Cold winter weather sees many friends enjoying Tea brewed in purple clay Teapots, drinking for health and playing with the pot for peace of mind. Without a clear understanding of the rules for maintaining a purple clay Teapot in winter, it's easy to accidentally cause your cherished teapot to crack, which can be heartbreaking. Today, we're sharing some practical winter teapot maintenance tips.

Warm the Teapot Before brewing:

Winter is not suitable for directly pouring hot water into the teapot for brewing, as the teapot body temperature is low during this season, and pouring boiling water directly could cause cracking.

However, winter teapot maintenance isn't as complicated or daunting as you might imagine.

Before using the purple clay teapot normally for brewing and nurturing, first pour warm water into the teapot, filling it about halfway. Close the lid and shake gently several times to ensure even heating. Pour out the water, which can be used to rinse tea cups and the fair cup, so it doesn't go to waste. This simple step warms the teapot and cleans the teapot and tea utensils. Finally, add tea leaves to the teapot and proceed with normal brewing.

The Principle Behind This Method:

Objects are prone to cracking when subjected to sudden thermal expansion and contraction, especially if the heating or cooling is uneven. In such cases, different parts of the object expand or contract at different rates, leading to high stress concentrations. For materials that are hard, have low ductility, and are brittle with poor heat conductivity, cracks can easily form under these conditions of concentrated stress.

Things to Note When Maintaining Your Teapot in Winter:

1. Nourish the Teapot with Tea Infusion for a Smooth Finish:

When brewing tea, pour the tea infusion over the purple clay teapot. The tea infusion is easily evaporated by the heat of the teapot and absorbed by its surface.

2. Keep It Clean for a Patina:

Tea stains will accumulate on the surface of the teapot. Gently brush these away with a teapot brush to keep it clean. With regular brushing and washing, the surface of the teapot will develop a matte finish known as “patina.” This patina is resistant to high-pressure cleaning and adds a refined touch.

Some people use oily hands or oily cloths to polish the teapot to a shine, which is referred to as a “fugitive shine” by older generations. However, after washing, the shine disappears, but the oil stains remain, leaving unsightly blemishes. Teapot maintenance requires patience; only by keeping the teapot clean can you nurture a teapot of high quality and character.

3. Don't Be Overly Deliberate in Maintaining Your Teapot:

The beauty of a well-maintained teapot is a natural byproduct of Tea drinking and the cultivation of one's spirit through tea. If you become too focused on quick results and are overly eager to achieve the “patina,” neglecting the enjoyment of tea itself, you risk losing sight of the true meaning of teapot maintenance. Enjoying tea and nurturing your teapot naturally is the way for tea lovers to live positively and actively embody the path of tea and teapot.

Maintaining your purple clay teapot doesn't require complicated steps. Simply being mindful during daily use can help protect your beloved teapot. During the colder winter months, take extra care when maintaining your teapot, following a gradual process with protection as the primary focus and nurturing as a secondary consideration, ensuring a cozy winter season.

Source: Purple Clay Teapot

Contact us to remove if there is any infringement.