Why do Chaoshan people rarely use sand teapots (also called purple sand teapots) to make tea?

People from the Chaoshan region (Teochew) rarely use Yixing clay teapots (zisha pots) to brew tea. The main reason lies in the type of tea they drink and their unique tea culture. 

1. Tea Type – Phoenix Dancong (Single Bush Oolong)
Chaoshan people primarily drink Phoenix Dancong tea, a type of oolong tea known for its strong aroma, large leaves, and complexity. This tea requires specific brewing conditions:

Dancong teas are brewed with the “high pour, fast pour-out” technique to preserve their fragrance and avoid bitterness.

Yixing clay teapots are more porous and retain heat longer, making them better suited for teas like pu-erh, black tea, or roasted oolong, not for delicate Dancong teas that need quick infusion.

2. Brewing Style – Gongfu Tea Method
Chaoshan people follow the traditional Gongfu tea ceremony, which uses specialized teaware:

They typically use small porcelain gaiwans (lidded bowls) with thin walls and quick heat dissipation.

Other accessories include fairness pitchers, aroma cups, and small tasting cups for precise control of brewing temperature and time.

Yixing teapots are larger, slower to heat and cool, making them unsuitable for the quick, controlled brewing needed for Dancong teas.

3. Zisha Pot “Seasoning” Conflicts with Dancong Tea
Yixing clay teapots are prized for their ability to “absorb and enhance” tea flavor over time, so they are often dedicated to one type of tea.

However, Dancong teas come in many aromatic varieties (like Honey Orchid, Duck Shit Aroma, Gardenia, etc.), and using one pot for different types can cause flavor contamination.

So the idea of "seasoning" a Yixing pot doesn't work well for the diverse profiles of Dancong tea.

In Summary:
Chaoshan people rarely use Yixing teapots because the characteristics of Phoenix Dancong tea and the Gongfu brewing method require tools that allow quick, precise control—something Yixing clay pots are not designed for. Instead, porcelain gaiwans are the preferred choice.