After being away on a business trip for a week, I returned home looking forward to a relaxing afternoon Tea, only to find mold inside my Teapot when I opened the lid. What happened?
After brewing tea last time, I was called away for an urgent matter and neglected to clean the teapot. The tea leaves were left soaked in the remaining tea for several days, particularly during the hot summer weather when mold grows quickly. Over time, this can easily lead to mold growth.
In ancient times, ordinary households were frugal with their tea and often drank leftover tea from the previous day. In “Records of Superfluous Things,” Wen Zhenheng wrote: “Among Teapots, those made of purple clay are the best, as they neither overpower the aroma nor impart a sour taste to the tea.” This “sour taste” refers to the off-flavor that develops in stale tea. The fact that tea does not turn sour in a Purple Clay Teapot indicates its excellent breathability. Due to the unique properties of the clay and the crafting process, the double-pore structure is very pronounced. However, even with these characteristics, leaving the teapot sealed for extended periods can still result in mold growth.
High humidity in the air also makes it easy for purple clay teapots to develop mold. The storage environment for a purple clay teapot should be dry and well-ventilated to keep the interior of the pot dry. Storing the teapot in a brocade box can also lead to mold growth if the pot is not thoroughly dried first, as the enclosed space of the box accelerates the process. Therefore, this method is not recommended.
After brewing tea, promptly clean the purple clay teapot, remove the tea residue, wipe the exterior with a tea cloth, and place the teapot upside down on the tea tray to air-dry naturally. Once completely dry, store the teapot on a shelf like a scholar's rack where there is good ventilation. When you next want to Brew tea, simply rinse the teapot inside and out with hot water and warm it up before use.
If your teapot develops a musty odor, clean it thoroughly with water, then pour in some hot water, swirl it around, and then pour in cold water and swirl again. Repeat this process to eliminate the musty smell. This method works for zini and duanni types of purple clay teapots but not for zhuni.
Due to its high density, zhuni cannot withstand sudden temperature changes. If a zhuni teapot develops mold, simply recondition it by placing it in a clean pot filled with water that covers the teapot. Add a small amount of tea leaves to help remove any odors. Boil the water over low heat, then allow the teapot to cool naturally. Clean the teapot thoroughly afterward.