YXHUPOT Yixing Clay Zisha Gongfu Teapot

Yes, this is genuine unglazed Yixing clay. Multiple reviewers specifically noted there's no fishy or chemical smell when you first receive it—which is actually a good sign of authentic clay. You might notice a slight earthy smell initially, but that's normal and goes away after a quick seasoning. The unglazed clay means it will develop a beautiful patina over time as you dedicate it to your favorite tea.

This is a small pot at 7oz (150ml), which is perfect for solo gongfu brewing sessions. You'll get about one decent cup per brewing, maybe stretching to two very small cups if needed. If you're planning to serve multiple people at once, this won't work—but that's exactly the point of gongfu style. The compact size actually prevents tea waste while you're learning the technique, and several reviewers loved it specifically for personal tea sessions.

Not at all—the spout design gets consistent praise for being easy to pour with good control. This is actually a huge plus for beginners who might be intimidated by gongfu brewing. You won't be dealing with drips or awkward pouring angles while you're trying to focus on timing your steeps.

No, this isn't airtight—it has the traditional spout opening and a small hole in the lid for pressure release. It's designed purely for brewing, not storage. If you need to keep tea fresh between sessions, you'll want a separate airtight container.

Yes, the clay retains heat well according to reviewers. This matters for gongfu style because you're doing multiple quick steeps, and you want the pot staying warm throughout the session. The thick Yixing clay naturally holds temperature better than porcelain or thin ceramic.

Absolutely. This hits the sweet spot for beginners—it's affordable enough that you won't panic if you make mistakes, genuine clay so you're learning proper technique, and the small size means you won't waste expensive tea while practicing. The easy-pour spout and traditional design give you an authentic experience without the collector-level price tag. Several reviewers specifically mentioned it's high quality for the price point.