Advanced Yixing Teapot Workshop

This is an advanced workshop aimed at the experienced Tea Person or even the tea professional who is looking to elevate both experience and knowledge in a seldom discussed and often misunderstood area of Tea. Yixing teapots are not simply objects of beauty or collectibles. They are active tools. They interact. They shape. They refine. Clay has character. It has direction. It has influence. And when paired with Tea intentionally, that relationship can either flatten an experience or elevate it. This is a focused look at Yixing teapots and their profound relationship with Tea.

We will explore the different clay types, identify their nature, and examine their intimate relationship with the teas we brew in them. Through direct tasting and comparison, we will discover which teas pair best with which types of clay and refine our ability to create pairings that are not merely harmonious, but truly elevating. If you want to experience how material interacts with and shapes the way we experience Tea…

If you see teapots not as trophies but as refined instruments… If you are searching for the next “perfect” teapot with deeper understanding rather than impulse…

Then you will likely find this workshop not only revealing and valuable, but a doorway into another level of sensitivity, precision, and exploration.

What You’ll Experience:

• Clay Identification & Nature: A close examination of various Yixing clays—zini, hongni, duanni and beyond—understanding their mineral composition, structure, and behavioral tendencies in brewing.

• Refined Pairing Practice: Comparative tastings designed to reveal how different clays influence aroma, body, structure, and aftertaste—and how to intentionally match Tea with clay for heightened expression.

• Form & Function: How shape, density, wall thickness, and flow dynamics subtly alter extraction and texture.

• Guided Insight: Led by tea expert Barry Boullon, drawing from years of dedicated study, sourcing, and practical application with authentic Yixing ware. This is not an introductory session. It is an invitation to sharpen perception, refine discernment, and deepen your relationship with both clay and Tea