Seasoning

We often talk about the unique characteristics of purple clay teapots, such as their ability to retain fragrance when brewing tea and lack of cooked soup aroma. While the claim that they remain fresh even in summer might be an exaggeration, purple clay teapots do indeed have a distinctive “porosity” not found in other types of teaware. ▲ Brewing tea with a purple clay pot The porosity of purple clay teapots comes from their unique “double-pore structure,” which refers to the sand particles and their agglomerate structure within the clay material itself. ▲ Cross-section particles Purple clay materials used for making teapots vary in coarseness, indicated by different mesh sizes, leading many to wonder if the porosity of a purple clay teapot is related to its mesh size. Mesh Size The mesh size refers to the size of the purple clay particles. When we grind and sieve purple clay ore, we use a screen to determine the mesh size, with common sizes being 24, 32, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mesh. The smaller the mesh size, the coarser the clay particles; conversely, the larger the mesh size, the finer the clay particles. ▲ Cross-section particles The mesh size also affects…

"Burning incense, preparing tea, hanging paintings, arranging flowers— these four leisurely pursuits should not burden one's home." —Wu Zimu, Dream of the Liang Dynasty Readers who have watched the TV series Dreamy Song Dynasty will surely remember the scene where the main character Zhao Pan'er prepares tea with skillful and graceful movements, a sight that is pleasing to the eye. Tea became popular in the Tang Dynasty but flourished in the Song Dynasty. The custom of drinking tea was widespread in Song society, enjoyed by everyone from nobles and literati to merchants, gentry, and common folk, all of whom found pleasure in it, leading to the emergence of various tea-related activities. The method of drinking tea in the Song Dynasty differed from today's practice of steeping tea leaves in boiling water. In the Song Dynasty, tea was made from compressed cakes, which were ground into a fine powder before being mixed with boiling water. This process, known as "crushing the tea into powder, pouring hot water over it, and using a whisk to froth it," is referred to as "pointing tea." Song Dynasty people poured their hearts, filled with mountains and rivers, into their paintings and also into their tea.…

With the arrival of Winter Solstice, the north is already blanketed in snow, while southerners are starting to exhale white mist. In the cold winter, people favor warmth, which has given rise to a new social media trend in 2022: "cozy tea brewing around a brazier." The most essential element for cozy tea brewing is a small brazier, best made of pottery, accompanied by some smokeless charcoal, bringing warmth in the winter. Place a wire mesh over the brazier, set a pot of tea in the middle, and surround it with tangerines, sweet potatoes, grains, and a plate of pastries, completing the new-Chinese style cozy tea brewing. Teahouses provide a venue for socializing and venting. /Visual China When brewing tea around a brazier in winter, the gentle bubbling sound of the hot tea on the stove and the steam mixed with the sweetness of roasted fruits easily evoke images of ancient literati's elegant life: "the freshly baked tea leaves warm the shallow cup, and the tea is ground in a small mill on a sunny window." A mouthful of hot tea warms the whole body, filling one with happiness. During leisure time, inviting family and friends to experience this rustic…

Tea is not merely a beverage, but also a way of life and a sanctuary for the soul. When we lift a cup of fragrant tea to our lips and savor it gently, we are not only tasting the flavor of the tea, but also feeling the warmth of life and understanding the wisdom of existence. Drinking tea is an appreciation of its beauty and an artistic expression of life. It is a medium of etiquette that elevates life through tea and a lifestyle that cultivates the self through tea. To each person, tea holds different meanings. From the daily necessities of firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, representing the ordinary and practical aspects of life, to the poetic symbols of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea, there is a depth of meaning. In times of thirst and heat, tea is a timely balm, refreshing body and soul. And when we slow down, taking time to enjoy tea in a leisurely manner, feeling the tranquility around us, that is the essence of life. It's important to know that the life you yearn for can be found in tea. A simple life is made pure by…

The purple clay teapot, with its unique clay material, exquisite craftsmanship, and rich cultural heritage, is a cherished piece of tea ware among tea enthusiasts. However, before using a newly purchased purple clay teapot, it needs to go through an essential step—seasoning. Seasoning not only removes the earthy taste and impurities from the teapot but also awakens its tea-absorbing properties, allowing it to better absorb the aroma of the tea leaves and enhance the flavor of the tea. The Importance of Seasoning a Purple Clay Teapot Seasoning a purple clay teapot is more than just a simple preparation step before use; it is a cultural tradition and a sign of respect for the art of tea. Through seasoning, impurities and residual heat can be removed from the pot, making its pore structure more uniform, which helps improve the aroma and taste when brewing tea. Additionally, seasoning is a way of "awakening" the teapot, preparing it for future use. Methods of Seasoning a Purple Clay Teapot There are various methods for seasoning a purple clay teapot, but they all share a common principle: gently awakening the pot's essence. Here are some common seasoning methods: 1. Water Rinse – Rinse the newly…

Some people find wood-fired purple clay teapots stunning, while others think they lose the original beauty of purple clay. Ultimately, the choice is left to individual tea enthusiasts. In addition to wood-fired pieces, there are also reduction-fired and ash-covered purple clay teapots. Today, we will cover all three techniques in one go. Wood-Fired Purple Clay The wood-firing (naked firing) process gradually increases temperature. On the first day of firing, a low-temperature smoking process begins, allowing the carbon released from the wood to fill the pores of the clay. Once the surface of the clay turns black due to the carbon, the temperature can be further increased. This process takes approximately 30 hours. The characteristic of wood-firing is that ashes and flames directly enter the kiln. Unlike conventional glazes, the falling ashes naturally adhere to the surface of the piece and, when fired at high temperatures, form a lustrous, rich, and layered natural ash glaze; Molten or unmelted wood ash creates smooth or rough textures on the surface, along with various color changes, leaving traces of where the fire once resided. The result is natural and unadorned, unpredictable and non-repeatable. The color and texture of a wood-fired purple clay teapot depend…

Experiencing Pu'er tea requires calmness and a gradual process, involving many sensory perceptions to appreciate the evolving flavors. How can one appreciate Pu'er tea, particularly raw Pu'er? Here’s how to discern the quality of raw Pu'er tea when purchasing: Selecting Raw Pu'er Tea Look at the tea: shape, processing, color. Feel the tea: compactness, check inside and outside. Scent: dry tea, tea infusion. Observe the infusion: color, clarity, turbidity. Taste: fullness and smoothness, aftertaste and salivation. Looking at the Tea Shape: High-quality raw Pu'er tea has complete and uniform strands, with moderate buds, typically picked as one bud with two to three leaves. The leaves should be clean without impurities, yellow leaves, or too many stalks. Mature production process: The shape of the cake is uniformly balanced, neatly compacted with consistent thickness and edges. Color by age: Short-aged: dark green; Long-aged: brownish red. Feeling the Tea Compactness: A loose body means faster aging under equal storage conditions, while a compact body ages more slowly. Check inside and outside: Some teas have higher-grade leaves on the surface for better appearance, but a consistent blend means the entire compressed tea is of uniform quality, not just attractive on the outside. Scenting the…