Maintaining a Purple Clay Teapot is different from nurturing it; the most important aspect of nurturing involves using Tea broth to nourish the pot during use, while maintenance pertains to how you care for your pot after use.

Properly maintaining your purple clay Teapot is also greatly beneficial for its long-term use. A clean teapot will produce a clean patina, which over time can become as smooth and lustrous as jade.

So how should you maintain your teapot?

Four Methods for Maintaining Your Purple Clay Teapot

1. Do Not Leave Tea Broth in the Pot

After Drinking Tea, be sure to clean up promptly. Some enthusiasts believe that leaving tea broth in the pot after drinking helps with the maintenance of the purple clay teapot.

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Do not do this! While it's true that purple clay Teapots can resist souring overnight (at most) in winter, try it in summer and see if it doesn't sour!

In fact, the claim that purple clay teapots resist souring overnight is somewhat exaggerated. Due to their unique double-pore structure, even if the tea broth inside has gone bad, it won't create a slick like it would in porcelain.

2. Ensure the Teapot is Dry When Not in Use for an Extended Period

After use, do not wrap up or box the purple clay teapot directly. If there is moisture inside, it can easily mold.

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A used purple clay teapot must be thoroughly dried before storing. To determine if the teapot is dry, place a piece of tissue paper inside, close the lid, and check the next day to see if the tissue is damp.

Then place some dry tea leaves inside the teapot and periodically check if they are damp. If they are, remove the tea leaves and thoroughly dry the teapot again.

3. Clean Out the Tea Scale

Tea scale is another source of odd smells in purple clay teapots. Not only does tea scale easily mold, but it is also unhealthy. It is best to clean it out regularly.

4. Choose the Right Storage Location

While life requires a bit of smokiness and warmth, do not place your purple clay teapot in areas with cooking oil fumes, as purple clay absorbs odors. The surface of the pot will become oily, and it will take on the smell of the fumes.

Do not store the teapot in damp corners, basements, or other such places, especially in humid southern regions, where it can become a natural breeding ground for mold during plum rains.

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If your teapot is clean, the tea brewed will taste better, and the patina developed will look better too, as these factors complement each other. Therefore, properly maintaining your purple clay teapot brings many benefits. Don't you agree?

Article Source: Purple Clay Teapot

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