Select a tea by category, region, taste or TCM character
At TeaHong.com, we try to put ourselves in our customers’ shoes. Different people have different priorities. Each sees the world differently. Naturally when it comes to selecting a tea, your criteria may not be the same as that of any other tea drinkers. That is why we group our tea products in different ways so you can see them in the context that is closest to how you think when selecting a tea.
Our Tea Master’s personal favourites
Before doing your own selections, you may also want to check out what our Tea Master’s very own favourites here.
Or refer to his best loved oolongs here:
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Cassia Extraordinaire, Wuyi yancha oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Wuyi-shan, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy$ 24.90Tea Hong’s Most Bouquet Wuyi Oolong
Great discipline in the use of fire distinguishes Cassia Extraordinaire from most other Wuyi varieties with a supple, deliciously floral and delicate scent balanced with a full, lively body. Thanks to this masterful baking, this lighter style Wuyi oolong keeps well and improves with extended storage, as it should traditionally. This is our most “bouquet” style Wuyi oolong, being on the other end of the scale as the deep baked classic style Cassia Classic or Red Cloak Grande in Tea Hong’s proud Wuyi repertoire.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Red Cloak Grande, Wuyi yancha oolong
Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea, Warm Energy, Wuyi-shan$ 33.80Centenary Bush Dahong Pao:
The most revered amongst all Wuyi oolongs, Da Hongpao (translate: Big Red Cloak) from the pure pedigree grown in better horticultural environment mean significant difference and are most sought after. Tea Hong’s Red Cloak Grande is an extremely limited production (10 kg/year) harvested from two second generation noble breed that are over 100 yrs old in the heights of Wuyi. Masterfully processed to best deliver the taste this name represents.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Iron Buddha Supreme, Wuyi yancha oolong
Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea, Warm Energy, Wuyi-shan$ 29.10Bamboo Forest Tiě Luohan:
Overshadowed by the more promoted Red Cloak, Iron Buddha ( Tiě Luohan ) is actually as taste-worthy, if not more, than any of the so-called “famous” Wuyi oolongs. It is not proven that whether it is the oldest oolong cultivar in Wuyi as they say, but it is certainly one that is not the easiest to cultivate and to produce from. Finding a farmer to process it to the taste profile that befits its legend and our quality demand has been a challenge. It took us 15 years. Presenting Tea Hong’s Iron Buddha Supreme, with that complex charcoal finish yet sweet floral aroma, stout yet lingering “rock tea” taste, delivered gently in a well-balanced infusion in a civilised way. This could very well be the only traditional style Wuyi that any connoisseur would fall in love with.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Song Cultivar, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 36.70Huangzhi Xiang Dancong:
Song pedigree tea cultivar Huangzhi Xiang distinguishes itself from others of the same name not only by its living ancestor that has been carbon-dated back to the 13th century (late Song), but also by the elegantly complex taste and aroma of the tea it yields. That is why it is the most revered of all Phoenix oolong in its own origin and at the nearby Gongfu Tea Capital of the World — Chaozhou.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Alishan Guanyin, deep baked Taiwan oolong
Fuller Bodies, Lighter Aromas, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 28.80Slow Baked Tieguanyin:
Over a century of development since transplanting to Taiwan, tieguanyin produced in the emerald island is quite different from its cousin in Mainland China. Not only has the cultivar evolved differently, but also the more authentic technique with which it is produced. Tea Hong’s Alishan Guanyin has a fuller and smoother taste profile. Its distinction is possible through the finesse in its slow baking. Master Chen, who bakes also our Cold Peak, has elevated the processing into an art of leaves and fire.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Honey Orchid Supreme, classic Phoenix dancong oolong
Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea$ 35.80Old Bush Milan Xiang:
For real aficionados who would not be satisfied until they have discovered a deeper depth, a rounder fullness and a more lingering sweetness, we’d go overboard to offer the extreme. Rarest small batches of leaves from special bushes individually processed only by top masters. Such as this supreme quality Milan Xiang Dancong. For those who demand more potential from the leaves for fulfilling their infusion skills. For thirsty souls seeking a moment of tranquility in the depth of the tinkling after-sweetness of Honey Orchid Supreme.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Honey Orchid, Phoenix dancong oolong
Tea, Oolongs, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy$ 29.80Milan Xiang Dancong:
The fine mastery that produces Tea Hong’s Honey Orchid has to be coupled with select first flush harvests from high grown tea bushes in order to deliver the kind of quality only a restricted circle of tea aficionados have known and kept to their secret. The overall production volume for such quality in the whole Phoenix region is only a few thousand kilos after all. Most will go to local elites, and the rest to the few hardcore Phoenix oolong fans that are also tea merchants, like us. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Sold out
Eight Immortals Wudong, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 29.50Baxian Supreme:
This Fenghuang Dancong is rare in many ways. It is the best Eight Immortals we have tasted, including award winning ones. Not only is it mild but flavorful like a good Baxian should be, but also gently and yet persistently fragrant. The baked finish is optimise for depth in taste. This gives side benefits for friendliness to the weaker stomach as well as the potential for maturity. Not an easy task for making a bouquet style Phoenix oolong. Master Lin who grows this is a shy and mild person and an old friend. We could not be offering it at such great value otherwise.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Cream Stout, Wuyi yancha oolong
Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea, Wuyi-shan$ 29.70Silk Finish Aijiao Wulong:
No this is not the beer but 100% pure oolong. Wuyi classic oolongs in general distinguish themselves from other oolongs with a stout, rather immediate and powerful impact. Tea Hong’s Cream Stout differs from the crowd with a soft creamy finish and a light tone of cream that is developed naturally in the tealeaves themselves. This is possible only with a new pedigree of tea cultivar, Aijiao Wulong. We believe you’ll like the oolong much better than the beer, as we do.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Orchid Gratus, Phoenix dancong oolong
Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea$ 29.90Wudong Xingren Xiang
For people who like classic style Phoenix but desire something more mellow than Honey Orchid, Orchid Gratus offers a taste that is as full-bodied. It is balanced with as subtle a warm and slightly sweet aroma. Not only is this a great choice for the veteran tea connoisseur who seeks peace in the cup, but is also a bridge between softer oolongs and the more vibrant world of taste in Fenghuang Dancong.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Sacred Lily, Wuyi yancha oolong
Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral-Cool Energy, Oolongs, Tea, Wuyi-shan$ 27.10Prime of Wuyi Pedigrees:
Through years of researches a fine cultivar carrying the best traits of all the finest Wuyi natural cultivars is now mature and producing. Introducing Tea Hong’s Sacred Lily. Perhaps the most beautiful of all Wuyi oolongs. Grown deep in the steep mountains away from the touristy spots and masterfully processed for subtlety, complexity, and smoothness in taste. A tea that no true oolong connoisseur should miss.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Sold out
Orchid Literati, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 41.30Caolan Dancong — Duck Poo Tea
As a person continues to discover tea, sometimes finding one with subtle and yet complex fineness seems a lot more exciting than one with strong impressions. That is how we feel when we got hold of this. The locals aptly name it “Cao-lan” (Cymbidium goeringii), the rare orchid which ancient Chinese literati had revered for millenniums for its understated beauty and fragrance*. The long, sweet yet subtle taste and aftertaste of this tea echos the sentiments for the civilized persistence for humanity virtues of the classic eras. If you enjoy our Eight Immortals, Orchid Literati will take you to another level.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Oriental Beauty, deep oxidation Taiwan oolong
Fuller Bodies, Lighter Aromas, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Taiwan, Tea$ 29.90Dongfang Meiren
To experience why this unique Taiwan white tip oolong was nicknamed Oriental Beauty by Queen Elizabeth II, you have to taste the real thing. It is perhaps the most demanding tea to process well. Harvested only once a year in summer and after the young leaves are bitten by a kind of tiny leafhopper, genuine Dongfang Meiren can attain its special taste profile only after following the oolong processing routine modified especially for this tea. Tea Hong’s Phong-hong tè — the original name of Oriental Beauty — is a prime selection from the origin in Hsinchu, Taiwan. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 50 g ( 1.8 oz ) in Kraft-alu pack
Selection by Tea Category
The most common way to group different varieties of tea is by the category of processing method with which they are produced. Some call it Tea Classification, others Tea Categorisation. We think the later label is semantically more accurate.
Many connoisseurs and tea specialists organise their collections with this concept.
The above chart shows the five main categories: Green, Black, White, Pu’er ( Post-Fermentation ) and Oolong teas. Click the pie chart to browse the category of tea, click on your choice and enjoy the browse!
Need more info about a category before seeing the products? Here are some articles:
Selection by Taste
Teas are like raw gems. The true taste of each awaits the revelation made possible by the way you make it. Your personal need matters. It may change according to mood, time of the day, and occasions.
Tasting is the ultimate way to learn about a tea
Experience and explore
Begin by tasting a few selections using various infusion styles to gain more specialist understanding of the finesses and differences. Relate this with your personal preferences and you will gradually carve out a direction in building your own repertoire of tea. This will be your very own line that best suits your taste and your needs. With repeated usage your senses and perceptions will deepen. This will empower you with the connoisseur skill to easily master yet more varieties to continue to gain levels in the vast world of tea.
Selection by TCM Characters
This is for those who understand the needs of answering the voice of the body. A well customised and balanced collection not only helps to maximise tea’s health benefits, but also tea’s gastronomic qualities. At Tea Hong, we categorise our collection by traditional Chinese medicinal character.
Check out trending best sellers
If all these other ways of thinking about how to select a tea are not for you, perhaps you can see what other people are buying. These are some of what’s trending now:
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Snow Orchid, bouquet Phoenix dancong oolong
Cold Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 21.40
Snow Orchid, bouquet Phoenix dancong oolong
Cold Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 21.40Xuepian Ya-shi Xiang:
Finer winter Phoenix oolongs have always been sought after for their unforgettable natural bouquet fragrances. To us, an aroma of a premium tea has to be complete with a winning taste profile. It has taken us over a decade to fine tune the mastery of the processing of the choicest harvest to attain a result we can be proud of. Presenting Tea Hong’s very own Snow Orchid, the roundest, smoothest, and by far the most seductively fragrant oolong ever known. It is our luscious indulgence secretly from Nature.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Honey Orchid Supreme, classic Phoenix dancong oolong
Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea$ 35.80
Honey Orchid Supreme, classic Phoenix dancong oolong
Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea$ 35.80Old Bush Milan Xiang:
For real aficionados who would not be satisfied until they have discovered a deeper depth, a rounder fullness and a more lingering sweetness, we’d go overboard to offer the extreme. Rarest small batches of leaves from special bushes individually processed only by top masters. Such as this supreme quality Milan Xiang Dancong. For those who demand more potential from the leaves for fulfilling their infusion skills. For thirsty souls seeking a moment of tranquility in the depth of the tinkling after-sweetness of Honey Orchid Supreme.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Tieguanyin Classic, deep baked oolong
Denser Aromas, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Neutral-Warm Energy, Oolongs, Stronger Tastes, Tea$ 23.00
Tieguanyin Classic, deep baked oolong
Denser Aromas, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Neutral-Warm Energy, Oolongs, Stronger Tastes, Tea$ 23.00Bamboo basket charcoal rebaked
We have matured this special batch of tieguanyin for long enough before double baking it the traditional way in a bamboo basket with charcoal ash. To attain an ideal result from this traditional practice requires proper conditioning and in-depth know how. Tieguanyin Classic is one of Tea Hong's best value oolongs. Enjoy the warm, soothing aroma as hot water touches the leaves. Then the characteristic tastes of a classic tieguanyin delivered in a round, smooth body with a unique sweetness. This tea is also available in a small portion as a part of Tea Taster’s Box: Nine Oolong Samplers.
Net weight: 120 g (4.2 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Tieguanyin Traditional, bouquet oolong
Cool Energy, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Oolongs, Tea$ 26.90
Tieguanyin Traditional, bouquet oolong
Cool Energy, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Oolongs, Tea$ 26.90Original Tieguanyin Cultivar
To old time aficionados, tieguanyin is not just about floral aroma. They seek yun-wei, which can be roughly translated as “lingering taste of various tones and accents”. For the right yun-wei, we went to the origin of tieguanyin for a fourth generation farm high in altitude. Tea Hong’s Tieguanyin Traditional is produced from a particular patch where only matured shrubs of the thorough-breed cultivar grow and are harvested only once year. This is to ensure maximum amount of taste and salutary substances are stored in the young leaves for subsequent mastery processing for the wonderful lingering taste of various tones and accents. Like a fine old style tieguanyin should be.
Net weight: 100 g (3.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Sold out
Eight Immortals Wudong, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 29.50
Eight Immortals Wudong, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea$ 29.50Baxian Supreme:
This Fenghuang Dancong is rare in many ways. It is the best Eight Immortals we have tasted, including award winning ones. Not only is it mild but flavorful like a good Baxian should be, but also gently and yet persistently fragrant. The baked finish is optimise for depth in taste. This gives side benefits for friendliness to the weaker stomach as well as the potential for maturity. Not an easy task for making a bouquet style Phoenix oolong. Master Lin who grows this is a shy and mild person and an old friend. We could not be offering it at such great value otherwise.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Sale
Longjing Traditional Supreme, hand-roasted green tea
Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Green teas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Tea, Zhejiang$ 35.20
Longjing Traditional Supreme, hand-roasted green tea
Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Green teas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Tea, Zhejiang$ 35.20Mastery in wok-roasted green tea
The special taste profile of a classic Longjing demands not only a fine harvest from a genuine pedigree, but also the mastery of hand-roasting the leaves. To attain such a skill takes the willingness to endure years of hard practice*. On top of that, a fine Longjing is perhaps the most sought after tea in its native market that is China, and there are people there that are willing to pay thousands for half a kilo of this tea. As a result, good roasting masters are in high demand. A good master producing with top quality harvests is even more rare. To secure a genuinely high quality is therefore a very challenging task. More so at the accessible price we are offering at. Tea Hong's Longjing Traditional Supreme is a proud representation of the best quality of this precious craft, a taste that would have won nobles and mandarins in their tea competition, and when the Qing Emperor Qianlong was still young and flamboyant, and crazy about this tea. Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow -
Sacred Lily, Wuyi yancha oolong
Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral-Cool Energy, Oolongs, Tea, Wuyi-shan$ 27.10
Sacred Lily, Wuyi yancha oolong
Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral-Cool Energy, Oolongs, Tea, Wuyi-shan$ 27.10Prime of Wuyi Pedigrees:
Through years of researches a fine cultivar carrying the best traits of all the finest Wuyi natural cultivars is now mature and producing. Introducing Tea Hong’s Sacred Lily. Perhaps the most beautiful of all Wuyi oolongs. Grown deep in the steep mountains away from the touristy spots and masterfully processed for subtlety, complexity, and smoothness in taste. A tea that no true oolong connoisseur should miss.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Iron Buddha Supreme, Wuyi yancha oolong
Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea, Warm Energy, Wuyi-shan$ 29.10
Iron Buddha Supreme, Wuyi yancha oolong
Denser Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, Tea, Warm Energy, Wuyi-shan$ 29.10Bamboo Forest Tiě Luohan:
Overshadowed by the more promoted Red Cloak, Iron Buddha ( Tiě Luohan ) is actually as taste-worthy, if not more, than any of the so-called “famous” Wuyi oolongs. It is not proven that whether it is the oldest oolong cultivar in Wuyi as they say, but it is certainly one that is not the easiest to cultivate and to produce from. Finding a farmer to process it to the taste profile that befits its legend and our quality demand has been a challenge. It took us 15 years. Presenting Tea Hong’s Iron Buddha Supreme, with that complex charcoal finish yet sweet floral aroma, stout yet lingering “rock tea” taste, delivered gently in a well-balanced infusion in a civilised way. This could very well be the only traditional style Wuyi that any connoisseur would fall in love with.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Phoenix Classic, dancong oolong
Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea$ 19.80
Phoenix Classic, dancong oolong
Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Neutral Energy, Oolongs, Tea$ 19.80Fenghuang Baiye:
Before Chaozhou Guest Hotel was privatised, this officially appointed lodging for visiting high-ranking government officials used to serve only classic style Phoenix oolongs in all of their restaurants*. Tea Hong’s Phoenix Classic could well be the special quality in the large white porcelain teapot on the breakfast table sitting next to bamboo steamers holding finely crafted dim sums for the privileged guests. All fine and quintessential characters of the classic Phoenix oolong can be found in this tea — Sweet, fruity, and lively with notes of peach and dried longan, lychee and sweet potato. A proud heritage of Guangdong oolong.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack
Information on a tea page
Detail information on each tea page includes a description, taste profile, infusion tips and a few properties described with icons. This article gives a general orientation in case you want to prepare yourself before browsing.
Customer Reviews
Yet another way to get an idea is to see how other customers see our products. Read a few random reviews they have posted in this site, and click on the link to go to the product page:
- Leo
Moon Drops Himalayas, deep oxidation Nepali white tea
This is quite a special gastronomic experience, the evolution of flavors is remarkably intricate and thoroughly enjoyable from the initial aroma of the dry leaf, all the way through to the last wafts of fragrance I can lift off the bottom of the final, empty cup. You found something unique here. I brewed up the sample using my new Rural Life gaiwan, using a 1:20 ratio, and then right afterwards I brewed it up again Western-style in a larger mug with a 1:100 ratio. Both methods returned some of the most enjoyable and satisfying cups of Himalayan tea I’ve ever had.
I first started exploring Himalayan teas approximately 10 years ago, but never really took a deep-dive, for the same reason that I never fully dove into pu’erh… because Fenghuang oolong captured me with its infinite beauty. That being said; just like with pu’erh, I’ve also been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to source amazing Himalayan teas directly from farmers and co-operatives who grow ultra-premium, top-notch tea. Moon Drops matches, if not exceeds, what I have come to expect from the absolute best of the Himalayan region.
I can taste the influence of both the Jinxuan and Yabukita cultivars. This is a special phenotype; this hybrid retains the thick creaminess and umami-heavy mouthfeel which both cultivars are prized for, and does so in a way that overlays the terroir of the Himalayas seamlessly, which gives rise to a unique yet familiar set of flavors that I’ve come to know and love from this region. I feel like this selection was specific and intentional…
The evolution of flavors in both of my sessions was very complex. Moon Drops opened up with some notes of squash blossoms, zucchini bread, and distinctly sweet overtones of muscat grapes, the likes of which even the most premium Darjeeling would be jealous of. It’s malty and starchy, in the best of ways. As the sessions progressed, there were some herbaceous & spicy notes that came out to play, which were reminiscent of white peppercorn and sage leaf with some floral, lavender-like qualities… oily, thick, lubricating, resinous and long-lasting on the palate, yet perfectly juxtaposed against delicate and nuanced flavors that should be impossible to achieve, but clearly aren’t. As I said earlier: wow. This tea brought forth a complex olfactory experience that escapes definition, and that is what I personally seek out.Towards the end of the sessions, as my steep times became longer and the water temperature moved closer to a freshly rolling boil, I detected sweet and distinct notes of caramelized almonds that lingered on the palate for a long time before gradually subsiding. There was a distinct mouthfeel that was coupled to the flavor profile, which added another layer of enjoyment to the experience.
This truly is a complex tea in every facet… from the intense bright-gold color of the soup to the powerful and stimulating sensations that it imparts in the body, and everything in-between. I particularly enjoyed how clean, crisp, brisk and smooth this tea was… to say I thoroughly enjoyed it is an understatement. Thank you for all that you do to make tea like this possible to experience.
NN
Yiwu Large Leaf 2013, partially post-fermented Pu’er shengcha
Black Earth; Red Fruit
If you treat Yiwu right, it will oblige with a smooth, obsidian-black elixir of earth, mineral and fog. In a word: rarefied.
The first few raven-dark cups gave way to a mahogany red color on subsequent infusions. The bold, earthy mist evolved to reveal a rich, mingled impression of truffle and cherry.
I wish I’d known this sooner. A caddy of Yiwu Large Leaf has been sitting in the back of my cupboard for months, neglected and misunderstood. Yiwu, it was me, not you!
My one previous uninspired tasting was the result of skimping on the tea as well as miscalculation of water temperature and infusion time. I’ve now corrected those variables after a double blanching. What a remarkable difference.
Do all Shengcha pu’ers have this broad range of color and taste? I want to find out. And thanks, Yiwu Large Leaf, for not saying, “I told you so.”
Bamboo Drum
Reply
I am glad to hear from a customer the kind of attachment he can develop for an Yixing pot like I can. Welcome to the world of tea.
The wuhui shao method is for creating the colour of the clay and is independent of clay quality. As you have guessed, it is done after the pot is properly fired.
This particular pot you bought is of low density but not necessarily low temperature. In real Yixing clay firing, even low temperature is around 1000°C, unless it is not of Yixing material. The density of a pot can be affected by the clay composition and treatment it has received prior to pot making. For example, a mix of combustable materials in the clay or clay that has been fermented for very long can result in low density yet fired at high temperature.
High density, for the same reason, does not always mean a genuine clay fire at high temperature. For example, some people mix glass and iron in ordinary clay to make it high density.
At the end of the day, it is the tactility and infusion effects that matter.
This particular pot has a matte finish, quite porous because of the low density and this finish. To old tea nerds like me, this is a great fun to season, because it takes in a lot of tea before it really transforms. That means time and patience. The infusion effect can be worse than the gaiwan in the beginning for this porosity but gradually changes. It is that kind of pot that requires real attention. However, when result gradually becomes obvious, it is the joy of “raising the pot”.
I hope that answers your questions. Please let me know otherwise.
Cheers,
Leo Kwan