Zisha teapots can be works of art, but they are also practical tools. The water flow from a Teapot directly affects its quality. Therefore, the type of spout hole becomes one of the considerations for some when selecting a teapot.
The types of spout holes in zisha teapots have generally been divided into three categories throughout history.
Single Hole
The single hole first appeared during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is commonly found in antique shapes and smaller capacity teapots. The single hole provides the largest outlet for water flow, resulting in a powerful pour.
Single Hole
However, if handled roughly during use, Tea leaves can easily enter the spout hole, causing blockages and disrupting the water flow.
In earlier years, most teapot-making tools were made of bamboo, and spout holes were difficult to handle, often being created as single holes due to the high difficulty of their production. As a result, older teapots typically feature single holes, which are now relatively rare.
Gauze Hole
The gauze hole is one of the most common types today, with varying numbers of holes (seven, nine, fourteen, etc.). Because of the multiple holes, it filters out most tea leaves, ensuring a smooth water flow.
Gauze Hole
However, when steeping larger, more spread-out tea leaves, these can block the spout holes.
Ball Hole
The ball-shaped hole emerged in the 1970s due to specific requirements for export to Japan. A batch of teapots with ball holes was produced by attaching a half-sphere covered in small holes to the inner wall of the spout area.
Ball Hole
The dense filter holes and protruding spherical surface better filter tea leaves while ensuring sufficient water flow area. However, the semi-spherical structure makes Cleaning more challenging than other forms and increases the risk of breakage.
Some teapots with three-bend spouts and ball holes tend to have good water flow.
From the above introduction, it's clear that different styles of spout holes each have their advantages and are not directly related to water flow performance.
The water flow of a teapot depends on four factors:
1
Water Pressure
Water pressure depends on the pressure of the water inside the teapot when pouring. According to physics, the lower the base of the spout, the greater the position difference between it and the water level inside the pot, leading to higher water pressure.
Teapots like the Ziye Shibo, which have a lower spout base, usually have excellent water flow.
2
Air Pressure
Air pressure depends on the air hole located at the button of the lid. If the air hole is too narrow, the flow of air when pouring is restricted, affecting air pressure and thus the water flow.
3
Water Dynamics
Water dynamics depend on the shape of the spout. The more bends in the spout, the greater the loss of water dynamics, resulting in weaker water flow, as seen in teapots with three-bend spouts.
4
Water Volume
The wider the spout, the greater the water volume, which is easy to understand.
It is clear that the water flow of a teapot is not determined by the number of spout holes but rather by the effective water flow area of the spout and the influence of the teapot shape.
Spout Hole
In fact, there is no question of good or bad when it comes to zisha teapot spout holes; it's all about suitability. If you choose the right shape, the water flow will not be an issue.
It also depends on the type of tea being brewed. Generally speaking, ball hole teapots are suitable for Tieguanyin tea, as the leaves are large and have few stems, making them less likely to cause blockages. Gauze holes are suitable for Pu'er and dark teas with stems after Fermentation.
Dark Tea
For those who want good water flow from their zisha teapot and place particular emphasis on practicality, we recommend choosing a straight spout style. Moreover, using a gauze or ball hole is preferable, as single holes are more prone to clogging.