Many people, when buying a purple clay pot, mostly focus on the clay material and craftsmanship as well as the maker, with their understanding of the pot shape largely based on personal preference. This way of choosing a pot ensures that you get one you like, but it may not be the best for your Tea! Different shapes of purple clay pots do have an impact on different types of tea.

What is the impact of purple clay pot shapes on tea brewing?

1. Round Pots are the most practical

Round pots, the most common, appear simple yet unpretentious, and are what beginners can buy at the most reasonable price. Tall and narrow-necked pots are suitable for brewing fermented teas; however, if they are too tall, the flavor will be lost. For teas such as Pu'er and black tea, which require high temperatures to brew, selecting a pot of this shape helps bring out a sweeter aroma and richer taste;

Short and wide-mouthed pots are suitable for non-fermented teas, but if they are too short, the lid is prone to overflow. Teas like green tea, Tie Guan Yin, Longjing, and Biluochun can fully display their unique fragrance and fresh taste at around 85 degrees Celsius. Round pots also excel at bringing out the aroma of Oolong Tea. The rolled-up shape of Oolong tea leaves benefits from the ample space provided by a round pot, allowing the semi-spherical leaves to fully expand. If you enjoy drinking Oolong tea, then buying a round pot is the most practical choice, as after adding water, the round walls of the pot allow the water to flow smoothly and mix more gently with the tea leaves, aiding in the release of the tea's flavor.

2. Flat Pots are ideal for reducing the smoky flavor of aged Wuyi tea

Flat pots are suitable for brewing Wuyi tea in strip form. A lower percentage of Yixing pots are made in this flat shape due to its lower success rate during firing (or “finished product rate”). These flatter pots provide a strong sense of stability, allowing strip-shaped tea leaves to settle calmly within, releasing their rich aroma. When water is added, the shorter walls of the flat pot naturally slow down the flow, and combined with the smaller internal space, the tea leaves are more easily immersed in the water, gently releasing their essence. I believe that the compact space of a flat pot is precisely where the rock aroma of Wuyi tea can be fully expressed without compromise.

3. Square Pots are more aesthetically pleasing than functional

The key to making square pots lies in ensuring the clay is very evenly mixed; otherwise, the difficulty and failure rate during assembly would be very high. Due to the internal angles of square pots, the tea leaves do not roll easily, and the flow of water can be obstructed. However, square pots stand out in terms of appearance, making them more visually appealing than practical.

What types of tea are suitable for brewing with a purple clay pot?

Pu'er tea requires high-temperature brewing, and the good heat retention properties of a purple clay pot help bring out a rich and lasting aroma. It does not lose the essential character of the tea and instead highlights the aged aroma and flavor of Pu'er tea.

Dark tea, similar to Pu'er tea, becomes more fragrant and flavorful with age. Using a purple clay pot to brew dark tea can “retain the aroma while dissipating the heat,” preserving the original flavor and the true aroma and taste of the dark tea.

Black tea is a fully fermented tea with a bright red liquor and long-lasting aroma. Brewing black tea with a purple clay pot enhances the vibrant color of the tea liquor, and the excellent heat retention properties of the pot meet the requirement for brewing with 90-degree Celsius water.

Oolong tea has the most stringent requirements for brewing utensils, particularly the pot. Purple clay pots, such as those made with red clay, have a higher mesh count and greater density, which minimizes the loss of aroma from high-aroma teas like Oolong. For example, a Zhu Ni pot retains heat and enhances the aroma, making it the perfect companion for Oolong tea.