Purple clay comes in many types, but Zhuni, due to its vibrant color and unique aroma when brewing Tea, attracts a large number of enthusiasts. So why do you love Zhuni?

Limited production, relatively scarce

Compared to purple clay and dun clay, Zhuni is less abundant, with only three sources: Huanglong Mountain, Xiao Meilao, and Zhaozhuang. In terms of color, the clay from Huanglong Mountain and Xiao Meilao tends to be reddish, while that from Zhaozhuang has a slight yellow hue.

High difficulty in making, Zhuni has very low sand content, making it delicate and prone to a contraction rate of 30-40%. Thus, crafting it is quite challenging. Why is it so delicate? Because it's easy for it to develop issues. Even experienced Zhuni artisans can't fully control its temperament. Out of ten Teapots made, two or three may end up as defective products. The defects are unpredictable – sometimes they occur at the spout, sometimes at the bottom, or on the body. A pot might be fine after the first firing, but problems arise during the second firing, and the cause is often mysterious, making it highly random.

Wrinkled texture

The saying goes that nine out of ten Zhuni pots have wrinkles, but this isn't always true. With careful selection of clay, understanding its properties, and proper processing techniques, a wrinkle-free or minimally wrinkled Zhuni teapot can be produced. However, a teapot with a wrinkled texture stands out and feels great to touch.

Vivid and charming

There's no particular reason for loving Zhuni teapots; they're just beautiful and pleasing to the eye, matching my style. They're especially popular among women. Teapots like the Xi Shi, Mei Ren Jian (Lady's Shoulder), Siting, Pan, and Wentai are favorites. I like to call them beauty teapots, all elegant and graceful. When brewing tea, they look vivid and smooth, irresistible.

Exceptional aroma when brewing tea

Zhuni, due to its unique properties, has a higher density and vitrification level, which means it doesn't breathe as well as other clays. This makes it perfect for brewing high-aroma teas, enhancing their fragrance. It's ideal for Tieguanyin, Taiwanese high mountain tea, Pu'er raw tea, Oolong Tea (lightly roasted), and Longjing, among others. It excels at elevating the aroma, producing a tight yet smooth tea soup with a long-lasting aftertaste. It's easy to Brew and maintain, quickly developing a beautiful patina.