A Teapot enthusiast left a message saying that his Purple Clay Teapot had not been used for some time. When he opened the lid, he found some mold spots on the pot wall and there was also an odor. Although he washed it, he was worried that there might be mold inside the spout as well, which caused him some concern. He had intended to enjoy a cup of tea to cultivate his artistic sensibilities, but when he saw the mold spots, he instantly felt unwell.

In fact, many collectors of such pots may encounter this issue when they are unaware of how to handle it. Typically, when we buy a new pot, we rinse it with tea or water to “wake up” the clay. However, when we store it in a brocade box, we often overlook a crucial detail. This is a big no-no when storing a purple clay teapot.

Here, I will explain some possible reasons why your purple clay teapot may develop mold spots:

Possibility one: After washing the teapot, the enthusiast did not wait for it to completely dry before closing the lid. This allowed residual water to accumulate, creating a damp environment within the pot. The lack of air circulation provided ideal conditions for mold growth.

Possibility two: High humidity in the air can cause this. In February and March, it is the rainy season in southern China, and the air is very humid. If the space is not well-ventilated, improperly stored purple clay Teapots can also develop mold.

How do you remove “mold spots”?

Procedure: Pour boiling water into the purple clay teapot, then once the pot is thoroughly heated, pour out the water and refill with cold boiled water. Repeat this process several times, which should both remove the mold spots and eliminate the moldy smell. Some people may ask: why does this work? It's because the unique breathability and contraction properties of the purple clay allow it to expand and contract like human skin when exposed to changes in temperature.

What if you have already used the teapot for brewing tea and don't want to use it for now but are worried about mold growth? How should you store it properly?

Many teapot enthusiasts likely own more than just one or two teapots. But with multiple teapots on the tea table, they might bump into each other and get damaged. Therefore, after using a teapot for a period, you may want to let it rest for a while. For these temporarily unused purple clay teapots, there should be a specific way to care for them.

Some people may think, “Do I really need to go through all this trouble just to store a teapot?” Here, I would say that it is somewhat necessary. At the very least, make sure to clean the teapot thoroughly and avoid leaving tea residue inside.

Some friends prefer a simpler approach and simply wash the teapot and put it back in the brocade box it came in. However, I do not recommend doing this. Placing a purple clay teapot in a brocade box means it will not be well-ventilated. The tea stains and other substances inside the teapot can easily become moldy and develop an unpleasant odor, making storage difficult!

Therefore, I suggest following these four steps when storing a purple clay teapot long-term:

1. Ensure that the used purple clay teapot is completely air-dried; there must be no moisture inside. To check if the teapot is dry, place a piece of paper towel inside, close the lid, and check the paper towel the next day.

2. If the teapot still contains moisture, do not wrap it up or put it in a box, as the tea stains inside can easily become moldy.

3. Teaware should be stored in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing it in a damp or poorly ventilated location. Ideally, you should have a dedicated shelf for your teapots at home.

4. If a teapot is not going to be used for a long time, place a handful of dry tea leaves inside. These tea leaves should be of the same type that the teapot has been used for. Periodically check if the tea leaves inside the teapot have become damp. If they have, immediately remove the tea leaves, open the lid, and thoroughly air-dry the teapot again. The benefit of doing this is to prevent the tea stains from developing mold. We know that tea leaves are highly absorbent and can take in moisture from the air. Water vapor can enter the teapot through the mouth and spout. If there is a handful of dry tea leaves inside the teapot, they will absorb this moisture first, helping to maintain the dryness inside the teapot.

After that, you can store the teapot in a brocade box or on a shelf! When you use it again, simply rinse the purple clay teapot inside and out with hot water one or two times!

Many people may set aside items for various reasons, much like some purple clay teapots that are used for a while and then put aside. There should be a specific way to care for these temporarily unused purple clay teapots. Even idle purple clay teapots must be maintained. A true teapot lover must learn how to care for their teapot to ensure its longevity.