Purple clay Teapots are made from natural clay found deep within the local mountains, which is processed and then fired at temperatures between 1100-1200°C to create pottery.
Due to the presence of silicon dioxide, sodium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and other chemical components in the clay, the finished products exhibit a range of colors: red like vermilion, purple like grapes, dark red like inked chrysanthemums, and yellow like tangerines, all vivid and unpredictable. There are thousands of shapes for purple clay teapots, each unique in its square or round form, with geometric shapes that are finely crafted and have a simple, unadorned color.
Artisans use steel knives as brushes to engrave flowers, birds, landscapes, and calligraphy on the body of the teapot, making it an artwork that integrates literature, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, seal carving, and design. Enjoying the artistry of the teapot along with your Tea provides both enlightenment and aesthetic pleasure. Purple clay teapots come in various heights and mouth sizes, which closely relate to tea brewing.
Purple clay teapots are generally suitable for brewing Oolong tea; tall and small-mouthed teapots are ideal for brewing Green Tea or flower teas, bringing out their clear green color and pure taste. Purple clay teapots emphasize both form and function, combining aesthetics and practicality. Therefore, they are highly regarded as the “foremost tea utensils in the world” and enjoy the reputation of being “the most famous ceramics without equal.”
Compared with porcelain and other types of tea wares, purple clay teapots have the following characteristics, which explains why they are considered the best for brewing tea.
(1) When brewing tea with a purple clay teapot, the aroma is rich and long-lasting. The small spout and tight-fitting lid prevent the aroma from dissipating too quickly. Over time, a reddish-brown tea patina forms on the inner walls of the teapot, and the longer it is used, the more this patina accumulates, resulting in an even richer and more fragrant infusion. Long-used purple clay teapots can retain a delightful tea aroma even when only hot water is poured into them, something other types of teapots cannot achieve.
(2) Both inside and out, purple clay teapots are unglazed, allowing tiny pores to breathe. This breathability, combined with strong adsorption properties, sets them apart from other teapots. These pores help preserve the aromatic oils that are released when heated, enhancing the aroma and slightly increasing the acidity of the tea infusion, which has a mild astringent effect and can even kill bacteria. As a result, tea brewed in a purple clay teapot stays fresh longer, even in hot summer weather, which is the reason behind the saying, “It doesn't sour overnight in the heat of summer.”
(3) Purple clay teapots retain heat well due to the numerous small air bubbles present in the pot's walls. These bubbles contain non-circulating air, which is a poor conductor of heat, giving the teapot good insulation properties.
(4) When using a purple clay teapot for brewing tea, it is comfortable to carry and hold without burning your hands. Purple clay teapots have a slightly higher coefficient of thermal expansion than porcelain teapots and do not have glaze, eliminating issues related to thermal stress. After firing, there is very little glass content in purple clay teapots, providing them with excellent resistance to thermal shock. This means they can withstand drastic temperature changes, such as boiling water followed by immediate exposure to freezing temperatures, without cracking.
Therefore, when using a purple clay teapot to brew tea, it is comfortable to carry and hold without fear of burns; even in the dead of winter, you can use boiling water to brew tea without worrying about cracking, and you can even place it over a low flame without risk of shattering.