Zisha teapot vs. Gaiwan for Dancong

@mpham787, There is huge difference between the two infusion vessels as to how they render either kind of the two Phoenix oolongs.

The teapot is better at giving longer infusion duration that focus more on the length and roundness of a tea, while the gaiwan for shorter time and more on the bouquet characteristics.

Generally speaking, Phoenix oolongs are better off using the gaiwan than the Yixing pot, unless a selection is still quite freshly fired or over-fired before it is mellowed down.

In situation where the taster prefers a very strong infusion, however, a pot has its merits to render the strength and round the sharper edges of the taste profile which could become quite obvious when over-steeped.

In my experience, if you put a little tea leaves in the zisha teapot and infuse for longer time, classic style can come out very well. If a bouquet style is on the panic side, this method reduces that too, but the fragrance will not be as good than in the gaiwan.