With a collection history spanning several hundred years, the purple clay teapot has become deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. In China, these Teapots are believed to possess a spiritual essence. Therefore, collecting a purple clay teapot is not just about purchasing a good pot; nourishing the teapot is also an essential component of the collection process. The process of nurturing the teapot is imbued with the rich scent of Chinese culture.

The Process of Initiating a New Teapot

A newly crafted purple clay teapot lacks luster and cannot be used directly for brewing tea. Before a new teapot can be used, it must undergo a series of treatments known as “initiating the teapot.” There are various methods for initiating a new teapot, each with slight differences. Jin Fangzheng from Fangzheng Purple Clay introduced his four-step method:

Step one involves boiling the teapot in plain water for at least one hour. The lid and body of the teapot should be separated during this process, which is conducted over low heat until the water reaches boiling point. This step helps to release the earthy flavors and impurities trapped within the teapot's pores due to thermal expansion and contraction. Step two involves boiling the teapot with old tofu for at least one hour. This step is referred to as removing the fireiness, aiming to dispel the fireiness resulting from high-temperature firing. Step three requires boiling the teapot with the tender ends of sugarcane for at least one hour. Step four involves boiling the teapot with tea leaves for at least one hour. After completing these four steps, the purple clay teapot is ready for use.

The Principles of Nourishing a Teapot

Compared to initiating the teapot, the process of nurturing it is much longer and requires great patience. The master craftsmen in Yixing emphasize that “one must appreciate tea while nurturing the teapot, rather than appreciating tea as a means to nurture the teapot.” Indeed, nurturing a teapot is akin to cultivating one's temperament. A well-nourished teapot should exhibit a “dull” hue, with its luster being “subtle,” much like a gentleman who is dignified and stable.

Experts know that the most critical factor in nurturing a teapot is the quality of the clay. A teapot nurtured from high-quality clay will undoubtedly be beautiful. Conversely, no matter how much effort is invested, a teapot made from inferior clay will remain unchanged and fail to achieve the desired outcome.

However, having high-quality clay alone is not enough. Even a good teapot needs to be “nurtured.” Some collectors simply place their newly purchased purple clay teapots on display shelves or store them away in boxes. However, such methods of “storing” teapots are highly undesirable. Newly acquired teapots must be nurtured before being stored.

How does one “nurture” a teapot? While there are various methods, the overall principles are similar. The master craftsmen introduced several key principles for nurturing a teapot: thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of the teapot; avoiding contact with oil; using tea juice to nourish the surface of the teapot; moderate brushing; cleaning and drying after use; allowing the teapot to rest.

Specifically, when nurturing a teapot, several details should be observed: throughout the process, keep the teapot clean and ensure it does not come into contact with oil, maintaining the teapot's porous structure. During the brewing process, pour boiling water over the exterior of the teapot before adding water to the interior, a technique known as “wetting the teapot.” Regularly wipe the teapot with a cotton cloth and avoid leaving tea residue on the surface, as prolonged exposure can result in the accumulation of tea stains, affecting the appearance of the purple clay teapot. Purple clay teapots should have “rest periods”; typically, they should be air-dried for three to five days to ensure the entire teapot (with its porous structure) is thoroughly dry.

Common Misconceptions to Beware Of

The master craftsmen also provided advice regarding common misconceptions when using purple clay teapots.

Firstly, when nurturing a purple clay teapot, one must not rush the process. It is also important not to use materials such as polishing cloths with fine diamond grit particles, as these can damage the surface and leave scratches, compromising the texture of the purple clay.

Secondly, after Drinking Tea, the teapot should be emptied and cleaned, preferably without leaving any tea leaves behind. Although purple clay teapots do have the characteristic of not spoiling overnight, leftover tea will develop a stale flavor and is unhygienic, potentially harmful to health.

It is best to rotate the use of different teapots and develop the habit of using specific teapots for specific types of tea. Use one teapot for Black Tea, another for Green Tea, and yet another for Oolong Tea. Strictly differentiate between them to avoid confusion.