“Gold is worth a thousand taels, but soil is worth one.” “Why should we seek pearls and jade in the world when they are not as valuable as a handful of soil from Yangxian?” This soil, of course, isn't ordinary mud found by the roadside but rather the purple clay sourced from the original mines of Huanglong Mountain – the raw material for Purple Clay Teapots.

The Purple Clay Teapot is a unique product nurtured by the long history of Chinese civilization. In ancient times, people often compared its value to that of gold, and it was also referred to as “noble soil.” The Purple Clay teapot can be compared to the tripods and ritual vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

Six One Hall Sinking Fragrant Mud Gong Chun Teapot

Essentially, a tool, the Purple Clay teapot is used for Drinking Tea. Playing with and nurturing the teapot, of course, along with appreciating it, gives it artistic and craft value, making it suitable for collection. With the growing number of collectors, collecting Purple Clay teapots has become a popular investment choice. So, the question arises: do Purple Clay teapots intended for collection need to be nurtured?

Many people often have such questions:

Should I nurture my Purple Clay teapot before storing it away if it's meant for collection only?

For particularly valuable teapots meant for collection, is it better to store them directly or nurture them first?

When collecting Purple Clay teapots, is it enough to just display them?

Can I not use a new teapot meant for collection to Brew tea?

…

Lid Gua (Qingjiangpo) Six One Hall Collaboration Senior Craft Artist Wang Yinfang

Putting a Purple Clay teapot on a shelf and ignoring it may seem like the best way to protect it, but this is not the case. Not nurturing a teapot while collecting it is not the approach of a true Purple Clay collector.

Nurturing a teapot refers to the care and maintenance of the Purple Clay teapot in daily life. When playing with a teapot, nurturing it is essential because Purple Clay teapots can breathe, so nurturing them keeps them vibrant. The exchange and communication between a person and their teapot occurs through the gentle stroking of hands or soft fabrics like towels.

When nurturing the teapot, it is best to use mountain spring water because it is natural and has no odor, which would not interfere with the aroma of the tea. Chlorine in tap water can directly spoil the pure fragrance of the tea.

Some collectors may not know how to properly “nurture” their teapots. Below, let's discuss how to nurture a teapot well.

1. Brew Tea Frequently

To nurture a beautiful Purple Clay teapot, it is best to brew tea with it daily. Only with the immersion of tea water can the teapot develop a patina. However, avoid leaving water in the teapot; only add water when brewing tea.

2. Pour Hot Water Over the Teapot

Before brewing tea, rinse the inside and outside of the teapot with hot water (pay attention to the temperature difference, lukewarm water is sufficient). This can serve three purposes: removing mold, disinfecting, and warming the teapot.

3. Wipe the Teapot Body

When brewing tea, the pores of the teapot slightly expand due to the high water temperature. Moisture will appear on the surface of the teapot, and wiping it with a cloth in hot water will make the body of the teapot more lustrous.

4. Discard Tea Residue

After each tea brewing session, discard the tea residue and avoid leaving tea in the teapot. Keep both the inside and outside of the teapot clean. Drain all the water and keep the teapot dry. Do not allow any dampness to accumulate.

5. Clean Frequently

While using the Purple Clay teapot frequently, it is important to clean it regularly. Many teapot enthusiasts mistakenly believe that they do not need to clean the teapot regularly, thinking that leaving tea residue in the teapot will be beneficial for nurturing it. This view is incorrect, as it can lead to the accumulation of tea scale, which is unhygienic and can cause odors.

6. Store Properly

After using the teapot, rinse it clean, leave the lid open, and place it in a well-ventilated area where it can dry easily. Once completely dry, store it appropriately. Be cautious to prevent accidental knocks by others or children and avoid placing it in areas affected by cooking oil fumes, which could affect the luster of the teapot.

7. Match the Teapot with the Right Tea

A suitable teapot should be used for the right type of tea. If you want to drink a specific kind of tea, you should use the most appropriate teapot to bring out the best flavor. It is important to recognize this, to avoid confusion. You should not use the same teapot for different types of tea, as this would not allow the teapot to perform at its best and the tea drinker would not be able to enjoy the optimal taste of the tea.

It cannot be overstated that nurturing a teapot not only enhances its ability to “retain flavors and foster aromas,” causing the “patina” to gradually form and the teapot to become brighter over time, enhancing its elegance and sophistication. Nurturing a teapot is also a way to determine the quality of the teapot. Whether it is a Purple Clay teapot or the quality of the clay used can be discerned during the nurturing process.

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