Teaware

Chinese people love to serve tea to their guests. Serving tea upon entry has three meanings: first, it shows the host's respect for the guest, as there is a sense of courtesy in the tea; second, it demonstrates the host's hospitality, with the friendship between host and guest and the goodwill towards the guest all contained in this cup of tea; third, it helps to adjust the atmosphere so that neither the host nor the guest feels awkward or constrained. Serving and drinking tea actually carries a psychological aspect of mutual communication. Etiquette comes first in everything, and serving tea to guests is no exception. How should teacups and teapot be placed? 1. The process of placing the teapot and cups should be orderly, balanced left and right, and unobstructed as much as possible; 2. If there must be an obstruction, arrange items from lowest to highest, placing shorter items like cups in front of the guest's line of sight; 3. To show respect to the guest, the spout of the teapot should not face the guest, and any patterns on the teapot and cups should be directed towards the guest, placed neatly. The teapot spout should not face the…

If the Yixing teapot is purely for daily use, it's generally appropriate to choose one priced between 500 to 1,000 yuan. If you seek both practicality and artistry in your teapot, you may opt for one costing between 1,000 to 10,000 yuan. If you also desire collectibility, you might consider teapots priced between 100,000 to 10 million yuan. The appropriate price for a personal-use Yixing teapot depends on your purpose for purchasing it. If it's just for everyday use and you don't care whether it was made by a renowned craftsman, a teapot priced between 600 to 1,000 yuan would be suitable. If you want a teapot that not only serves practical purposes but also meets artistic standards and exceeds basic models, you might choose one priced between 4,000 to 10,000 yuan. These teapots are typically made from precious clay and are mostly handcrafted. If you wish to use your teapot daily and also for collecting, you could consider teapots priced between 10,000 to 100,000 yuan. Such teapots are often crafted by renowned artisans and embody craftsmanship, artistry, and cultural value. A Yixing teapot is an essential piece of tea ware on any tea table and an important component of…

We often talk about the unique characteristics of purple clay teapots, such as their ability to retain fragrance when brewing tea and lack of cooked soup aroma. While the claim that they remain fresh even in summer might be an exaggeration, purple clay teapots do indeed have a distinctive “porosity” not found in other types of teaware. ▲ Brewing tea with a purple clay pot The porosity of purple clay teapots comes from their unique “double-pore structure,” which refers to the sand particles and their agglomerate structure within the clay material itself. ▲ Cross-section particles Purple clay materials used for making teapots vary in coarseness, indicated by different mesh sizes, leading many to wonder if the porosity of a purple clay teapot is related to its mesh size. Mesh Size The mesh size refers to the size of the purple clay particles. When we grind and sieve purple clay ore, we use a screen to determine the mesh size, with common sizes being 24, 32, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mesh. The smaller the mesh size, the coarser the clay particles; conversely, the larger the mesh size, the finer the clay particles. ▲ Cross-section particles The mesh size also affects…

Purple clay is a type of mineral, and many enthusiasts are aware that it is a mixture of "sand and mud," where "mud is the flesh, and sand is the bone." The sandy texture is also an important characteristic of purple clay teapots, and many friends enjoy examining this feature when looking at the pots. As makers of purple clay teapots, we have developed various techniques for preparing the clay, including "sand blending" and "sand laying." After undergoing these processes, the teapot's sandy texture becomes significantly richer, presenting a more striking visual effect with unique charm. Purple Clay Sand Blending In the past, any master potter was first and foremost skilled in clay preparation and sand blending. Each renowned potter had their secret technique to ensure uniqueness. Sand blending involves adding a certain proportion of cooked or semi-cooked sand particles to the raw clay to increase particle density during the clay preparation process. When both the clay and added sand come from the same mineral source, it's called tone blending; if they come from different sources, it's called contrasting tone blending. Sand blending not only enhances the sandy texture but also improves the malleability of the clay. If the clay…

A teapot enthusiast asked a few days ago, "Why are purple clay teapots called such?" What exactly does the term "clay" refer to, and what role does it play in a purple clay teapot? 1: What Exactly Does "Clay" Refer To In Purple Clay? 1. Quartz particles (as shown by the white dots in the image below). This is according to the academic school of thought; 2. The physical cohesion of purple clay, as per the experiential school of thought. When discussing with others, it is essential first to clarify which concept is being referred to; otherwise, heated debates can ensue, with the experiential school thinking the academic one knows nothing, and the academic school viewing the experiential one as ignorant. The "double-pore structure" of purple clay is closely related to its quartz content. The "purple" refers to color, while the "clay" refers to its nature. When a purple clay teapot breaks, you can examine its fractured surface to clearly discern its unique structure. During firing, carbonate in the clay decomposes, releasing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases that form bubbles. Some of these bubbles connect, forming an open "chain-like pore cluster," while others remain isolated within aggregates of quartz…

The Purple Clay through the Eyes of the Dingshan People What is purple clay? Purple clay is a type of stoneware, a ceramic product that lies between pottery and porcelain. It is a cultural heritage passed down from our ancestors and a shining diamond in the five-thousand-year history of Chinese culture. To the people of Dingshan, purple clay is not only a means of livelihood but also a form of culture. In their daily lives, the presence of purple clay is always evident. Flower pots for gardening, stone stools in courtyards, building materials for walls, jars for storing rice, discarded teapot lids repurposed as pen holders by artisans, chipped teapots used to hold vinegar at small wonton stalls under the big wooden bridge—whether flawed, discolored, or marred with blemishes, any defective teapots that cannot be sold find practical uses in everyday life. The love the people of Dingshan have for purple clay runs deep within their bones; it is unchangeable. Their confidence in purple clay has been passed down from generation to generation, never shaken! A person, a handful of earth, a clay teapot, and a city.

Throughout the development of tea history, the relationship between tea culture and tea wares can be directly attributed to the impact of tea culture on the evolution of tea wares. After all, the development of tea wares has progressed step by step based on the foundation of tea culture. So, how has tea culture influenced the development of tea wares and tea ware culture over time? Several thousand years ago, tea leaves came into existence. At this time, tea wares were not specifically used for brewing tea but were used together with wine utensils and other vessels. This situation persisted for thousands of years. After the Tang Dynasty, due to economic prosperity and people's pursuit of spiritual civilization, tea wares emerged. The tea at that time was usually in the form of compressed cakes, and the commonly used tea wares were made of ceramics. It is worth noting that glass tea wares had already appeared by then, but due to technological limitations, they did not develop further during the subsequent feudal dynasties. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang abolished compressed cakes in favor of loose leaf tea, which directly propelled the rapid development of purple clay teapots.…

When it comes to Xi Shi, everyone is familiar. As one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China, she was renowned for her graceful and beautiful appearance that could captivate a city. In the world of zisha (purple clay) teapots, there is also one known as “Xi Shi.” As the name suggests, this teapot should be as beautiful as Xi Shi herself, or perhaps its inspiration originates from Xi Shi. Xi Shi was a maiden who lived in the state of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period. She was naturally beautiful and enchanting, truly capable of captivating a city with just a smile and a country with another. A poem describes her thus: a small mouth like a cherry, a lock of hair like a rainbow; even without makeup, she was adored by heroes of old. The Xi Shi teapot is also an exquisite creation among zisha teapots, and today we will delve into the essence of both Xi Shi and the Xi Shi teapot. The King of Yue, Goujian, endured hardship and plotted to restore his kingdom. He presented Xi Shi to King Fuchai of Wu, intending for her to subvert the state of Wu. Everyone in…

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.

Black tea is a global category of tea, and Dianhong has become a famous flower among black teas due to its "high fragrance and rich flavor." Dianhong has excellent compatibility and can be enjoyed hot or cold. It can be traditionally brewed as a "clear drink," or various ingredients such as flowers and fruits can be added to the clear drink to create delicious beverages. Today, let's discuss what kind of purple clay pot is suitable for drinking Dianhong. What Kind of Purple Clay Pot Should Be Used for Drinking Dianhong? 1. Clay Type: Purple Clay and Red Clay The color of Dianhong tea is deep, so dark-colored purple clay pots made from purple clay (including bottom groove blue, clear purple clay, red skin dragon, etc.), red clay, and mixed mineral types (descending slope mud, peach blossom mud, agarwood mud) will match it more naturally. 2. Capacity Due to the fact that black tea is not compressed and is fragile when vacuumed, a purple clay pot with a capacity of around 200-250cc is suitable. If the capacity is too large, holding the pot will be strenuous, and the tea infusion will be bland. If the capacity is too small, the…

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…

I believe there are many tea enthusiasts who love their purple clay teapots, but not all of them know how to protect them. The maintenance of a purple clay teapot is particularly important. This is not only because of its collectible value but also because it has practical uses, so you should take good care of your purple clay teapot. Fear of Dropping Purple clay teapots are especially afraid of being dropped. Once ceramic products are broken, they cannot be restored to their original state – even if repaired with techniques like porcelain joining or kintsugi, the result will only be a kind of imperfect beauty. How can you prevent dropping your teapot? When pouring tea, keep another finger on the lid or knob, and avoid large movements. Keep the teapot in hand during the pouring process, as many lids fall off while pouring tea. Avoid imitating the tricks that teapot sellers use, such as lids that don’t fall off or upside-down spout and lid demonstrations. These are just gimmicks that could easily ruin your beloved teapot, making it a waste of effort. Place the teapot in high or cabinet locations where children can’t reach, and don’t let clumsy people…

The Sancai bowl is, in fact, the common lidded cup.The Sancai bowl consists of three parts: the lid, the cup, and the saucer, symbolizing the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity. It is also known as the "Sancai Cup," with a capacity ranging from 100 to 200 milliliters. Brewing tea in a lidded cup allows one to fully appreciate its color, aroma, taste, and appearance. In his essay "Drinking Tea," Mr. Lu Xun wrote: "To enjoy good tea, one should use a lidded cup. And so, using a lidded cup, the tea turned out clear and sweet, slightly fragrant yet subtly bitter—a truly fine tea." In the past, lidded cups were mostly used for brewing flower teas, but now there are no restrictions, and they can be used for all types of tea. When using a lidded cup, it can serve as an individual set for direct drinking or for brewing tea which is then shared among drinkers. Before brewing tea in a lidded cup, rinse it with boiling water first, then add the tea leaves and pour in the water. The steeping time primarily depends on the type of tea, its compactness, and tenderness, but usually ranges from 3…