Su Mingzhi 蘇铭智 is a young but very talented teapot maker from Chaozhou. He is specialised in ultra-thin Egg-Yolk-Clay teapots and classical shapes. I fell in love with his work on my last trip in Chaozhou and am very happy to offer a small selection of his models here.
Su Mingzhi is a teapot maker from Chaozhou, China, known for his refined skill in crafting traditional teapots from local Chaozhou clay. He specializes in classic forms such as the li xing hu (pear-shaped teapot) and shui ping hu (classical horizontal teapot), shaping each piece by hand using the wheel-throwing technique. His work is deeply rooted in the Chaozhou gongfu tea tradition.
"A good teapot is made in service of tea." (freely translated from Chinese)
Su Mingzhi works exclusively with native Chaozhou zhuni (朱泥), a fine, high-crystallinity clay rich in iron. This material, once fired, produces a distinctive orange-red tone that is highly prized in the gongfu tea community. He often applies traditional techniques such as diaosha (textured sand mixing) and shang tushi (applying decorative slip) to enhance surface and function.
Each of his teapots is delicately thrown with thin walls and small volumes, making them ideal for brewing gongfu tea. His approach honors regional heritage while focusing on utility and balance.

The person behind UNEARTHED
For over 15 years I have been collecting ceramics and drinking tea very seriously. Now I am funnelling all of that experience into finding and curating great wares and tea.
We only sell what I personally like a lot, and that includes the tea I drink myself every day. I choose every maker. I taste every tea before it goes into the shop. I travel to Japan and China to meet the people who make what we sell.
Until now the entire endeavour is in my hands from end to end: sourcing, logistics, photography, education, labelling and packing your parcels.
Our gallery, studio, and tea space are a hub for experiencing and sharing the art of ceramics and tea.
Similar to the concept of “Utsuwa-galleries” in Japan, we are holding monthly exhibitions of unique ceramicists from Japan, China and Europe.
We also regularly host Workshops and Tea Experiences, and we supply cafés and shops with matcha and equipment at wholesale prices.
Beauty and grace. Put in a lower amount of leaf for a delicate and ethereal brew. Add some more leaf for more body, robustness and power. Regardless of what you choose, this gorgeous material is always in balance. Definitely will be buying more!
tastes very good. I drink matcha Latte daily and i tried many different brands, the best matcha ive ever tried is this one. I am very happy with unearthed gallery! Thank you.
Wonderful maocha. Incredible craftsmanship that lasts through many infusions. Clean and powerful flavor. Highly recommended.
The Kagoshima Okumidori Matcha is outstanding vibrant green, incredibly smooth, and packed with a beautiful umami depth. Top-tier authentic quality! The website was easy to use, shipping was fast, and the packaging was excellent.
Sehr guter Geschmack. Ich bin hoch zufrieden. Es war der erste 'echte' Matcha überhaupt für mich.