Tea-making treasures catch the fancy of connoisseurs as record prices brew up interest
Most teapots used in the West are big and bright and have been styled to cater for European tea-drinkers for hundreds of years. But in China, tea experts say the best brews are made in smaller pots made from special clay. And for about 500 years handmade zisha teapots have been considered the best of the best. They have been indispensable to true tea connoisseurs who seek the subtle nuances of flavor and aroma tenderly expressed by each leaf.
These brown-colored teapots can also be extremely valuable. Last year a zisha pot made by master Gu Jingzhou sold for 12.32 million yuan (1.3 million euros) at the China Guardian Spring Auction.
