This channel is such a goldmine. A blessing for us teaheads!

@jacobtrapp3772

3 ай бұрын

AMEN brother and or sister

I have to say, I am really pleasantly surprised about how transparent you are with the products you have in stock and the „behind the scenes“, which customers usually don’t get to see. Bravo!

@tonyskinner871

Жыл бұрын

I've thought the same thing. Not only does it educate all of us, it builds confidence knowing that when we buy from Mei Leaf, a certain level of quality control has gone into each product before I even have the chance to order it.

I haven't bought a clay pot yet because I didn't really know how to pick one. So this was so helpful, thank you, Don! I'm excited about getting my first one this year, hopefully :)

I would like to add another perspective regarding the ball-shaped filter and why I am not the biggest fan of this type of filter. I always feel that with such a filter it is harder to get the final drops of water/tea out of the pot. There are usually no holes at the edge of the filter (where the ball-shaped filter is "connected" to the body of the teapot) so it's almost like a "little wall" for the last few drops. And as you often said yourself in your videos, it is important to get as much water as possible out of the pot so the tea leafs don't sit in a hot water residue and are being infused between the actual infusions. Also I had the experience, that the tiny holes of ball-shaped filter can get clocked over time and they are harder to clean when small pieces of tea leafs get caught. So those are my personal reasons why I actually prefer those flat filters nowadays.

Great points. I personally count the pour time as part of the pot's personality. I sure see a stronger brew as a plus so an extra 10-15 seconds of strength is like an interpretation from a more intense personality.

My first time mistake is the look lol and then size. I’m not a fan of the brown color I had to learn to appreciate that. My first pots are duanni and also my oolong pot is around 180/200ml did not realize how big that was. I’ve been adventurous, bought several pots secondhand but I recommend buying your first teapot from a trustworthy shop. If I didn’t have enough teapots I’d get that Mooncake Zisha pot it’s so cute. Btw high pitch sounds doesn’t mean necessarily better quality clay though 🤔. Also taste is personal in my mind I went for lighter tea’s lighter teapots but you should really brew different tea’s in different pot’s and see what your preference is. I bought a Jianshui clay cup and I love drinking tea from it but I have no idea what clay it is. It makes my tea’s taste rounder, less sharp notes it’s pleasant I usually drink from different types of tea cups at the same time by myself 😅. I’m still a total beginner but I’m learning and finding my own way of enjoying tea. I’m a big fan of white, green and oolongs but I discovered my sweet spot are floral notes (but I drink all tea’s though infusions included). Tea is so much fun I’m holding back buying tea’s as you won’t be able to finish them properly if you’re the only one drinking tea. I recommend as a beginner small batches so you can explore as much as possible and find your favorites💗. But that’s my personal experience.

I appreciate the extensive amount of info you give about your thought process. Really helpful for someone who's new to this world. That being said, I do wish you would have thrown in at least a couple other teapots you actually like and stock at Mei Leaf. Would have been nice to see more positive examples to compare against. As it stands, this video makes it look like the newest teapot you're stocking just happens to be almost perfect (because the competition was so poor), when surely there are at least trade-offs compared to other nice teapots you stock. Still a big fan, of course! This video, and videos like this, that are jam packed with your thought process and methodology, are great resources. Just thought I'd throw a bit of constructive criticism your way. Thanks, Don! Cheers!

Man I really enjoyed your tea tasting at the end more than I should lmao

Its so fascinating that a small clay pot can be such a personal thing. I bought small kyusu with lapiz lazuli in it with some golden markings which were created on it by burning out seaweed. I love making tea in it im seasing it with green teas and green oolongs and it amazes me that such a small thing can be sooo...yea personal, there are only 400 kyusus? like mine and i am one of the luckiest guys on the earth to have it :) and this little blue kyusu brews me wonderfull tea. Cheers m8

@theoldkid5725

Жыл бұрын

Is it one of those Yamada Sou teapots?Just curious...they are S O beautiful...

Yet another must - see for tea-apprentices. I love the way you describe your personal appreciation of all the shapes of tea pots, and the effects of the clay on your brew. Thank you!

Great presentation. Love it!!!

I love, LOVE, how dedicated you are to this. You inspire me to be better at what I do.

Thank you vey much for very instructive and helpful videos. They really say and remind how to enjoy in cha more and more

Super practical indeed😊 so giving, so much sharing u have done for us all.

Very very good tips ❤ practical and clear, well taught session

The shipiao teapot lid really only works for me with a string tied to the top. I move the lid by the string.

Really talking me into buying that center teapot man

I ironically have one of the pots that had a few red flags. It was my first clay teapot I bought for myself without being able to test pour time and such. I still enjoy it and any downsides are just a lesson for the next teapot

coming to the tea house this week and was just going to buy a couple of cakes- now seriously tempted buy that pot! Fancy doing a buy 2-3 cakes get a pot half price(i’m a chancer i know!).

Thank you very much for all your explanations! I just received a "yixing" tea pot. I am quite sure it's an industrial one, I have no idea of the real quality of the clay but... my Fengqing hong cha tastes more than wonderfull when it comes out from it, much better than from my glass teapot!!! So, nevermind if it's not a real yixing as far as my tea tastes and smells great!

I have a Master Wu that I purchased from you. Perfection,although I have yet to season it,as I am still a novice,and will use it when my taste becomes more refined. I have a pot,I love it,it has been used before I aquired it. The last tea that passed through the spout was a 1999 aged Gu Shu Sheng Pu Erh. It was magnificent! I will be in London on Monday,the day of Her Majesty’s funeral. I shall bring this teapot with me! Perhaps you can take a look at it,tell me what you think. Because sometime during my stay,I will be visiting MeiLeaf in Camdentown,to purchase my supply of tea that will fuel my mudlarking! See you soon!

@MeiLeaf

Жыл бұрын

Hi Charles. Just wanted to let you know tat we will be closed on Monday but please do visit us another day. I am abroad unfortunately so we will miss each other.

@charlesperez9976

Жыл бұрын

Yes,of course you will be closed on Monday. A sad day. But,I’m sorry to miss you,I was looking forward to meeting you and Celine! No worries,your staff will no doubt guide me with impeccable wisdom! Safe travels,Don!

Greetings sir, Thank you for this beautiful chanell. Such a beautiful content! I have one question: do you recommend brewing ball oolong and roasted oolong tea in the same yixing clay teapot? Best wishes!

I just can't justify the price of a clay pot in my life. Would you consider stocking a plain porcelain pot between 70 - 100ml? I have the tiny white gaiwan, but find it fiddly and that the thickness isn't enough to hold the heat I need. Thanks as always Don.

Very Nice video! Thanks a lot! However, I have little question about cleaning of the clay (zini) pot after long time of usage - Is it safe to use normal baking soda for cleaning? Especially to remove so called "calcium deposits" white coloured spots etc. Or there are better methods? Thanks!

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

Baking soda erodes the clay

call me crazy, but i have 11 "yixing" teapots (8 from online auctions, 2 from a car-boot sale & 1 from an antiques fair) & i just like to look at them! one day i will try some tea from them, but where to begin ? enjoyed the vid btw

Good perspectives from a seller in online platform since the customer cannot get a chance to test the performance and effect of the clay. Even for us who got chances to test teapots at the shop nearby, testing the exeedingly strong brew like how you do is very awkward to do so in the shop as it may raise eyebrows of the other customers.

Hey Don 😘 Tobias

Every time I see that pot changes the tea taste I am thinking about clay cups or just throwing chunk of ceramic into the brew to try the clay instead of buying the pot outright. And what about clay gaiwans instead of pots (I just don't like brewing in pot that much) they don't seem to be sold that often

@Argo123_.0

9 ай бұрын

Clay gaiwans conduct heat very well, very impractical, bulky and uses bad clay. Pots are just a lot more beautiful and deserves being made with that clay than a glorified soup bowl.

Is Zini clay the same as Zisha? Thanks for the brilliant and very informative video!

@leoman5481

Жыл бұрын

No Zini is a type of zisha. Zisha is translation is “purple sand” Zini is purple clay it’s a type of zisha another type of zisha is Hong Ni which is red clay

@Argo123_.0

9 ай бұрын

Zisha is the clay, Zini is a subgroup.

@meileaf how do you decide the favourite tea for you I’d love a clay teapot but I’d struggle to choose a favourite I love almost all teas

@Utkuak

Жыл бұрын

The clay chooses the tea. You just have to try different ones and find which pairing works. It’s fascinating how a teapot that brews divine hóng chá may brew abysmal bái chá (as is the case with my tiě shā zhū ní pot).

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

Use zhuni or put boiling water after use

Can you coat the clay with something like organic shea butter and over time make the clay a hit softer and less like it would go through me when nails scratch it agghhh

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

That’s bad clay if that’s the case

You know, I really should stop watching your videos. 🙂 In the previous months, I've visited the Meileaf shop website a few times, but including shipping + taxes + duties, the prices scared me off a little bit. Now, the whole misery (^^) started with watching your video about "Luminary Misfit", and directly ordering a cake. After this video, I ordered the "Mooncake" teapot (which I didn't use yet, but love its aesthetics), and next a Wu X ML Lantern will arrive in a few days. How should I stop myself if you continue to produce such fantastic content in this channel and offer such tempting products (both tea and hardware)? 😀

Hi Don. I am able to buy a teapot that are made from certified clay from Quarry #4. Of course it comes with government issued stickers etc...what are your thougts about that, and what price would you concider to be reasonable for a 150ml teapot? Thank you for your great videos and amazing tea. I don't trust many sellers, but you are one of the few that i can spend a lot on tea, without any worries..thank you 🦶

@Utkuak

Жыл бұрын

Which type of Huáng Lóng Shān 4th quarry clay are you talking about specifically? If it’s dǐ cáo qīng, the clay alone would cost hundreds of dollars. There’s so much fakery when it comes to 4th quarry clay, that I would tread extremely carefully. Unless the person making the pot is at least a ranked senior level master (高级工艺美术师) with a reputation in the industry of being honest and trustworthy, I wouldn’t even entertain the thought of buying one of their 4th quarry dǐ cáo qīng pots. Regardless of clay, any teapot by a senior level master will most likely set you back at least a couple thousand dollars. But if you’re buying an authentic zisha pot by a senior level master, 4th quarry or not, you are likely going to be extremely happy with both the clay and the craftsmanship. Even teapots by “mere” level 3 artists are already incredible.

@jimmychristensen7112

Жыл бұрын

@@Utkuak Thank you for your answer. It is dì căo qîng clay, and the teapot will be made by a Level 2A Senior Consummate Master Artist that are well respected and honest. The teapot will come with certified stickers from the Chinese government where the artist is registered, so i have no doubt about the authenticity. But this will be my first teapot of this level, so i would love to hear from people that know more about it than me. I know that the clay can be a little more "dense", so i just want to make sure that it will have a good effect on the tea compared to other more "normal" zisha clays

@jimmychristensen7112

Жыл бұрын

@@Utkuak kzread.info/dash/bejne/rHWGyrOYfavUmqQ.html you can see the teapot here

@MarkasTZM

Жыл бұрын

stop supporting China, buy teapot from another country at least until threat to Taiwan is diminished

@jimmychristensen7112

Жыл бұрын

@@MarkasTZM the problem is that 90% of Yixing teapots that are sold are either not fully handmade, or they are made from lower grade/mixed clay. But i know what you mean

A friend bought me a “supposedly “Xixing teapot shipped from China , I know it a not hand made but is it really Xixing , how do you tell? (It’s stamped & has certificate )

@Utkuak

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/Ym18m7aMl5ioh84.html

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

Prob fake if the details are that vague

I find it interesting that the one you don’t like is the only one with a distinct Japanese look and construction. Maybe that’s just not your type in terms of aesthetic and feel? (Clay quality aside, I mean)

Love a good po-urh

I feel yixing cha hais should be more popular, since you could brew in a gaiwan but still get the changes in the tea due to the clay

@Utkuak

Жыл бұрын

Why not just use a clay gaiwan then? I’d recommend Jianshui zitao, though, because 99.999% of the Yixing zisha on the market is not authentic zisha. And that’s not just online; it’s the same thing even if you travel to Yixing and browse the stores there.

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

@@Utkuak clay gaiwans are pretty shit, it’s usually fake or use bad clay.

Do you like silver tea pot?

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

Too expensive honestly

Chekovs gaiwan.

not authentic

I love your videos and think you are a smart guy. Aren't we, as members of Western democracies at the point where we should stop buying from and supporting China whenever we can? Despte your personal heritage I suiggest that you just totally stop importing from China and focus solely on Japan and Taiwan. Except for absolute essentials that cannot be found elsewhere it is time to give up tea from China. And, no, a particular variety of tea is never essential. Taiwan is in serious danger and we must cut off China now.

@Argo123_.0

Жыл бұрын

The typical bs political comment.You’re phone is probably from china anyway….