A newly fired Purple Clay Teapot lacks luster and appears dull; it cannot be used directly for brewing tea. Therefore, before starting to use and maintain a new purple clay Teapot, a series of processes must be carried out, which experts call “opening the purple clay teapot.” Opening a purple clay teapot is a ritual bestowed by those who love purple clay Teapots. Do not overly concern yourself with the process of opening the teapot; it simply means to start using the teapot. The primary purpose of opening a purple clay teapot is to remove impurities and the fiery smell within it, making its use more hygienic.
There are various methods for opening a purple clay teapot, but the following four steps are the most practical:
| Step One: Warm-Up |
First, rinse the newly purchased purple clay teapot inside and out with boiling water to remove surface dust. Then, place the teapot in a clean pot without any oil residue and add water three times the height of the teapot. Boil for two hours to eliminate the earthy taste and the fiery smell.
| Step Two: Cooling Down |
Place tofu into the teapot and add water one time the height of the teapot, then boil for one hour. The gypsum in tofu has a cooling effect and can decompose any residual substances in the teapot.
| Step Three: Moisturizing |
Cut up the Sugar cane you bought and place it in the pot, then boil for one hour. The natural sugars in the sugar cane give the teapot an unprecedented level of moisturization.
| Step Four: Rebirth |
Finally, choose your favorite teas, place them in the teapot, and boil for one hour. After this, the teapot is no longer a lifeless object; transformed, it absorbs the essence of the tea, and the first brew will leave a lingering fragrance in the mouth of the tea drinker.