A teapot enthusiast asked: My zisha teapot dries almost instantly after Pouring water on it, does this mean the clay is of high quality?
Many people enjoy pouring boiling water over their Teapots while brewing tea to judge the quality of the clay by how quickly the surface absorbs water. They believe that chemically treated teapots have a smooth, wax-like surface that doesn't absorb water, whereas teapots made from original, pure clay can rapidly absorb moisture due to the superiority of the clay. Today, let's discuss what the “water absorption” of zisha teapots is all about.
Do Zisha Teapots Really Have “Water Absorption”?
In fact, the speed at which a zisha teapot absorbs water is related to the crystallization degree of its firing, the shape of the teapot, and the fineness of the zisha clay, among other factors. Generally, new teapots are more absorbent than those that have been used. A zisha teapot cannot absorb as much water as you pour on it; this is fundamentally a flawed theory. For a qualified zisha teapot, we control the level of its “water absorption” within a very small range, typically around 1.5% to 2%.
Why Do People Think Zisha Teapots Have “Water Absorption”?
The so-called “absorbing” or “retaining” water is actually due to the dual-pore permeability of zisha clay. When a pot of water is poured over the teapot, it slowly gets “absorbed.” This is usually observed when hot water fills the teapot before pouring water over it, allowing some heat to escape through the pores. As a result, the water on the teapot evaporates quickly.
What Factors Influence the Water Absorption of Zisha Teapots?
First: The temperature of the water and the surface area of the teapot. Higher temperatures and larger surface areas lead to faster evaporation.
Second: Some zisha teapots are waxed for a smoother, rounder feel, which affects their water-absorbing ability.
Third: In terms of craftsmanship, the number of times a tool is used to smooth the surface of the teapot influences its water retention. A single pass differs significantly from multiple passes.
Fourth: The type of clay also plays a role. Clays with higher fineness (higher mesh size indicates finer grain) tend to produce denser teapot bodies. For example, zini clay contracts significantly during firing, resulting in a highly vitrified surface that is not very absorbent.
Fifth: The shape of the teapot matters. Teapots like the Beauty of West Lake and Dragon Egg, with smooth surfaces, rarely retain water, so they dry quickly. Conversely, teapots like the Antique, Flat Lotus, and Hollow Flattened, with more gradual curves, may retain water longer on their lids and sides, drying more slowly.
Sixth: The length of time a teapot has been in use. Initially, a zisha teapot retains water well, but over time, it becomes less absorbent. This is because prolonged use results in a patina, making the surface smoother and less likely to retain water.
In summary, whether water dries quickly on a zisha teapot has no direct correlation with the quality of the clay. Many variables contribute to this phenomenon, so the speed of water absorption cannot be used as a measure of the clay's quality. Pursuing high water absorption blindly could lead to missing out on excellent clays and falling into unnecessary traps.
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