Kettle

Slowly brew the years and gently cook the tea, enjoying half a day of casual family chat. In winter, sitting around a kettle, pouring your heart out in conversation, listening to the boiling water, and savoring the joy of cooking tea is an extremely poetic affair. Tea drinking methods are generally divided into two: cooking tea and brewing tea. Brewing offers rich flavors, pleasant broth colors, and allows one to experience the changing taste with each infusion, while cooking provides a stable flavor. Differences Between Cooking and Brewing Tea 01 Difference in Amount of Tea Used For brewing, about 3-6 grams of tea is usually sufficient; for aged dark teas or oolongs [aged Tieguanyin or aged Yancha], more can be used, approximately 7-10 grams. When cooking tea, the amount of tea should be reduced to about one-third of the usual brewing quantity. It's best not to use too much tea to achieve the optimal flavor. The specific ratio can be adjusted gradually based on the type of tea and the amount of water. The principle is to use less rather than more tea, as using too much can affect the taste. 02 Difference in Suitable Types of Tea Gaiwans are…

Chaozhou Gongfu tea, the word "gongfu" being key, not only emphasizes the technique of brewing but also pays great attention to the craftsmanship of teaware. For the people of Chaozhou, drinking tea means using the four treasures of Gongfu tea: Zhuni teapot, Ruoshen cup, Hongni stove, and Shaqiao kettle, among which the Zhuni teapot is the jewel in the crown. Roundness is Not Uniform The Artistic Charm That Hits Just Right Chaozhou Zhuni teapots, commonly known as "chongguan," are made from Zhuni clay, which is soft and free of sand, making it highly malleable. The craft involves "hand-pulled forming," an ancient method using a potter's wheel. This process requires nearly 60 steps, including pulling, trimming, scraping, water application, glazing, and firing, all of which are intricate and meticulous. The shaping of Zhuni teapots relies on the ingenious rotation of the potter's wheel. In the course of inheriting teapot culture, potters infuse their creative ideas, unique designs, and exquisite skills into the teapots, endowing them with more cultural characteristics in terms of shape and decoration. They break free from the limitations of geometric roundness, displaying rich variations in curved forms that resemble fruits, bamboo sections, and wheels, creating a world of…

Black tea is a common type of tea in daily life, being a fully fermented tea. It has a dark brown and lustrous appearance with a rich, sweet fragrance, hence the name black tea. We recommend brewing black tea using a white porcelain gaiwan with water at 90 degrees Celsius, suitable for most types of black tea. Below, ChaYou Network introduces the brewing method. Steps for Brewing Black Tea 01 - Choice of Teaware White porcelain gaiwans can brew out the fresh and elegant flavor of black tea without overpowering its aroma. The white porcelain beautifully complements the red hue of the tea, making it easy to observe the color of the tea. It's simply beautiful. 02 - Tea-to-Water Ratio When brewing tea, it's important to get the right ratio of tea to water. Many tea enthusiasts rely on experience. Using too much tea is the main reason for overly bitter or astringent tea. When using a gaiwan to brew black tea, the amount of tea should be around 4 grams. If too little tea is used, even with less water, it will not fully bring out the fragrant and mellow flavor of the black tea. If you prefer a…

Since its inception during the Ming Dynasty and flourishing in the Qing Dynasty, the Zisha teapot has developed for hundreds of years, with countless shapes. The most classic teapots are not only appreciated for their beautiful designs but also for their unique cultural connotations that resonate with many enthusiasts. Among them, there are ten classic Zisha teapot shapes, each with its own story or symbolism, conveying profound and enduring truths that elucidate the philosophy of life. 【Stone Spout】— Temperance The Stone Spout is a traditional classic style of Zisha teapot, elegant and upright. It is said that the original name was Stone Kettle, but during the Republic of China period, Mr. Jingzhou suggested the meaning "Of all the water in the world, I will drink but one cup," renaming it the Stone Spout Teapot, which has been used ever since. The Stone Spout tells us to be content with what we have and not to be overly greedy. Material desires are never fully satisfied, "With a thousand acres of fertile land, one can eat no more than three bowls per meal. With ten thousand rooms, one can sleep in no more than one bed." Excessive possessions burden us. 【Imitation Ancient】—…

The Ming Dynasty was a period of innovation in tea processing and the creation of loose leaf teas, setting new trends for tea drinking. In the 24th year of Hongwu reign under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1391), the production of compressed tea bricks was abolished, promoting the development of loose leaf teas. Many famous teas emerged as the method of brewing changed from whisking to steeping. The process of tea preparation became simpler, and fewer tea wares were needed. 1. Simplification and Reduction of Tea Wares The older tea cakes of the Tang Dynasty required the "boiled tea method." The finely processed dragon and phoenix compressed teas of the Song Dynasty necessitated the "whisked tea method." Both the "boiled tea method" and the "whisked tea method" involved complex procedures and a multitude of tea wares. The brewing of loose leaf teas in the Ming Dynasty was much simpler: a small amount of tea would be placed in a cup (or pot), and hot water poured over it, ready to drink. This method was also known as the "pinch tea method" during the Song Dynasty. At this point, only a kettle for boiling water and a cup (or pot) for brewing were…

As the birthplace of tea culture, in recent years, the revival of tea culture in China has extended to the world of collecting, leading to an increasing public recognition of Yixing clay teapots and tea leaves. Particularly, Yixing teapots have shown a strong upward trend at auctions. Worthy of note is that in this wave of collecting enthusiasm, vintage Japanese iron kettles have become sought-after items among some collectors. The Japanese tea ceremony originates from China, and in the past two years, Japanese iron kettles have become new favorites among Chinese collectors, especially those that are over a century old, which have become increasingly rare. Auction records show that in 2009, China Guardian offered several Japanese iron kettles at its "Guardian Seasons 20th Auction" in the "Celestial Celebrations - Timeless Classics: Aged Pu'er and Tea Utensils" session. One of these was a Japanese "Shunkodo-made Treasure Ship Birthday Wishing Iron Kettle," standing 23.5 cm tall, weighing 1,705 g, and with a capacity of 1.5 L. The kettle's design conveys the message of "Inheriting the Eight Treasures, Longevity and Birthday Wishes," showcasing the high level of casting craftsmanship of the Shunkodo period. This kettle is considered one of the classic works of…

Black tea is the most consumed type of tea worldwide, known for its gentle, mellow flavor that warms from throat to stomach. However, brewing a high-quality cup of black tea can be challenging for many beginners. Many tea enthusiasts often encounter a bitter and astringent taste when brewing black tea. How can we avoid these pitfalls? Today, Chaye Dan (Tea Egg) will share some tips on how to brew a delicious cup of black tea. 1. **Choice of Teaware** A white porcelain gaiwan brings out the fresh and elegant flavors of black tea without overpowering its aroma. The translucent white porcelain complements the reddish hue of the tea, making it easy to observe the color of the liquor, which is truly a beautiful sight. 2. **Ratio of Tea to Water** When brewing tea, it's important to get the right ratio of tea to water. Many tea enthusiasts rely on experience, but using too much tea is the primary cause of overly bitter and astringent tea. When using a gaiwan to brew black tea, the recommended amount of tea is about 4 grams. If you use too little tea, even with less water, you won't fully bring out the rich flavor…

Advantages of Brewing Tea in a Glass Kettle 1. Visual Enjoyment One of the greatest advantages of brewing tea in a glass kettle is the clear view it provides of the tea leaves unfurling in the water. As the tea leaves gradually unfurl and float, it’s like watching a dance performance of the leaves. Especially for those who enjoy appraising tea, observing the changes in the shape of the leaves and the color of the tea through a transparent glass kettle is a great pleasure. (Image source: network, delete upon request) 2. Preserves Original Flavor A glass kettle does not absorb the flavor of the tea like ceramic or purple clay pots do, preserving the original taste of the tea leaves. This is a significant advantage for those who prefer pure tea aroma. The material of the glass kettle does not react chemically with the tea, ensuring a purer taste of the brewed tea. 3. Easy to Clean The smooth surface of a glass kettle makes it very easy to clean. Simply rinse with warm water and wipe clean with a soft cloth. For those who don’t like to spend too much time cleaning teaware, a glass kettle is undoubtedly…

 When purchasing a purple clay pot, enthusiasts usually fear two things the most: first, buying a fake purple clay pot, and second, buying one made with chemical additives. So how do you choose a good purple clay pot? Look at the Texture Pure purple clay pots have a restrained luster, a texture like warm jade, a stable color, and an aged appearance. With high-quality clay, you can see the effects of use within half a month. Pots made from clay with chemical additives show little change no matter how much they are used; they remain dry. Although they can create a so-called mung bean paste effect, the surface glaze (due to the addition of wood shaving water, also known as quartz water) prevents the tea water from being absorbed, and oils from handling cannot penetrate the surface. Thus, such pots will not develop a patina. Check the Water Absorption Genuine purple clay pots, except for red clay and some dun clay varieties, generally have strong water absorption properties. This is why it's often said that tea brewed in a purple clay pot tastes better than in other types of teapots. Pots made from clay with chemical additives typically lack water…

Ancient warriors all had their unique weapons that, when revealed, made it clear who they were and how powerful. Today, while we no longer live in a world of sword fights and storms, having a unique tool can still give you an edge in modern life. A photography app can instantly enhance your beauty; a kitchen gadget makes chopping and mixing easy... And tea drinking is no different. To enjoy a cup of excellent tea, one tool – the kettle – becomes our tea-brewing magic, helping us bring out the best in the tea leaves and providing a unique experience. Additionally, the pursuit of different types of kettles has gradually evolved into a kettle culture, adding more joy to our tea lives. However, with so many types of tea kettles available on the market and differing preferences, let's explore how these magical kettles can become our brewing tools. To enjoy a cup of excellent tea, one tool – the kettle – becomes our tea-brewing magic, helping us bring out the best in the tea leaves and providing a unique experience. Additionally, the pursuit of different types of kettles has gradually evolved into a kettle culture, adding more joy to our…