I have a friend who is rather careless and impetuous, so his family advised him to drink tea to cultivate calmness.

This friend isn't opposed to Tea, especially Pu'er, and two years ago he bought an old purple clay Shípiáo pot. He liked it so much that if he didn't use it to Brew tea one day, he felt uncomfortable.

He described the feeling as if a heavy smoker couldn't smoke for a day, which he called “tea addiction.”

Recently, my friend's “tea addiction” flared up, and due to his careless nature, he ran out of Pu'er tea at home without replenishing it in advance.

He told me he was desperate, and as a temporary fix, he poured hot water into the old purple clay Shípiáo pot and drank it as he usually would with tea.

He said that at first, he thought he was hallucinating, because even though it was just boiling water, it tasted like the Pu'er tea he usually drinks. But after a few sips, it still tasted like Pu'er.

He exclaimed, “The pot has become magical,” and I explained that it was simply well-nourished.

The Benefits of Using One Pot for One Tea

Pot enthusiasts often follow the “one pot for one tea” practice, meaning they always use their favorite pot for the same type of tea.

“One pot for one tea” is actually a good habit, closely related to the characteristics of purple clay pots.

These pots are excellent for brewing tea due to their unique dual-pore structure, which absorbs tea essence effectively.

Thus, a well-used purple clay pot can produce a faint tea flavor even when filled only with boiling water.

Therefore, a pot dedicated to a single type of tea can preserve the original freshness and purity of its flavor. Otherwise, if you brew Oolong Tea one day, Pu'er the next, and floral tea the following day, the flavors will mix, losing any distinctive character.

What If You Don't Want to Use One Pot for One Tea?

But what if a pot enthusiast loves a particular pot but wants to try a different type of tea? In this case, we need to clean the purple clay pot.

First, fill it with boiling water, shake it a few times, then pour it out and immediately immerse it in cold water to remove any odd flavors, repeating several times.

Alternatively, you can boil the pot in a pot of clear water, ensuring it is submerged. During this process, you can add the new tea you want to switch to.

Afterward, steep the new tea for a few hours, then discard the liquid and clean the pot thoroughly.

Your Mindset Determines Your Choice

With these methods to clean your beloved pot, is it still necessary to adhere to the “one pot for one tea” rule?

I believe that in the world of pot enthusiasts, we can do away with terms like “necessary” and “should,” which represent logic and rules. Drinking and appreciating tea is more about mindset and enjoyment.

Some people drink tea seeking composure and tranquility, while others seek happiness, relaxation, and joy.

When you stick to using one pot for one type of tea, you experience the subtle nuances of the tea's original flavor, its pure elegance without any mixed aromas, and a sense of individuality and the pleasure of staying true to oneself;

When you don't insist on using one pot for one type of tea, you might find another realm of casualness, inclusiveness, and ease, with a carefree spirit and a natural charm.

Purple clay pots have endured for thousands of years and continue to thrive in modern times, thanks to their integration of China's profound traditional culture. Playing with a purple clay pot allows people to experience a broad-mindedness and a sense of depth and serenity.

By now, each pot enthusiast likely has their own judgment regarding the “one pot for one tea” practice.

Reminder:

Regarding the dual-pore structure of purple clay pots, it's important to note that some people leave tea leaves inside to form a “tea mountain,” believing it adds to the vintage feel. Others deliberately keep the last infusion in the pot until the next use, thinking it enhances both internal and external nourishment.

However, since purple clay pots readily absorb both tea essence and mold, such practices could lead to an unpleasant taste or even be detrimental to health, making them counterproductive.

Source: Purple Clay Pot Encyclopedia, information shared for educational purposes. If there are copyright issues, please contact us to remove it.