New Release of Akitsu Mumyoi and Shigaraki Clay Teapots

We have just released 3 types of handmade clay teapots: Akitsu Mumyoi Oxidation, Akitsu Mumyoi Carbonized Reduction and Shigaraki rough clay teapots. All 3 types of clay enhance the body of tea well.

Akitsu Mumyoi Oxidation Fired Clay by Watanabe Tozo

It enhances not only the after taste but also the body of tea. The intensity of body enhanced by this teapot is among the greatest in HOJO's existing lineup. The flavor becomes very rich and fills your palate. This clay works pretty well for all types of tea. In particular, it performs excellently with fermented teas such as oolong and black tea. I often use this clay for raw pu-erh tea as well. It gives a very clean mouthfeel, yet it never diminishes the flavor.

Akitsu Mumyoi Carbonized Reduction Fired Clay by Watanabe Tozo

With reduction firing, this clay enhances the after taste more than the oxidation fired clay does. The intensity of body and after taste enhanced by this clay is well balanced, and it gives a very round taste. It works excellently with all types of tea.

Shigaraki Rough Clay Teapot by Masaki Tachi

This teapot is made of clay with very rough particles. The clay was collected in Shigaraki town, which used to be the bottom of Lake Biwa 600 million years ago. That is why the clay contains a lot of alkaline minerals such as calcium. Thanks to the rich alkaline minerals, it enhances the body as well as the after taste. Based on our own experience, it works pretty well for raw pu-erh tea and Japanese green tea. You could also use it for oolong or black tea.

We do not recommend this clay for Anxi Tie Guan Yin, Phoenix Oolong or Wu Yi Oolong, as it makes them taste astringent.

For Malaysia, these 3 types of clay teapot will arrive in 1 to 2 months.

For more about each clay, please see About Akitsu Mumyoi Oxidation, About Akitsu Mumyoi Carbonized Reduction and About Shigaraki Rough Clay by Masaki Tachi. The teapots are available in our Akitsu Mumyoi Oxidation, Akitsu Mumyoi Carbonized Reduction and Shigaraki Rough Clay collections.