One of several of my Yixing Teapots–this one with a cat. Wonder what a Yixing teapot is? This is what Teavana says about them.
YIXING TEAPOTS
Original Chinese, Yixing clay is a red clay found in the Jiangsu province of China that makes an exceptional teapot.
These teapots “season,” which means they take on the flavor of your favorite tea to enhance every cup. But they should only be used for one type of tea (white, green, black, oolong, herbal), since they soak in the richness of whichever type is used.
Chinese Yixing Teapots are considered by some connoisseurs as the best possible way to steep tea.