Clay cups
Many tea drinkers say a zisha cup softens tea. Keep one for dark brews.
Put a clay cup to work
At the gongfu table
A small zisha cup suits dark teas. Drinkers say it rounds the edges of a strong brew.
As a lidded desk mug
Bigger zisha mugs with lids are a familiar sight on desks in China. The lid helps keep the tea warm a little longer.
One cup, one tea
Clay keeps scent. After aged pu'er, jasmine will not taste the same, so give each tea family its own cup.
Dark tea, dark clay.
What to look for
Clay cups
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
Are Yixing clay cups better than porcelain?
Neither is better. Drinkers say clay softens and rounds a tea, while porcelain keeps aroma clear and shows color. Many use clay for dark tea and porcelain for the rest.
How do you clean a zisha cup?
Use hot water only, with no soap or dishwasher. Wipe away tea film with a soft cloth if you want, then let it air dry.
Can I drink coffee from a zisha cup?
Yes, but the clay will keep the coffee smell. Keep that cup for coffee only.
