The Water Boiling Method for Opening a purple Clay Pot (Recommended)
The water boiling method is used for purple clay pots with a strong earthy smell. The steps are relatively complex, but the results are excellent. Generally, good purple clay pots will be opened using this method.
1. Warm-Up: Boil the Pot in Water
First, thoroughly clean the purple clay pot to remove any dirt (including leftover sand and powder). Rinse it inside and out with boiling water, then use a clean towel dipped in water to wipe it down carefully. Allow the pot to dry naturally. Then, place the tea pot into a pot without oil stains, add water three times the height of the pot (enough to cover the pot by about an inch), and boil for two hours. This will remove the pot's earthy smell and fire taste.
2. Cool Down: Boil the Pot with Tofu
After removing the pot, let it cool down to room temperature along with the tea accessories. Place tofu inside the pot (it is recommended to use old tofu because it has strong absorption properties). When filling the pot, press slightly to prevent the tofu from escaping when the water boils. After filling, place the pot in cold water and heat until boiling. Boil for about one hour until the kitchen fills with the aroma of tofu, then wait for another 5-10 minutes.
The gypsum in tofu has cooling properties, which helps to reduce the pot's fire taste (some believe that due to firing, the pot has a significant “fire taste” that should be reduced before regular use) and decomposes any remaining substances.
3. Nourish: Boil the Pot with Sugarcane
Remove the pot after boiling with tofu, rinse it with water, and let it cool down to room temperature. Cut sugarcane into pieces and place them in the pot (if sugarcane is unavailable, some sugar can be added instead), then boil for one hour until the air is filled with the scent of sugarcane for 5-10 minutes. The natural sugars in the sugarcane will nourish the tea pot like never before.
4. Rebirth: Set the Flavor with Tea
Determine what type of tea you will Brew in this pot. One pot should only be used for one type of tea (the reason will be explained below). Place the chosen tea leaves and the pot back into a pot of cold water and boil again. Once the kitchen is filled with the aroma of the tea, wait for about 10 minutes, then remove the pot. Use the tea leaves in the pot to rub the body and lid of the pot gently for several minutes. Finally, wash the pot with warm water.
This step sets the flavor for the type of tea the pot will brew in the future. The pot transforms from being a lifeless object, absorbing the essence of the tea, and the first brew will leave a lingering fragrance on the palate.
The Water Pouring Method for Opening a Purple Clay Pot
1. Clean Stains: Clean the inside and outside of the pot and its accessories thoroughly, then pour hot water over it, which can serve as mold removal, disinfection, and warming the pot all at once.
2. Start brewing Tea: While the water is hot, the fine pores of the tea pot will slightly expand, and steam will appear on the surface of the pot. At this point, use a clean, thin cotton cloth to wipe the entire pot during the first few infusions or use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in toothpaste to thoroughly scrub the inside and outside of the pot several times. Rinse off the foam with hot water to remove the earthy taste and wax. This method can utilize the temperature of the hot water to make the pot's appearance more lustrous.
3. Repeat Brewing: The first few brews should be discarded and not consumed. After several brews, most of the pot's fire taste will have been removed (although not as thoroughly as with the first method). The next step is daily maintenance!
The advantage of the pouring method is that it is simple and convenient, allowing operation on the tea table without the need for special equipment. However, the effect is not as thorough as the boiling method. If you do not have enough patience, time, and control, do not easily choose the first method; instead, opt for the pouring method.
However, for very valuable purple clay pots, extra care should be taken during the opening process, and it is recommended to choose the first boiling method.
Explanation: One Pot for One Type of Tea
The saying “one pot should not brew two types of tea” means that one pot should only be used for one type of tea. Because purple clay pots have a unique double-pore structure, they are good at absorbing tea liquor. Therefore, a well-used purple clay pot can produce a faint tea flavor even without adding tea leaves, just by using boiling water. Thus, a Purple Clay Teapot used exclusively for one type of tea will maintain the freshness and purity of the original flavor. Otherwise, if brewing Longjing today and Pu'er tomorrow, the flavors would become mixed.