Tofu

The topic of how to properly prepare a new purple clay teapot for use has been discussed extensively. However, many newcomers to the world of purple clay teapots still fall into common traps. Here are some incorrect methods that you should avoid: Mistake One: Tofu Preparation Method "Boiling tofu can remove the 'fiery' quality of a new purple clay teapot, absorb earthy odors and kiln dust, and break down any residual substances in the teapot." ▲ Preparing a teapot with tofu Firstly, there is no such thing as a teapot having a 'fiery' quality. This term is used in traditional Chinese medicine to describe human conditions. Secondly, the claim about absorbing odors is baseless. If this were true, we would place tofu instead of tea leaves or charcoal sachets in new homes and cars. Furthermore, after being fired at over 1,000 degrees Celsius, it's unclear what residual substances could be broken down by boiling tofu. Mistake Two: Sugarcane Preparation Method "Sugarcane, with its natural sweetness and fragrance, can imbue the teapot with an unprecedented level of nourishment, laying a solid foundation for future brewing." ▲ Preparing a teapot with sugarcane The idea behind using sugarcane (or apples) for preparation is…

After acquiring a new purple clay teapot, should you prepare it for use? The answer is yes. No matter the value of the purple clay teapot, before its first use, preparation is necessary. Preparing the teapot helps to remove the earthy and kiln odors and effectively opens up the pores, allowing the teapot to develop a more perfect patina after use. However, the methods for preparing a teapot that circulate in the community are varied. Some say you should boil it in water, others suggest steaming it over water, and there are even those who recommend boiling it with apples, tofu, or sugarcane... This can be confusing. Many teapot enthusiasts ask whether they should boil their teapots. Here, we do not recommend boiling your teapot, as it is unnecessary and may even damage the teapot. Why should you not boil the teapot? 1. Easy to Contaminate with Grease Even if the pot is frequently cleaned, there will inevitably be grease and impurities left behind. Placing the purple clay teapot in the pot to boil may contaminate it with grease, affecting the formation of the surface luster. 2. Risk of Cracking from Impact When boiling the teapot, it must be placed…

Freshly made Pu'er spring tea contains high levels of polyphenols, aldehydes, and alcohols. These substances can strongly stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa, making it easy for those with poor gastrointestinal function to experience symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, abdominal pain, and constipation after drinking it. Additionally, individuals who seldom drink tea may experience symptoms of "tea drunkenness," such as dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, sweating, and frequent urination, after consuming fresh tea. Therefore, freshly made tea needs to be stored for some time, allowing these substances to partially dissipate or oxidize, reducing the activity of caffeine, alkaloids, or aromatic compounds. This not only achieves the effects of "green color, clear broth, high fragrance, and rich flavor" but also makes the tea safer and healthier to consume. Why Should Freshly Made Pu'er Spring Tea Be Stored for a While Before It Becomes Enjoyable? From picking to becoming a finished product, Pu'er spring tea goes through more than ten tea-making processes. If the tea is not compressed into shape, then several steps are skipped; however, if it is shaped into cakes, tuos, or bricks, it must undergo steaming to soften it before being pressed into shape. Taking common Pu'er cake tea as an…

"After the crude embryo is fire-hardened, each one reveals its remarkable qualities. They seem to have mud for bones, yet when struck they sound like gold and jade." Recalling Dongpo of old, a good teapot, a few good friends, sitting and discussing the Dao, writing with brushes, the refined lifestyle of scholars was vividly portrayed. Nowadays, people living in a materialistic society need this kind of return to a higher realm, and perhaps this return starts with a cup of tea and a teapot... Among the various teapots used for brewing tea, purple clay teapots stand out due to their unique material, becoming a favorite tool among tea enthusiasts. Purple clay teapots enhance the flavor, color, aroma, and taste of tea, avoiding the taste of boiled water, allowing tasters to enjoy the perfect experience through taste, smell, and sight. How much do you know about purple clay teapots? How can you get started and choose your first purple clay teapot that suits you? Lovers of teapots should carefully read the following content~ 01 Understand Before Purchasing For those just starting with purple clay teapots, it's essential to learn about them before making a purchase and to study how to care…

Let's start with a chart of the Longjing family relationships. The head of the family is Hang Jiahe, who has a daughter named Hang Pan with his former wife Fang Xiling. In the previous article, we mentioned the love at first sight between Hang Pan and Nationalist pilot Cao Jiayuan. Hang Pan is in charge of overseeing hundreds of acres of tea garden, including the famous Lion Peak Hu Gong Temple area. By "overseeing," it mainly means managing the garden rather than preventing others from stealing tea leaves. During the month or so when Longjing tea is picked and processed, there are many people bustling about on the mountain, making it difficult to steal tea. If it's not the picking and processing season, stealing tea would be pointless because the resulting tea would taste terrible and couldn't even be sold as vegetables. Hang Pan's oversight is essentially garden management. The People's Liberation Army took over ten days to capture Hangzhou, officially announcing its liberation on May 3, 1949. The first third of "Looking South of the River" describes the winter and spring before the liberation of Hangzhou. In her diary, Hang Pan wrote: "The fighting has started again, and everywhere…

Is it necessary to inaugurate a new purple clay teapot? A newly made purple clay teapot lacks luster. Inauguration is not mandatory, but it can help remove unwanted odors and clear any residual heat and dryness, so it is recommended. For good black tea, Pu'er tea, aged white tea, and oolong tea, one should pair them with a fine Yixing purple clay teapot, which enhances the ambiance and experience of tea drinking. Many newcomers to the world of teapots are often misled by various inauguration methods found online. In fact, a new purple clay teapot can be used directly after being cleaned with water; there is no need for a complicated inauguration process. Firstly, the master believes that whether inaugurating or nurturing the teapot, one should follow nature and use simple yet effective methods. There are two inauguration methods commonly found online: one involves using tofu placed inside the teapot and then simmered in a pot, while the other replaces tofu with sugarcane, both cooked in a similar manner. Neither method is advisable, in the master's opinion. How to properly inaugurate a teapot? The main purpose of inauguration is to address the residual earthy taste and kiln dust within the…