Liking Tea often means buying a purple clay teapot.
I remember when Xiao Yue bought her first purple clay teapot, she cherished it so much that she opened it carefully and even bought a special water bath cooker just for its inauguration. She slowly boiled water in it for hours, taking great care of it, all the while thinking to herself: It's you from now on!
However, who would have thought that soon after, I found a new favorite.
Using a purple clay teapot does indeed require some attention to detail, such as the method of cleaning it. One cannot blindly be “diligent” but must know the right approach to maintain the teapot properly.
When cleaning your purple clay teapot, first observe if there is any oil, wax, or other dirt on the surface. If so, it needs to be cleaned promptly.
Purple clay has the advantage of good breathability, and if oil stains adhere to it, the pores will become clogged. Moreover, neglecting to clean your teapot can lead to the accumulation of tea scale inside and oily dirt on the surface over time. This not only affects its appearance but also creates unsanitary conditions that can impact our health. Furthermore, the longer these issues persist, the harder they are to clean.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Purple Clay Teapot?
1. Avoid Oil Stains
If oil stains occur, they should be cleaned immediately. Otherwise, the oil can easily seep into the purple clay and leave an oily mark on the clay body, which is detrimental to the teapot's breathability and water absorption. Additionally, oil stains on the surface affect its appearance.
2. Pay Attention to Cleaning Before Use
Before each use, ensure the teapot is clean. This highlights the advantages of a purple clay teapot and keeps it hygienic.
3. Like a Beauty, Purple Clay Needs Moisturizing Too
The moisturizing of a purple clay teapot doesn't involve face masks but rather regular brewing of tea. Regularly brewing tea allows the tea water to seep into the clay, and over time, the surface will develop a lustrous sheen like jade.
4. Appropriate Scrubbing and Wiping
After using the teapot for some time, tea scale may accumulate inside.
Generally, we use a soft-bristled brush dipped in warm water to gently scrub, then rinse with warm water, followed by drying with a clean cloth. However, cleaning should be moderate, as excessive scrubbing may damage the teapot.
5. Clean and Dry After Each Use
After using the purple clay teapot to Brew tea, clean out the tea leaves promptly.
Leaving them too long makes cleaning difficult and may cause unpleasant odors. Therefore, it's important to clean and dry the teapot after use.
6. Allow Some Time Between Uses
After using the teapot for brewing tea, it's best to let it rest for a few days before using it again. This practice is beneficial for the teapot's breathability and water absorption capabilities.
After drinking tea, pay attention to the following points regarding the purple clay teapot:
1. The teapot must remain dry after use; do not allow moisture to accumulate.
2. Store it in a well-ventilated area, not in a damp place, and avoid wrapping or sealing it after use.
3. Place the lid slightly off-center after use, rather than keeping it tightly sealed.
4. Do not keep water in the teapot continuously; only fill it when you are ready to brew tea.
5. Keep it away from oily or dusty areas.
6. Have several good purple clay Teapots and use a specific one for each type of tea.
7. Label different teapots to avoid confusion.
8. Never wash the purple clay teapot with dish soap or any chemical agents.
That's about it for today's tips on cleaning and maintaining your purple clay teapot, shared by Xiao Yue. May everyone enjoy their tea and nurture their teapots to a lustrous finish.
Images: ChaWoo Network