The term “initiating a Teapot” refers to a series of procedures carried out before using a new teapot. Connoisseurs call this process “initiating a teapot,” and its purpose is to eliminate the earthy smell of the clay, remove any residual sand particles, and better open up the teapot's dual-pore structure, making it more conducive for brewing Tea and revealing its true flavor. This also contributes to an enjoyable experience when appreciating and nurturing the teapot.

The methods for initiating a teapot vary widely, with suggestions such as boiling with Tofu, sugarcane, tea leaves, or plain water, and even adding banana peels, agate, or orange flesh—almost everything but soy sauce and monosodium glutamate. It is said that each method has its own benefits (I have not personally tested these methods, so I cannot confirm their effectiveness). Many enthusiasts eagerly follow these methods, enjoying the process of initiating their Teapots. After initiation, they allow the tea to thoroughly moisturize the teapot for the first time, which is why many passionate collectors believe that initiation is an indispensable step.

Last night, I visited a friend who enjoys purple clay teapots, and we chatted until nearly ten o'clock in the evening. I specifically asked him about his views on initiating teapots. He said, “Those methods for initiating teapots can't be said to be bad, but they are just appropriate for different stages. When I first started learning about and handling teapots, I also tried many initiation methods. Later, as my collection grew, I no longer had the patience to spend so much time on initiation. I simply rinse them with plain water, wash them with warm water, and then start using them for brewing tea, discarding the first two or three infusions. As you can see, all my teapots are still pleasingly lustrous. The key to using and nurturing a teapot lies in natural use, without excessive effort.”

I increasingly agree with my friend's viewpoint, “effortless action yet accomplishing everything.” This resonates with what I've been reading in Laozi's “Tao Te Ching” recently: “If one can act in accordance with nature without forcing things, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.”

Let's first understand the popular “secrets” for initiating teapots. These are not my own creations, and I have not tried all of them myself. Please read and apply the following three original methods for initiating teapots with caution:

One: The Pouring Method

1. Cleaning Stains: Clean the inside and outside of the teapot, including its accessories, then pour hot water over it, which can serve to remove mold, disinfect, and warm the teapot at the same time.

2. Start Brewing Tea: While the water is still hot, wipe the teapot body. During tea brewing, due to the extremely high temperature of the water, the fine pores of the teapot will slightly expand, and steam will appear on the surface of the teapot. At this time, you can use a clean, thin cotton towel to wipe the entire teapot several times during the first few infusions or use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in toothpaste to thoroughly brush both the inside and outside of the teapot several times, then rinse it with hot water to remove the earthy taste. This method can utilize the heat of the water to make the teapot body brighter and smoother.

3. Repeated Brewing: Discard the first few infusions, which should not be consumed. After pouring out several infusions, most of the “fire” from the teapot will be eliminated, and then it's time for daily maintenance!

The advantage of the pouring method is its simplicity and convenience; it can be done on the tea table without the need for elaborate equipment.

Two: The Boiling Method

The boiling method is used for teapots with a strong earthy smell, and the steps are relatively complex.

1. Warm-Up: Boil the Teapot in Water

First, thoroughly clean the stains on the teapot (including leftover sand and dust). Rinse it once with boiling water, then wipe it clean with a clean teapot cloth dipped in water, and let it air-dry naturally. Then place the teapot in a pot without oil residue and add water three times its height (enough to submerge the teapot by about an inch). Boil for one hour, which will remove the earthy smell and fire from the teapot.

2. Cooling Down: Boil the Teapot with Tofu

After removing the teapot, let it and the teapot accessories cool down to room temperature. Place the tofu in the teapot (it is recommended to use old tofu because it has a stronger absorption capacity), pressing it in slightly to prevent the tofu from coming out of the teapot when the water boils. After filling, place it in cold water and heat it to boiling. Boil for about an hour until the kitchen fills with the aroma of tofu, then wait for another 5-10 minutes.

Tofu contains gypsum, which has a cooling effect. This step aims to remove the “fire” from the teapot (some people believe that the “fire” is very strong due to the kiln firing process) and can decompose any remaining substances in the teapot.

3. Moisturizing: Boil the Teapot with Sugarcane

After boiling the teapot with tofu, remove it, clean it with water, and let it cool down to room temperature. Cut the sugarcane into pieces and place it in the pot (if there is no sugarcane, you can add some sugar), and boil for another hour until the air is filled with the aroma of sugarcane for 5-10 minutes. The natural sugars in the sugarcane provide unprecedented nourishment to the teapot.

4. Revitalization: Set the Flavor with Tea Leaves

Determine the type of tea you want to brew with this teapot in the future, and remember to use only one type of tea per teapot (the reason will be explained below). Place the selected tea leaves and the teapot back into the pot with cold water and boil again. Once the air is filled with the aroma of the tea, wait for about 10 minutes. Remove the teapot and gently rub the body and lid with the tea leaves from the pot for several minutes. Finally, rinse the teapot with warm water.

This step sets the flavor for the teapot, determining the type of tea it will be used for in the future. After this transformation, the teapot absorbs the essence of the tea, and the first infusion of tea can leave a lasting aftertaste in the mouth of the tea drinker.

Three: A Secret Method for Initiating Teapots

The specific method is also a boiling method, but the materials used differ from conventional methods. The procedure is as follows:

1. First, clean the newly purchased teapot with water. Then, boil the teapot in water. After the water boils, continue boiling for 10-20 minutes. Allow the teapot to cool naturally, and remove it from the water. Discard the water and proceed to the next step. It is best to wrap the body and lid separately in cheesecloth to prevent them from colliding when the water boils.

2. Use 10-15 grams of “cat whisker grass” (available at pharmacies, very cheap, also known as “fossil grass,” commonly used to treat various types of stones) along with 3-5 dried lychee shells and 5-8 fresh bamboo leaves. Wrap these in cheesecloth and boil them in water. After the water boils, let it cool, then put the teapot in and boil for 30 minutes. If the water level drops, immediately add more water to ensure it covers the teapot. For red clay or ver