A totally unique Gaiwan made from Zini Zisha clay with excellent performance. Crafted by hand in the famed ceramics town of Jingdezhen.
I am continuously being asked to source clay Gaiwans but high quality ones are very difficult to get your hands on. The reason? Good quality Yixing Zini Zisha clay is almost always reserved for pots in Yixing because that is the tradition of the area (and pots command higher prices).
I have said over and over that we will always be on the lookout for Teaheads but that any Yixing clay Gaiwans that we have tried have been very disappointing with poor quality clay and mediocre aesthetics. I also warned that any good clay Gaiwan would probably cost the same as a pot.
So, what do we have here?!
Well, this Zini Spiral is the result of craftsmen in Jingdezhen (the world's capital of the finest porcelain) wanting to express themselves in other materials. They have sourced high quality Zisha clay and handcrafted a gorgeous 120ml Gaiwan with the skills that has made Jingdezhen so legendary.
The decision was made to keep the clay's original rough surface rather than polish it as is traditional in Yixing. Then, to add that Jingdezhen magic they have handpainted and glazed the outside to make an aesthetic triumph.
The Zini Spiral does not only look beautiful, it is also a joy to use. The dual texture of the outer glaze and the inner roughness is fabulous in the hands, it pours perfectly and the clay is TOP NOTCH!
When I sampled this Gaiwan I half-assumed that the clay would be a bit 'meh' - surely they sourced some cheap clay for their experiments. Nope - this is great clay, it softens, thickens and enrichens the brews like a high-grade pot from Yixing.
So, this Gaiwan is the result of a fusion of the best of Yixing and Jingdezhen to make a unique yet authentic clay brewing experience.
The price may seem high for a Gaiwan but good clay and impeccable craftsmanship makes this a winner and the first that we have seen in our 20 years of sourcing.
I recommend using this Zini Spiral to brew all teas except maybe Greens, Yellows and Light Oolongs.
