Purple clay Teapots are known as “five-colored earth,” which gives an idea of the multitude of colors in the clay.

Many types of clay have similar pronunciations but are quite different from each other. Are you still having trouble telling them apart? For example, let's talk about the difference between Qinghuini and Qinghuiduan clays. You might mistakenly think they are the same type of clay, but they are not. Here are the differences between these two types of clay:

Qinghuini Clay

Qinghuini is situated between Dicongqing (Bottom Groove Clear) and Purple Clay. In principle, it is a type of purple clay. However, because it turns bluish gray after firing, it is categorized separately as Qinghuini.

Qinghuini is a relatively niche type of clay that is favored by middle-class people. Its unique texture, smooth and delicate like jade, has earned it the title of the “modest gentleman” among purple clay teapots.

As the most popular type of clay during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Qinghuini embodies the era's distinctive characteristics: rustic, elegant, and tranquil. It is unassuming and refined.

The clay is fine-grained, rustic, and elegant, with a high iron content. Tea brewed in a Qinghuini Teapot is mild, harmonious, sweet, and flavorful. Typically, these teapots are fired at high temperatures and exhibit a distinct dual-pore structure, making them perfect for brewing tea with a rich, aged flavor.

Qinghuiduan Clay

Qinghuiduan belongs to the Duan category. Duan clay is a mixture of green and purple clays found together in the mountains.

Duan clay usually has a yellowish hue, but there is a type called Sesame Duan in Huanglong Mountain whose entire clay body is speckled with purple clay particles.

The color of Sesame Duan changes depending on the proportion of purple clay and the firing temperature. If there is more purple clay, the color leans towards red; under high temperatures, it turns bluish or grayish.

Conversely, if there is a higher proportion of green clay, the fired color is more yellowish, turning grayish-white at high temperatures.

Qinghuiduan can be considered an advanced version of Sesame Duan. Compared to Sesame Duan, the components of Qinghuiduan are purer, and it is fired at a higher temperature.