The Yixing purple clay is renowned both at home and abroad. The reason it's “Yixing” is due to its unique five-colored earth that is famous worldwide. Among them, the red clay (also known as Zhu Ni) is relatively common with a beautiful mud color, yet it is extremely rare.

There are mainly three mining areas for Yixing Zhu Ni: Huanglongshan Zhu Ni, Xiao Meikilao Zhu Ni, and Zhaozhuang Zhu Ni. The main colors of the ore from these areas are light white, light yellow, and golden yellow. After processing, the mud has a higher moisture content and a darker color. Once dried after molding, it turns into a yellowish-white color. The Zhu Ni from each mine exhibits different characteristics due to variations in the methods used to process the clay.

Zhu Ni is the premium quality among red clays. Its main component is red clay (with an extremely high iron content), and it is found beneath the layer of tender clay, also called “stone bones that have not been exposed to the elements.” “Stone bones” refer to soil blocks that have not completely weathered, being as hard as rock but disintegrating when exposed to water. Although the amount of Zhu Ni ore is visibly decreasing, one principle remains unchanged: as long as there is red clay, Zhu Ni will not disappear.

Due to the significant shrinkage of Zhu Ni, it cannot be excessively beaten or corrected during the manufacturing process; if too many corrections are made, it can easily crack when fired. During the summer production process, Zhu Ni dries faster than usual, but it cannot be continuously moistened with water, making it very difficult to form.

Zhu Ni, due to its large shrinkage ratio, is generally only suitable for making small Teapots. Some Huanglongshan Zhu Ni has a texture between red clay and Zhu Ni, containing larger particles, with smaller drying and firing shrinkage, less prone to wrinkling, and capable of making medium to large-sized teapots.

Because of the high density and small pore size of the matured Zhu Ni clay, the moisture within the body does not evaporate easily, and the melt is more active during firing. Therefore, the preheating and drying time required for firing is longer than that of red clay, and the temperature increase and decrease must be done slowly. If rushed, it can crack or develop defects, rendering all previous efforts futile. This makes forming Zhu Ni very challenging.

However, Zhu Ni has its commendable side. Due to its large shrinkage ratio and high density after firing, it combines the tea aroma retention of porcelain and the breathability of purple clay, making it particularly suitable for brewing Oolong and Tieguanyin teas.

The Zhu Ni Teapot is the preferred choice for brewing Tieguanyin. While some say that Duan Ni teapots produce a refreshing taste when brewing Tieguanyin, Zhu Ni teapots are the most suitable. Zhu Ni teapots have a higher density and weaker breathability, which plays a significant role in enhancing the aroma of Tieguanyin.

Speaking of aroma enhancement, no teapot compares to a Zhu Ni teapot. Zhu Ni, due to its high shrinkage clay quality and gold sand content ratio, presents wrinkles on the surface. While the exterior appears smooth, a closer look reveals many fine, dense, and natural shrinkage lines.

Therefore, when brewing, the aroma is exceptionally high, quick, and crisp. The tea soup is tightly bound, smooth, with a strong aftertaste and a lingering finish. It is particularly suitable for brewing lightly fermented and highly aromatic teas like Fujian Tieguanyin and dark teas.

Zhu Ni is known as the “clay of the highest grade,” and the beauty of Zhu Ni teapots, along with the enjoyment of tea tasting, rivals that of the gods. For enthusiasts of Zhu Ni teapots, owning one is a must!

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