As is well known, the advantage of purple clay teapots lies in Tea brewing. What is the connection between them? Generally speaking, purple clay teapots are not picky about the type of tea; any kind of tea can be brewed using a purple clay teapot. However, how to best match the characteristics of the pot with those of the tea is a question worth studying. Brewing certain teas in specific pots can make the pot more lustrous and produce a richer, more fragrant infusion.
1. Crimson Clay Teapot
【Crimson Clay Teapot】usually has a high mesh count and a dense structure, which results in minimal loss of the aroma of highly aromatic teas. It enhances the tea's qualities by concentrating and enhancing its fragrance, making it an excellent companion for Oolong teas. Crimson clay teapots are suitable for brewing highly aromatic teas such as Taiwanese high mountain teas and Tieguanyin from Anxi, effectively bringing out their aromatic properties. Teapots used to brew Tieguanyin often develop a particularly bright sheen due to the rich aromatic oils in the tea leaves.
It should be noted that crimson clay has a very high shrinkage ratio and is prone to cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction. In winter, attention must be paid to temperature changes, and hot water should not be poured into the pot without warming it up first.
2. Purple Clay Teapot
【Purple Clay】is divided into three types: purple clay, clear purple clay, and bottom groove blue.
Purple clay is recommended for brewing various series of oolong tea and Pu'er tea.
【Clear Purple Clay】and 【Bottom Groove Blue】are recommended for brewing various series of Pu'er tea, oolong tea, flower tea, black tea, and Green Tea.
3. Duan Clay Teapot
【Duan Clay】, 【Original Green Clay】, and the 【Blue-Grey Clay】 made from Duan clay base mine refining share similar characteristics: they are light and porous, making them good for brewing green tea. Purple clay teapots made from duan clay and green clay are ideal for brewing green teas like Biluochun and Longjing but should not be used for dark teas or aged Pu'er, as this can cause the pot to discolor. Small teapots made from original green clay, such as the West Beauty style, with their light yellow hue, are dedicated to brewing aged Pu'er, especially those with a lotus fragrance, to bring out their true essence and flavor.
4. Large Teapots
Large teapots (over 400cc) are suitable for brewing dark teas, and those with taller bodies are even better. Purple clay and duan clay have relatively loose textures, which help absorb the less desirable storage flavors of dark teas. The tall body aids in the brewing process, improving the taste of the tea through its exchange effects. However, ripe Pu'er with its deep infusion color may cause duan clay teapots to darken; it is recommended to test the teapot before continuous use.
5. Small Teapots
Small teapots (under 200cc) are more suitable for brewing green teas or semi-fermented teas (such as Tieguanyin and Phoenix Dancong), as these types of teas should not be steeped for too long and require quick brewing.
Yixing black tea is quite special, as it generally produces a good patina on the teapot. The color of the tea liquor is not too dark, and the tea leaves contain a relatively high amount of aromatic oils.
Only the right tea can fully utilize the potential of a purple clay teapot. May you find your ideal purple clay teapot!