While brewing Tea with a purple clay pot is great, it can lead to the accumulation of tea scale. During the process of nurturing the pot, frequent brewing inevitably leaves tea residue inside the pot.
Many enthusiasts believe that the tea scale is an accumulated essence over time, and with this layer of tea scale, even Pouring boiling water into the purple clay pot will result in a faint tea fragrance when poured out.
However, the truth is that not Cleaning the tea scale can easily lead to bacterial growth, which is detrimental to health. So, how can you clean the pot without removing the patina? Below are instructions on how to clean the tea scale inside a purple clay pot without damaging the patina.
Step 1
Place one spoonful of edible baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) into the pot, pour in boiling water (100°C) (remember to warm the pot first), fill the pot to the brim, and then cover it with the lid.
Step 2
After waiting for about two or three minutes, gently scrub the inside of the pot with a pot-nurturing cloth or a soft-bristled brush. You will see the tea scale turn into yellow water flowing out, leaving the cleaned pot shiny and new. If the first scrubbing doesn't thoroughly clean it, you can repeat the process, but be sure to use a soft brush or pot-nurturing cloth to avoid damaging the pot.
Note: To prevent damage to the patina, when soaking the pot, only fill it with alkaline water as if you were brewing tea. Do not soak the entire pot in a container full of alkaline water, as this could affect the patina on the exterior of the pot.
Three Steps for Correctly Preparing Your Pot:
First: Rinse the inside and outside of the pot with warm water until it's clean;
Second: Warm the purple clay pot with water at around 60°C;
Third: Place an appropriate amount of the tea you plan to brew inside the pot, pour in boiling water, and repeatedly steep for half an hour to an hour.
After each nurturing session, always remember to wipe the outer surface of the purple clay pot clean, otherwise, uneven colors may appear. Some people do wipe it after each use, but they don't do it promptly, which can be too late for proper maintenance of the purple clay pot.
In fact, purple clay pots also need rest. Continuous and uninterrupted brewing will keep the purple clay in a constantly damp state, preventing it from thoroughly Drying out and making it easy for bacteria to grow. Generally, after using it for a few days, let the purple clay pot rest for two to three days before using it again.
Note: Content sourced from the Purple Clay Pot Encyclopedia, provided for tea enthusiasts' reference. Information is valuable when shared. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us to remove it.