“Nothing is better for brewing than purple clay, and among these, the most exquisite Teapots come from Yangxin (Yixing).” As the ideal utensil for brewing Tea, a purple clay Teapot needs the company of tea to reveal its gentle elegance.
We know that tea brewed in a purple clay pot has a wonderful aroma, and the longer it is used, the more fragrant it becomes. This is because the purple clay has good breathability, preventing the tea water from spoiling. Some people like to leave tea in the pot for long periods, which they call nurturing the pot. The tea brewed in such a nurtured pot is even sweeter, due to the accumulation of tea stains on the pot's walls.
▲ Persimmon Pot
Before using a newly purchased pot, you can first soak some tea leaves in hot water. Soaking multiple times is even better, then clean both inside and out to thoroughly remove any residual sand particles. (The method mentioned above can help eliminate any odd smells that may be produced).
Why should tea stains not be left behind?
1 Some say that the tea stains on a purple clay pot can nurture the pot and do not need to be cleaned. One of the main reasons why purple clay pots are suitable for brewing tea is their special molecular structure (fine pores), which allows for good breathability. Over time, as the pores become filled with tea stains, they will inevitably adhere to the inner wall of the teaware, creating hygiene issues.
The accumulation of tea stains also affects the breathability of the purple clay pot. Therefore, from this perspective, purple clay pots should be cleaned regularly. The thicker the tea stains, the harder they are to clean, so daily Cleaning and regular cleaning are equally important.
▲ Rongtian Pot
2 Modern scientific research has confirmed that tea stains are formed by the oxidation reaction between tannins in the tea and metal substances in the tea rust in the air. These include various metals such as cadmium, lead, iron, arsenic, mercury, and nitrite salts, which are harmful to the body and can adhere to the inside and outside of the purple clay pot. Therefore, we cannot allow tea stains to accumulate in the purple clay pot just for the sake of a fragrant tea; we must clean the pot after drinking tea.
Method for cleaning tea stains from a purple clay teapot:
Take one spoonful of edible baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and put it into the pot. Pour in boiling water at 100 degrees Celsius, filling the pot completely, then cover it and wait for about ten minutes. Gently brush the inside of the pot with a soft bristle brush, and you will see the tea stains turn into yellow water flowing out. After cleaning, the pot will shine like new. When using this method, make sure not to clean the outside of the pot, only clean the inside.
▲ Golden Bell Pot
Do not be too hasty, and never use polishing cloths with fine diamond particles or similar materials to wipe, as this can easily damage the surface and leave scratches, thus destroying the texture of the purple clay. A better method is to use coarse cotton cloth to wipe. When cleaning, use a nylon brush, but do not apply too much force to avoid accidentally damaging the teapot.
When drinking tea regularly, you can wipe with a clean towel, without leaving tea soup on the surface of the pot. Otherwise, over time, the surface of the pot will accumulate tea stains. After wiping, there may be a floating sheen, which collectors generally dislike.