The purple clay Teapot is an old friend to most Tea enthusiasts. Especially when used for a long time, the surface of the pot becomes more lustrous and pleasant through stroking and polishing, a feature that makes many tea lovers fondle it with great affection. During the Ming Dynasty, the scholar Wen Long wrote in “Notes on Tea,” “Treasured and caressed, it is no less than a pearl in one's hand. After prolonged use, the exterior resembles purple jade, and the interior looks like green clouds.” Since the longer you use a purple clay teapot, the better it gets, and it emphasizes using both inside and out, wouldn't it be more effective for pot maintenance to steep a variety of teas? But why do people say “one pot for one type of tea”?

Many purple clay teapot enthusiasts will use a fixed type of tea leaves when Steeping tea, and many are unaware of the reasons behind this practice.

This habit is related to the characteristics of the purple clay teapot. Because of its unique double-pore structure, it is good at absorbing tea liquor. Therefore, a well-used purple clay teapot can produce a faintly flavored tea even without adding tea leaves, simply by pouring boiling water over it. As such, a teapot dedicated to one type of tea can ensure the freshness and purity of the original flavor. Otherwise, if you steep Oolong Tea today, Pu'er tea tomorrow, and floral tea the next day, the flavors would inevitably mix, losing any distinctive character.

It is worth noting that some people leave tea leaves in the pot to form a “tea mountain” within it, believing this adds to its antiquity. However, in hot and humid climates, mold can easily grow inside the teapot. From a hygiene perspective, this practice is not advisable. Some people also deliberately leave the last infusion of tea in the pot until the next use, thinking this method helps with internal and external nurturing. However, given that the purple clay teapot's porous structure is adept at absorbing tea liquor, it is also prone to absorbing mold. A teapot maintained in this manner may develop off-flavors or even pose health risks in the future, making it a counterproductive approach.

Drinking and appreciating tea is a leisurely cultural activity. Besides savoring the taste of tea, it also involves cultivating tranquility and composure, as well as enjoying the ease and joy it brings. When you adhere to “one pot for one type of tea,” you experience the subtle nuances of the tea's original essence, a pure and elegant flavor free from any mixed aromas, evoking a sense of individuality. However, when you look beyond “one pot for one type of tea,” you may discover another realm: casualness, spontaneity, inclusiveness, and a natural elegance that comes with ease.