Often, pot enthusiasts ask what type of clay is best for brewing different teas. Below are some personal experiences summarized for your reference:

1. Duan Ni, Ben Shan Green, and light-colored clays are not well-suited for black Tea, Pu'er tea, or dark tea. In particular, after brewing dark tea, the pot walls absorb black tea stains, leading to artificial darkening.

Lao Duan Ni Xishi Pot

2. Zhu Ni, Dahongpao, and red clay pots can be used with any tea, but they are especially good for brewing Tieguanyin and other Oolong teas, which helps achieve excellent patina development.

3. Di Cao Qing and Qing Shui Ni pots are suitable for a wide range of teas!

Di Cao Qing Fagǔ Rúyì Pot

4. Purple clay pots are better suited for brewing Pu'er, black tea, and dark tea, although they can also be used for other teas.

5. Large-capacity pots are not ideal for brewing Green Tea.

6. Duan Ni and light-colored clays are suitable for Biluochun, Longjing, Maojian, Tieguanyin, and other similar teas.

7. Jiangpo Ni pots are particularly good for brewing Tieguanyin.

8. Purple clay pots used for brewing Tieguanyin tend to develop a particularly lustrous appearance due to the rich aromatic oils in the tea leaves, making it an excellent tool for developing the patina.

Purple Clay Level Pot

Yixing black tea is unique as it generally produces an excellent patina. The tea liquor is not deeply colored, yet the tea leaves contain abundant aromatic oils. It's best to use one type of tea for one pot. Note that golden duan ni, old duan ni, Ben Shan Green, and gray or other light-colored pots should not be used to brew teas that produce dark stains.

After Patination

Special Reminder: When using Zhu Ni pots in winter, pay attention to temperature changes; do not pour hot water into them abruptly; warm the pot first. This is because Zhu Ni has a very high shrinkage ratio, and sudden temperature changes can cause cracking!