Black Zhu Ni Shede Yixing Teapot - 230ml | Black Zhu Clay

A 230ml Shede in raw black Zhu clay (黑朱泥), made in Yixing using mold-assisted shaping with hand-finishing. Shede — "to give and to gain" — is a full, rounded form with smooth continuous lines and no sharp transitions. At 230ml, it is a practical size for a shared session.

The Shape

Shede (舍得) takes its name from a classical Chinese idea: that giving something up makes space for what comes back. The form reflects this in its proportions — a full, rounded body that sits wide and low, lines that move without interruption from base to shoulder. No abrupt angles, no sharp transitions. The spout exits at a clean angle with good flow. The handle is substantial enough to hold comfortably when the pot is full.

At 230ml, this is a generous pot — suited to sharing rather than solitary brewing.

One side of the body is engraved with calligraphy, applied before firing. The engraving is part of the piece's character and does not affect use or seasoning.

The Clay

Raw black Zhu clay (原矿黑朱泥): Dense, fine-grained, and high in silica content. Black Zhu clay fires to a deep grey-black with a close, smooth surface. The high shrinkage rate during firing means careful, precise work is required at every stage of production. The finished surface develops a quiet sheen with use and remains relatively non-porous compared to coarser Yixing clays. It seasons gradually and rewards consistent, long-term use.

Specifications

What to Brew

At 230ml, this pot suits a two-person gongfu session or a single person brewing with more volume per steeping. Black Zhu clay's dense surface works well with teas that have depth and body — ripe pu-erh (shou), aged pu-erh, and high-roast oolong are all good matches. The rounded body retains heat evenly, which benefits teas that improve with sustained warmth across multiple infusions.

Seasoning Your New Pot

Rinse inside and out with boiling water two or three times before first use. Brew a session with your intended tea, discarding the first steeping. After each use, empty, remove the lid, and allow to dry naturally in open air. Use consistently with one category of tea to build a clean seasoning over time.

A Note on Color

All product photos are taken of the actual item. Colors may appear slightly different on your screen due to lighting conditions and monitor calibration. The clay color and surface texture you receive will be consistent with what is shown — minor variation is normal and not a quality issue.

Explore the full range: Return to the Teapots collection to see all Yixing teapots currently available.