In the various types of clay used for Purple Clay Teapots, Zhu Ni has always been rather special, with its ruddy color and fine texture, making it a favorite among many teapot enthusiasts.

Due to its low sand content and difficulty in production, a good Zhu Ni teapot is particularly hard to come by.

Once you own a Zhu Ni teapot, there are methods to using it properly.

1. Firstly, seasoning the teapot: Zhu Ni teapots have a high degree of crystallization after firing and lower absorbency, so care should be taken when seasoning them. As for the internet rumors about using tofu or sugarcane, many friends already have the right judgment and do not believe these tales.

The process for seasoning a Zhu Ni teapot is also three steps: Cleanse: After receiving the teapot, clean both the inside and outside thoroughly; Infuse: Place your usual Tea leaves inside the teapot and let them steep; Rinse again: Discard the tea residue and rinse the teapot clean.

▲Three-step seasoning

Note that warm water should be used.

2. Secondly, warming the teapot: This is also why warm water is used, as we often say that Zhu Ni has a higher degree of crystallization and is relatively “brittle.” Therefore, when nurturing a Zhu Ni teapot, the first thing to pay attention to is “warming the teapot.”

In winter, if boiling water is used directly, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the teapot can cause the Zhu Ni teapot to crack easily.

Before brewing tea, pour warm water into the teapot, then pour over the exterior, and finally use hot water to pour over it again. This is known as warming the teapot.

3. Most importantly, using the teapot: During the use of a Zhu Ni teapot, many friends use small Zhu Ni teapots to brew Gongfu tea and often pour tea soup over the exterior for maintenance, at which point they might prepare a tea cloth for wiping.

This method of wiping is correct, preventing the accumulation of tea stains and keeping the teapot clean. However, it is important to note that one should not constantly wipe the teapot vigorously with a dry towel, as this will make the surface of the teapot brighter over time, but this is akin to polishing, rather than natural patina formation.

4. Choose suitable tea: Due to the inherent characteristics of Zhu Ni clay, which has a high density and fewer pores, its breathability is slightly inferior compared to other clays, making it particularly effective for enhancing the aroma of tea.

Therefore, it is better to use a Zhu Ni teapot for brewing Taiwanese high mountain tea, Tie Guan Yin, Longjing tea, dark tea, and other teas that are lightly fermented and emphasize aroma.

Finally, diligent use will naturally result in a well-nourished Zhu Ni teapot in your hands!

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