A brand new purple clay Teapot straight from the kiln is not recommended for direct use in brewing Tea. After being fired in the kiln and covered in dust, the pot requires some cleaning and preparation before use. This process is known as “inaugurating the teapot.”

The practice of inaugurating a teapot has a long history. Nowadays, there are many different methods suggested online, such as using tofu lees, sugarcane, or boiling the pot in water. So, how do the locals in Yixing inaugurate their Teapots?

Here are my professional insights on inaugurating a teapot, which I would like to share with fellow enthusiasts:

Step 1: Upon purchasing a new teapot, inspect it thoroughly. If there are no issues, clean both the inside and outside of the pot with a tea cloth (mainly to wash away dust and white quartz sand).

Step 2: Pour boiling water over the cleaned teapot, allowing it to absorb water fully. Give the pot a bath (for Zhu Ni and Dahongpao pots, use warm water; pay special attention to temperature differences in autumn and winter to avoid thermal shock that could cause the pot to crack).

Step 3: After pouring boiling water two to three times, you can choose an appropriate tea to brew. (If you're more meticulous, brew and discard the first one or two infusions, which will help remove any earthy odor and the smell of firing).

This method of inaugurating a teapot is simple and efficient, effectively removing the clay smell and kiln dust while also making the pot easier to maintain and develop a patina quickly.

While Drinking Tea can be a carefree and enjoyable activity, inaugurating the teapot is an essential step and a subject with its own set of rules and practices.