knows their wares to avoid machine-made Chinese teapots or perhaps poor quality imitations of traditional shapes. Like any other product, a finely crafted Yixing teapot holds heat longer and pours better. Now, if you are thinking of buying a Chinese Yixing teapot, then you should continue reading because below I have mentioned some qualities of a finely crafted Yixing teapot. the teapot should possess: Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The teapot cap should be firm and should not move easily. The body should not look grainy. The knob on the cap must be in sync with the rest of the body. It must be ergonomic. It should be able to hold a significant amount of water. The artistic and precious Chinese teapot usually but not always contains enough tea to serve 2 or 3 people and not put. When the water is poured from the teapot, it should come out in a nice stream. The handle should allow you to hold the teapot securely. Look for Chinese teapots with a net over the mouth to catch unwanted tea leaves. The hardness of the body should be just right. The color does not have to be dyed. The shape should be fluid and there should be no awkward proportions. The vase should have unusual shapes because it indicates craftsmanship. A good Chinese teapot should be made of purple clay or zhu clay. The artist's name must be engraved on the bottom of the teapot. Good Chinese teapots tend to have fragile skin. Its walls are thinner than the lower teapots. Keep in mind that Chinese Yixing teapots that possess the qualities I mentioned above can be very expensive, so you may want to experiment with one of the machine-made ones first. If, however, you want to purchase these vases just for their.