An object, originally just an object,
but after being nourished by its owner for a long time,
it can better blend with the owner's temperament,
and thus gains a spirit.
A Yixing clay Teapot is such an object.
As a popular brewing tool across the country, the goodness of a Yixing clay teapot can be summed up in six words:
Easy to start with, and easy to maintain.
01
Easy to start with
Even newcomers to the tea world can use it to Brew tea that achieves a wonderful aroma, flavor, and appearance.
02
Easy to maintain
This is shown by the noticeable changes over daily use as it matures and becomes increasingly “new”.
But do you really know how to “use” it?
Before we talk about using it, let's first discuss Yixing clay.
The common types of Yixing clay on the market can be roughly divided into: purple clay, red clay, and duan clay (segmented clay).
Although Yixing clay has two contradictory properties—thermal insulation and breathability—the breathability of different types of Yixing clay actually varies. Duan clay has the best breathability, followed by purple clay, and lastly red clay.
Because of its unique “double-pore structure”,
many enthusiasts have begun to be particular about using their teapots.
The saying “one teapot for one type of tea” is commonly heard.
Newcomers to the hobby often take this as gospel.
Since there are differences among the six major categories of tea,
if the characteristics of each type of tea
are matched with the corresponding type of Yixing clay,
the strengths of both can be maximally played out.
So, what kind of clay goes with what kind of tea?
“Purple Clay” Black tea, dark tea, ripe Pu'er
Purple clay is light and porous, with large pores, making it highly breathable. This allows for better interaction between the air outside and the tea inside, making it very suitable for tea. It has a somewhat moderate nature.
“Red Clay” Black tea, Oolong tea
Red clay is dense, with slightly less breathability (but not completely impermeable), and absorbs fewer flavors. Its finished product is very similar to porcelain and is particularly good at enhancing the aroma of tea.
“Duan Clay” Green tea, white tea, raw Pu'er
Duan clay has the loosest structure and largest pores among Yixing clays, making it the most breathable. It is suitable for brewing teas that are less fermented, producing a smooth and mild Infusion. It doesn't require high brewing skills, making it more suitable for beginners.
If there are any copyright issues, please contact us to remove them.