Michael Cramer 973 253 7400 x111 [email protected]

Adagio Adds Traditional Claypots to Lineup GARFIELD, NJ – Adagio (www.adagio.com), a gourmet retailer, is set to unveil its new line of clay imported from China. YiXing teapots, as they are known, will be added to Adagio’s wide assortment of teaware and accessories starting in October. The clay teapots will be available in three different designs and colors. Each pot is handmade from the famous “Purple Clay of YiXing, China,” in the ancient traditional art of clay production. YiXing teapots are smaller than the average teapot, because they are intended for individual use, producing one to two servings of tea.

Since the 15th Century, YiXing pots have been used throughout China, where they are valued for their elegance and exceptional tea brewing capabilities. Over the years, their distinctive design and exquisite beauty attracted the attention of European tea drinkers. However, these pots are relatively unknown to tea enthusiasts in the United States, who are accustomed to larger teapots.

Those who craft YiXing pots feel that the unique properties of the purple clay make it ideal for brewing tea. Due to the porous nature of the clay, it absorbs the flavor, smell, and color of the tea that is brewed in it. Over time, these teapots develop a flavored coating on the inside, acquired from repeated use. When a tea is brewed in the pot, this coating imparts a unique flavor. As a result, most YiXing pot owners dedicate a single tea varietal to a specific teapot, so as to minimize the flavor interference caused by cross­brewing. YiXing pots are best suited for the brewing of black, , and aged Pu Er teas. While green and white teas may be brewed in a YiXing teapot, it is recommended the water be allowed to cool to 85 degrees Celsius before pouring into the pot.

“Brewing teas in YiXing pots has a long tradition outside the United States,” says Michael Cramer, Adagio’s Marketing Manager. “Introducing the tradition, beauty, and quality of this remarkable brewing device to American tea drinkers will enhance their tea drinking experience, and open their minds to the ways tea is appreciated globally.”

Adagio Teas was founded in 1999 with the aim of providing consumers with unmatched quality and variety of teas. It has become the most popular destination for tea online, and among the highest rated companies on BizRate and Epinions, the leading online surveys of customer satisfaction. Adagio was also singled out by Consumer Union as having the “most trustworthy” consumer practices. Its products are now available in many gourmet and health food stores.

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