It's a carnival!

I’m very excited that the Association of Tea Bloggers (of which I am a member...for now...until they kick me out for my utter lack of posting of late) is doing a “Tea Blog Carnival.” What this means is that a number of ATB members will all be posting on the same topic on the same day. You can find links to all the other bloggers in the carnival by visiting www.gongfugirl.com

The topic is “What is Your Favorite Piece of Teaware and Why?”

I find these kinds of topics so much harder than they seem. It’s like when someone asks about my favorite tea. My pro and con list seems never ending. I guess that’s why I always struggled with multiple choice exams. And so, since I’m kind of making the rules here, I cheat.

My response is: Anything made of Yixing.

I am completely in love with this beautiful clay. The town of YiXing is located in the Jiangsu province on China’s eastern coast. For hundreds of years, teapots have been produced here using this very special earth. What I love most about Yixing is that the pots and other teawares are unglazed by design. One should only brew a single type of tea in these pots because over time, the teaware absorbs the flavors and aromas of the tea. It is said that if you use a pot this way for years then you can eventually brew tea simply by adding hot water -- the pot will actually release enough of what it has absorbed to flavor your brew.

I currently have three Yixing pots. My current favorite is my newest purchase. It is a traditionally-sized Yixing pot and sharing pitcher.

And now, what’s YOUR favorite teaware?