After being away on a business trip for a week, I wanted to enjoy a nice afternoon Tea. However, upon opening the pot, I found that it had molded inside. What could have caused this? After brewing tea last time, I had something urgent to attend to and neglected to clean the pot. The tea leaves were left soaking in the water for several days, especially during hot summer weather when mold grows quickly. Left like this for an extended period, it's very likely to mold.
In ancient times, ordinary households were reluctant to waste tea and often drank leftover tea from the previous day. In “Records of Superfluous Things,” Wen Zhenheng wrote: “For Teapots, those made of sand are best, as they do not overpower the aroma and lack the sour smell of stale tea.” This “sour smell of stale tea” refers to the sour odor of tea broth. The fact that a Purple Clay Teapot doesn't produce a sour smell when used for brewing tea indicates its excellent breathability. Due to the uniqueness of the clay material and the way it is shaped, the double-pore characteristic is very evident; however, it cannot withstand being left sealed for extended periods, which can also lead to mold growth.
High humidity in the air makes it easy for purple clay teapots to mold. Purple clay teapots need to be stored in a dry and well-ventilated environment to maintain dryness inside. Even when stored in a brocade box, if the teapot is not thoroughly dried, the enclosed space will accelerate mold growth, making this approach unadvisable.
After brewing tea, immediately clean the purple clay teapot, remove the tea residue, wipe the exterior clean with a tea towel, invert the pot on the tea tray to naturally air dry, and after completely drying, place it on a shelf such as a scholar's stand where it will be more ventilated. When you want to Brew tea next time, simply rinse the inside and outside of the pot with hot water to warm it up before using.
If the teapot acquires a moldy smell, clean it thoroughly with water, then pour in some hot water, shake it around a few times, and then shake it with cold water. Repeat this process to eliminate the moldy smell. This method is suitable for purple clay and duan clay teapots, except for zhuni clay pots.
This is because zhuni clay has high density and cannot withstand sudden temperature changes. If a zhuni teapot molds, recondition it by placing it in a clean pot filled with water, submerging the pot entirely, and simmering it over low heat. You can add a bit of tea to help remove any odors. After boiling, allow it to cool naturally, then clean the pot thoroughly.