Teaware

The Beauty of Harmony Harmony with all teas. Tea lovers know that green tea should be drunk from a glass cup and oolong tea from a lidded bowl, but the purple clay pot can be used for both green tea and the currently fashionable Pu'er tea. Since people's tea drinking habits changed in the Ming dynasty, the purple clay pot has become the best vessel for drinking tea. At that time, there was only green tea. It wasn't until the mid-Qing dynasty when fermentation techniques were developed and the variety of teas increased that people discovered that the purple clay pot is suitable for all types of tea and can brew the best results. Porcelain is ranked first among tea utensils, whether it is the noble Pu'er or Dragon Well, or even the Jasmine tea of country folk, when placed in a purple clay pot, it will emit the purest aroma and flow out the truest color. Harmony with all things under heaven. Fruits, pears, peaches, human figures, and creatures leap out of the hands of the pot maker, naturally bringing different emotions and wishes to the pot. There is a pot named Wave Spike, said to have been the…

Is it necessary to inaugurate a new purple clay teapot? A newly made purple clay teapot lacks luster. Inauguration is not mandatory, but it can help remove unwanted odors and clear any residual heat and dryness, so it is recommended. For good black tea, Pu'er tea, aged white tea, and oolong tea, one should pair them with a fine Yixing purple clay teapot, which enhances the ambiance and experience of tea drinking. Many newcomers to the world of teapots are often misled by various inauguration methods found online. In fact, a new purple clay teapot can be used directly after being cleaned with water; there is no need for a complicated inauguration process. Firstly, the master believes that whether inaugurating or nurturing the teapot, one should follow nature and use simple yet effective methods. There are two inauguration methods commonly found online: one involves using tofu placed inside the teapot and then simmered in a pot, while the other replaces tofu with sugarcane, both cooked in a similar manner. Neither method is advisable, in the master's opinion. How to properly inaugurate a teapot? The main purpose of inauguration is to address the residual earthy taste and kiln dust within the…

 When purchasing a purple clay pot, enthusiasts usually fear two things the most: first, buying a fake purple clay pot, and second, buying one made with chemical additives. So how do you choose a good purple clay pot? Look at the Texture Pure purple clay pots have a restrained luster, a texture like warm jade, a stable color, and an aged appearance. With high-quality clay, you can see the effects of use within half a month. Pots made from clay with chemical additives show little change no matter how much they are used; they remain dry. Although they can create a so-called mung bean paste effect, the surface glaze (due to the addition of wood shaving water, also known as quartz water) prevents the tea water from being absorbed, and oils from handling cannot penetrate the surface. Thus, such pots will not develop a patina. Check the Water Absorption Genuine purple clay pots, except for red clay and some dun clay varieties, generally have strong water absorption properties. This is why it's often said that tea brewed in a purple clay pot tastes better than in other types of teapots. Pots made from clay with chemical additives typically lack water…

Chaozhou Gongfu tea, the word "gongfu" being key, not only emphasizes the technique of brewing but also pays great attention to the craftsmanship of teaware. For the people of Chaozhou, drinking tea means using the four treasures of Gongfu tea: Zhuni teapot, Ruoshen cup, Hongni stove, and Shaqiao kettle, among which the Zhuni teapot is the jewel in the crown. Roundness is Not Uniform The Artistic Charm That Hits Just Right Chaozhou Zhuni teapots, commonly known as "chongguan," are made from Zhuni clay, which is soft and free of sand, making it highly malleable. The craft involves "hand-pulled forming," an ancient method using a potter's wheel. This process requires nearly 60 steps, including pulling, trimming, scraping, water application, glazing, and firing, all of which are intricate and meticulous. The shaping of Zhuni teapots relies on the ingenious rotation of the potter's wheel. In the course of inheriting teapot culture, potters infuse their creative ideas, unique designs, and exquisite skills into the teapots, endowing them with more cultural characteristics in terms of shape and decoration. They break free from the limitations of geometric roundness, displaying rich variations in curved forms that resemble fruits, bamboo sections, and wheels, creating a world of…

In most people's minds, antiques are valuable and have the potential to appreciate in value. Thus, many believe that this is also the case when it comes to collecting purple clay teapots. Graphics and Text | Sandhai Mo Yun To date, the earliest known and dated purple clay teapot discovered was the "Wu Jing Tiliang" unearthed in Nanjing in 1965. Purple clay teapots from the Ming and Qing dynasties are certainly "antiques" compared to modern ones. Ming Dynasty Wu Jing Tiliang But does that mean that all Ming and Qing dynasty teapots are valuable? The answer is clearly no. Only those Ming and Qing dynasty teapots that meet certain necessary conditions can be considered valuable "antiques." Below, Xiao Yun will analyze what makes a Ming and Qing dynasty teapot valuable (necessary conditions). 01 A Genuine Ming or Qing Dynasty Teapot When considering whether a Ming or Qing dynasty teapot is valuable, the first step is to determine if it is truly an old teapot rather than a modern imitation of an old one. Faux-Aged Imitation Teapot There are now people who specifically collect old teapots, leading to a significant number of fake old teapots on the market. Some individuals even…

1. Old pots are always better than new ones. This statement is incorrect. Firstly, old pots from the Ming and Qing dynasties, if not made by famous artists, are inferior to modern purple clay works in terms of both clay quality and craftsmanship. This is because the techniques for mining, refining clay, and the tools used for making pots were not as advanced at that time. Secondly, so-called 'First Factory' or 'Cultural Revolution' era pots, which were made using gas kilns, do not have particularly distinctive clays. Many of these clays are still available today. 2. Purple clay pots are unsuitable for brewing green tea; glass cups are definitely better. This is also incorrect. One of the reasons why purple clay pots are considered the best tea utensils is their versatility. The claim that they cannot be used for green tea is based on the idea that they would oversteep the tea. However, purple clay pots made from dun clay with good breathability, wide openings, and fast pouring shapes are very suitable for brewing green tea. For those who prefer to watch the tea leaves unfurl, a glass cup can be used, but it is certainly possible to brew green…

Zhu Ni teapots are suitable for brewing Taiwanese high mountain tea, Fujian Tie Guan Yin, and other lightly fermented, aroma-rich green teas. They enhance the aroma, produce a tight and smooth tea soup, and offer a strong aftertaste with a long-lasting finish! Dicao Qing teapots have broad applicability and are suitable for Pu'er, green tea, black tea, floral tea, and more. They are mild and elegant, allowing the tea's natural fragrance to shine. Over time, the pot color changes from brown to liver-like hues. Qing Shi Ni teapots are suitable for similar types of tea as Dicao Qing. They have a strong affinity for various teas.

All things in this world are truly complementary and contradictory, "Brother Fine Tea" since meeting "Sister Purple Clay," it's like a "lover" meeting his "pretty maiden," they are destined to be together forever, loving tea doesn't necessarily mean loving purple clay, but those who love purple clay will certainly love tea. Regardless of whether you love purple clay because of your love for tea or vice versa, once you're in love, no one can unravel this triangular relationship, the love, hate, affection, and resentment are not just a matter of "fate." Playing with pots should be done with a content and happy mindset. You must know that "there are countless good pots in the world, and it's impossible to collect them all in one lifetime." Many pots existed before you were born which you never got to see, many more you couldn't get after you were born, and even more masterpieces will remain out of reach after you pass away. Why worry about temporary gains and losses? Life is short, and we can only say "once had" about worldly matters, there's no such thing as "eternal." Which of the famous pots that have survived through the ages hasn't changed hands…

A purple clay teapot is a durable tea utensil that can be used indefinitely as long as it isn't chipped or damaged. However, if not used carefully, various issues can arise, such as odors and tea stains. So, how should one clean a purple clay teapot? Let's discuss the cleaning process today. Odor and Tea Stain Cleaning If a teapot is left unused for a long time or if the tea residue isn't promptly discarded, it may develop mold or an unpleasant odor. The ancients have recorded a method for cleaning this: If the teapot has absorbed unwanted odors, fill it with boiling water, pour it out after a moment, then immediately immerse it in cold water. Quickly remove it from the cold water and pour out the water. This will restore the original aroma of the teapot. ▲ Clearing out tea residue The idea is to first fill it with boiling water, shake it gently a few times, pour it out, and then immerse it in cold water, which removes the odor. Repeat this several times. If a teapot is used frequently but not cleaned promptly afterward, another situation can occur where tea stains accumulate. If you encounter stubborn…

Since its inception during the Ming Dynasty and flourishing in the Qing Dynasty, the Zisha teapot has developed for hundreds of years, with countless shapes. The most classic teapots are not only appreciated for their beautiful designs but also for their unique cultural connotations that resonate with many enthusiasts. Among them, there are ten classic Zisha teapot shapes, each with its own story or symbolism, conveying profound and enduring truths that elucidate the philosophy of life. 【Stone Spout】— Temperance The Stone Spout is a traditional classic style of Zisha teapot, elegant and upright. It is said that the original name was Stone Kettle, but during the Republic of China period, Mr. Jingzhou suggested the meaning "Of all the water in the world, I will drink but one cup," renaming it the Stone Spout Teapot, which has been used ever since. The Stone Spout tells us to be content with what we have and not to be overly greedy. Material desires are never fully satisfied, "With a thousand acres of fertile land, one can eat no more than three bowls per meal. With ten thousand rooms, one can sleep in no more than one bed." Excessive possessions burden us. 【Imitation Ancient】—…

How to nurture a beautiful teapot? This is the most frequently discussed topic and one that every enthusiast of teapot artistry wishes to delve deeper into. Here, I am willing to share my humble insights gained over many years of nurturing teapots for the reference of fellow enthusiasts in the teapot arts. Firstly, good clay. The proudest achievement in nurturing a teapot lies in the uniqueness of the purple clay material; the secret to successful nurturing primarily depends on the quality of the purple clay. Superior clay allows you to achieve twice the result with half the effort, fully enjoying the pleasure and sense of accomplishment in nurturing the teapot; inferior clay will make your efforts futile, leaving you with a tasteless experience and nothing but regret. Therefore, carefully selecting purple clay is the first step to successfully nurturing your teapot. Secondly, thoroughly clean the teapot. If it's a new teapot, be sure to remove the vaseline applied to the surface of the teapot (this can be done by boiling or using salad detergent to clean it); if it's an old teapot, wash away any accumulated grime on the surface. Whether it’s a new or old teapot, returning it to…

When we talk about purple clay, our first impression is likely to be that most iconic object – the purple clay teapot. Elegant and refined, delicately beautiful, they seem to belong exclusively to scholars and gentlemen. Only in their hands can purple clay transcend the ordinary and emit its unique charm. The origin of purple clay is hard to trace, but it is generally believed by modern people that it gained popularity during the Ming Dynasty. Taking Yixing purple clay as a representative, over several hundred years, the production of purple clay has undergone countless transformations. In terms of shape, temperament, color, and spirit, it exudes an irresistible aura of scholarly grace. As a container, it lacks the luster of pottery and the sharpness of porcelain. It is formed using various components including red clay and purple clay, then fired, resulting in a smooth texture. Carving elegant and rustic poetry and images onto the surface of the purple clay enhances its appearance, blending form and function perfectly. High-quality purple clay teapots even appear semi-transparent when light shines through them. Moreover, tea made in vessels crafted from this material allows one to savor the original flavor of the tea without alteration.…

Purple Clay Snubbed in Japan Japan, like China, has a long history of "tea drinking," and is even renowned worldwide for its tea ceremony. Compared to the elegance and expressiveness of Chinese tea wares, Japanese tea utensils perhaps possess a more delicate and graceful Eastern charm. Recently, I met with Cui Shaosong, a porcelain collector who studied in Japan and worked in an antique shop there for five years. Listening to his detailed account, this unfamiliar craft from a foreign land became familiar and endearing. Unlike the Chinese custom of drinking tea, the Japanese often use ceramic pots glazed both inside and outside. "Lid-lifting teapots are rare; most are side-handle teapots with spouts uniformly facing left." The Japanese indifference to traditional Chinese teaware, the purple clay teapot, was something Cui Shaosong did not expect when he was back in China. During his travels, Cui Shaosong specifically noticed that Japanese museums, brimming with Chinese treasures, had never displayed a single purple clay teapot. The purple clay teapot he brought as a gift for his Japanese friends also received a polite but lukewarm reception. "Japan has its own 'purple clay,' known as 'beni' (vermilion clay), which is very bright in color, but…

    This is truly an era that breeds "cute masters," even teapots are getting in on the act! After seeing these various adorable forms of teapots, you guys have to hold it together! ▎Piano Teapot When using this "piano teapot" for brewing tea, don't get so lost in playing the piano that you neglect the aroma of the tea! Elegant teaware and European-style lamps, but what's even more captivating is this graceful piano. Accompanied by music, sipping afternoon tea, how delightful! ▎Dining Table Teapot Tasty desserts and an adorable dining table, you shouldn't actually sit down to have breakfast! This is a teapot! Does tea brewed with a dining table teapot taste even better? ▎Toilet Teapot Would you dare to drink tea brewed in a toilet? Of course, because it's a toilet-shaped teapot. This teapot is very creative, and many people wonder what the tea tastes like. ▎Balcony Teapot On the balcony in the afternoon, basking in the spring breeze, smelling the flowers, and sipping afternoon tea—how nice! With this balcony teapot, you can achieve this! Because the afternoon tea it brews is full of artistic flair. ▎Warm Bed Teapot Cute little bears, a luxurious warm bed, how comfortable. But upon…

How can you clean your teapot without damaging the patina? Today, I'll teach you a practical little trick. Cleaning Trick for Your Teapot 1. Take one spoonful of edible baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and put it into the pot. Pour in boiling water at 100 degrees Celsius, fill the pot to the brim, and then cover it with the lid. 2. Wait for about ten minutes, then gently scrub the inside of the pot with a soft-bristled brush. You will see the tea stains turn into yellow water flowing out. The cleaned pot will shine like new. If you feel it hasn't been thoroughly cleaned after the first attempt, you can soak it for a bit longer and scrub again, but be sure to use a soft brush to avoid damaging the pot. Note: To prevent damage to the patina, when soaking the pot, only fill it with the alkaline water as you would with tea. Do not submerge the entire pot in a large container filled with alkaline water. This could easily remove the oily substances on the outside of the pot, which are necessary for developing a good patina. Purple Clay Teapot Care Tips In addition to the…

Due to being part of the same Eastern cultural sphere, Japanese tea wares emphasize connotations just like those in China. This piece shares content from Chapter Five of “Tea Pleasures in Variegated Colours: The Spread of Chinese Tea and Foreign Tea Affairs,” written by Yu Yue and published by Guangming Daily Press in August 1999. Since the 13th century, the custom of drinking tea has been widespread in Japan. After Kato Saemon studied porcelain making in our country and returned home, he began to pay attention to the porcelain industry. Kato, also known as Tojirō, settled in Seto, where generations of potters have maintained the traditional production of Seto ware. In 1510, Goro-taifu came to Jingdezhen, China, to study porcelain manufacturing and returned to Japan in 1515. He brought back the techniques and materials needed for producing blue-and-white porcelain from Jingdezhen, setting up a kiln in Arita, known for its clay, marking the beginning of porcelain production in Japan. While in China, he went by the pseudonym Wu Yangrui, and the porcelain he made was also called Xiangrui. These products were limited to using Chinese techniques and materials without significant innovation but later became rare and expensive porcelain. By the…

There are many teapot enthusiasts, but not all of them know how to protect their purple clay teapots. The maintenance of a purple clay teapot is particularly important, as it serves not only as a collectible but also has practical uses. Therefore, it's crucial to take good care of your purple clay teapot. 1. Fear of Dropping Purple clay teapots are especially afraid of being dropped. For ceramic products, once broken, they cannot be restored to their original state— even if repaired using techniques like copper riveting or kintsugi, the result will only be a kind of imperfect beauty. So how can you prevent dropping? When pouring tea, place another finger on the lid knob or lid, and avoid large movements. Keep the teapot in hand during the process of pouring tea, as many lids fall off during this time. Avoid imitating the tricks that teapot sellers perform, such as lids that don't fall off or lids standing upside down over the spout. These are deceptive gimmicks that could accidentally ruin your cherished teapot, resulting in a loss that outweighs any gain. Place the teapot in high places or inside cabinets where children can't reach it, and do not let…

The shape of the teapot is a crucial factor in determining the capacity of a purple clay teapot.Some shapes are delicate and elegant, suitable for being made into medium or small size teapots, such as the West Lady, Horizontal Level, and Siting Pavilion shapes, etc. If they were forcibly made into large or super-large sizes, would they retain their charm?Some shapes are majestic and imposing, suitable for being made into large or super-large size teapots, such as the Han Dynasty Square, Quadrangular Jade Seal, and Han Dynasty Roof Tile shapes, etc.If they were forcibly made into small teapots, would they still exude their presence?It is precisely because of this inherent quality that we can see millions of different shapes, each with its unique characteristics.Those who love purple clay teapots will certainly encounter this problem: having acquired large, medium, and small teapots, how should one pair and use large and small teapots in daily life to ensure they are all used equally? Small teapots are convenient to carry and can be taken on business trips in your bag.They can be brought to tea houses for morning tea, hidden in office drawers for a quick tea break. They are easy to handle…

We often come across various Yixing teapots but may not know their names. Here, we will introduce some of the most common Yixing teapot shapes.  Source: Chinese Tea Culture Knowledge

Recently, a friend was sorting through a purple clay teapot he bought years ago and got quite a shock – the bottom of one teapot had developed a crack. It was in perfect condition when last used, but after being stored for several years, it had cracked. He couldn’t figure out why. It’s truly heartbreaking when a purple clay teapot cracks, especially if it’s an expensive one. Once a crack appears, its value drops significantly. So, why do teapots crack? Here are some possible reasons: 1. Improper Use In addition to issues with craftsmanship, improper handling by the user can also cause cracks. Common causes include damage from bumps or knocks (sometimes these hidden injuries go unnoticed) that later lead to the teapot cracking during use. Leaving a purple clay teapot exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods can also result in cracks. Teapots can also crack due to sudden temperature changes or uneven heating and cooling. For example, in cold environments, some teapot enthusiasts don’t have the habit of warming their teapots before use. If they pour boiling water directly into a cold teapot, it may crack. Particularly important is the case where a teapot has been unused for…

Why is it that when you first get your hands on some teapots, even before you start brewing tea in them, they feel very smooth and oily? Have you ever wondered why?While it's true that the aging of the clay and the artisan's skill in burnishing contribute to this, without a good base quality, the teapot wouldn't come out of the kiln with such an oily finish. The term "oily" confuses many enthusiasts. You might often hear statements like, "This teapot is made from Hongjiangpo clay, which has a very oily texture." Clay with oil content?High-quality clay naturally contains an oily component. When you repeatedly smooth the cross-section of good ore, you can faintly see signs of oiliness, much like how high-quality jade is naturally lustrous and over time becomes more like sheep fat. However, lower-quality jade will never achieve such an effect no matter how many years pass. Purple clay is similar in this regard. The oily texture of purple clay teapots is inherent in the clay itself. Other characteristics of purple clay can be artificially adjusted, but the oily texture is difficult to change. If the ore has good oiliness, then the teapot made from it will also…

The Drum-bellied Handle Pot and the square seal on the bottom reading “Made by Shao Yunsi” Early purple clay pots were mostly handle pots, as they were not used for steeping tea, but rather as water-heating utensils. With a handle, it was convenient to place them over fire or on a stove. Purple clay handle pots have been excavated from Song Dynasty kiln sites in Yangjiaoshan, Yixing, and the earliest dated purple clay pot in the Nanjing Museum collection is also a handle pot. It is said that Zhao Liang, one of the four great masters of the Ming Dynasty, specialized in making purple clay handle pots, but actual examples are hard to find. Some may exist without his mark, leaving their attribution uncertain. After the late Ming Dynasty, purple clay pots began to be used directly for steeping tea, but the handle did not disappear. To this day, handle pots are preserved as traditional purple clay forms. The pot shown in the figure is a purple clay handle pot, measuring 13.4 cm tall overall, with a flush-fitting lid, a flattened round knob, and a three-curved spout. Its body is shaped like a drum, both the lid and the base…

Chinese people have a long-standing obsession and fascination with certain colors. One is the "sky-blue color waiting for rain" of the Ruyao "qing," while the "qing" of Longquan celadon is another. The green mountains yield celadon from Longquan, and over two thousand years ago, the people of Zhejiang's Longquan began writing the legendary history of creating celadons. Whether it is the layered green glaze colors, the interwoven textures of the porcelain shards, or the rounded and unique shapes, Longquan celadon always precisely stirs the Chinese sense of "beauty." The ceramic authority Chen Wanli once said: "Half of China's ceramic history lies in Zhejiang; half of Zhejiang's ceramic history lies in Longquan." The production of Longquan porcelain has a long history. It is the capital of celadon and swords, a national historical and cultural city, and a national advanced city in culture. Longquan got its name from a sword. During the Spring and Autumn period, Ouyezi cast three swords in Longquan, naming one "Longyuan," which became the place name. Later, to avoid offending the Tang Dynasty's founder, Li Yuan, it was changed to Longquan. During the Three Kingdoms and Jin periods, local residents relied on natural conditions to fire celadon. At…

Drinking tea has been a tradition in China since ancient times, yet not everyone knows the correct way to do so. Even fewer can present the entire tea ceremony with finesse. The tea ritual is a spiritual legacy left by our ancestors, and it would be a beautiful thing if we could carry it forward. Here are the thirteen steps of the tea ceremony: First Step: Clean Hands and Appreciate Utensils This involves washing hands, which is very important for hygiene. First, introduce the tea into a lotus leaf and invite guests to admire the tea. Then, appreciate the utensils: Jingdezhen porcelain or Yixing purple clay teapots are preferred for their suitability in enhancing the tea's flavor. This step helps set a relaxed mood before drinking the tea. Second Step: Warm Cups and Teapot Rinse all the tea utensils with boiling water. This ensures cleanliness and also preheats the utensils, which enhances the aroma of the tea. Pour boiling water into the purple clay teapot, fairness cup, aroma cup, and tasting cup. Some people refer to this as warming the utensils. Third Step: Dragon into the Palace Place the tea leaves into the teapot. This step, though simple, can be…