Teaware

After the Laba Festival, the New Year atmosphere gradually thickens. At this time, tea shops in the capital also enter their peak season. Long queues for purchasing tea reappear in front of many old-established tea houses. Why do ordinary people concentrate on buying tea at the end of the year? On the one hand, it is to keep it for entertaining distinguished relatives and friends who come to celebrate the New Year; on the other hand, it is to prepare it as a gift when visiting during the New Year. However, when giving tea as a gift, we not only need to consider quality but also packaging issues. For a long time, we have had a misunderstanding that plain-packaged tea is fine for personal consumption, but if it’s a gift, it seems a bit lacking. To cater to such consumer psychology, the tea packaging available on the market can be said to be dazzling and varied. Taking the material of tea caddies as an example, metal ones are common, and hardwood ones are not uncommon. Some, to highlight their grade, wrap real leather around the outside of the tea caddy, and some even inlay them with jade. Frankly speaking, the…

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…

Like other collectibles, purple clay teapots also have "levels," akin to the "primary market" and "secondary market" of stocks. Depending on the cost of the work and the customer base, the quality and price can vary. Generally, they can be divided into four levels: Economical and Practical Practical items are aimed at the general public for use in tea houses and ordinary households. They are characterized by simplicity, elegance, and practicality, with prices that can be settled for a few hundred yuan. Purchasing such a teapot is like walking into a simple but clean and tidy little restaurant with the words "affordable for the working class, good value for money" posted above the door. As long as you're there to satisfy your hunger, you won't feel anxious. However, today's common people's aesthetic standards are rising. Practical products can also be made exquisite, gradually approaching higher standards, and those not adapting to market demands will eventually be eliminated. Suitable for Appreciation and Use This category usually comes from skilled craftsmen, and prices are often influenced by the author's professional title level, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. The craftsmanship is relatively fine, making them suitable for both…

The four types of pots—Lotus Seed, Drum Imitation, Duetsphere, and Duet—are very similar and often confused. Let's clarify these four pot styles: As shown above, the Drum Imitation is generally the shortest among these four pots, with a handle that may have an inverted ear (a small ear-like protrusion at the end). The Lotus Seed pot is slightly taller than the Drum Imitation and also has an inverted ear on its handle. The Duetsphere pot is the tallest of the four, and its handle does not have an ear-like protrusion. The bottoms of the first three pots—Drum Imitation, Lotus Seed, and Duetsphere—are all fitted with a false bottom; looking straight down, there is no visible "foot," as the body curves directly to the bottom. The last style, the Duet pot, easily reveals its bottom, which features a "line" or "foot." This makes it relatively easy to distinguish. Its handle also lacks an ear-like protrusion. Lotus Seed The "Lotus Seed" pot shape consists of circles stacked from small to large, symbolizing the Chinese traditional meaning of "successive generations of noble offspring." Ancestral customs often use homophones for auspiciousness. The basic characteristics of the Lotus Seed pot are: overall fullness, broad shoulders…

     Firstly, purple clay teapots are beautiful, with a variety of shapes—angular goods, plain goods, flowered goods, and so many more that they can be dazzling and overwhelming, making it difficult to know where to start. Sometimes you like everything, but after a while, you might not like anything at all—it truly is a matter of personal taste. Firstly, you should figure out what truly moves you and makes you feel the beauty. This varies from person to person. For example, some may appreciate the beauty of lines, the grandeur of the design, or the elegance of simplicity. This simplifies things considerably. By focusing on one aspect, you will find many beautiful objects and discover much joy. Gradually develop your interest, expanding from a single point to a broader perspective. Slowly improve your aesthetic sense, broaden your appreciation, and elevate your standards of evaluation. When evaluating a teapot, you can consider the five main elements—"clay, shape, craftsmanship, engraving, and signature"—and the four major factors—"spirit, form, atmosphere, and attitude." This can be a complex process, often leaving one feeling lost and disoriented. We should start by looking at the overall shape, assessing whether the overall lines are well-proportioned, much like…

From the moment you brew the first pot of tea in your new teapot, it begins to form a bond with you, and you must care for it tenderly. Day after day, as you brew tea and play with the teapot, it gradually becomes lustrous like jade. You, too, become unhurried and patient, developing the composure needed to face life's trivialities and uncertainties. Rules for Nourishing a Teapot: 1. One teapot for one type of tea—purity and exclusivity are key. 2. Avoid oil stains; always wash your hands thoroughly before handling the teapot if they have touched oil. 3. Clean the tea residue promptly after each use, not only for the sake of the teapot but also for your own health. 4. Allow the teapot to rest for a period before using it again. Tips for Nourishing Your Teapot: One: Brew tea daily with the teapot. Two: Attention to detail is paramount. This means paying attention to parts of the teapot that are often overlooked during the nourishing process. ① Inner Wall: Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe around the inside of the teapot, including the bottom, rim, and spout. ② Exterior: Pay special attention to the bottom, lid,…

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…

"After crude molds are fired, each reveals its remarkable quality. Though seemingly made of clay, they emit a metallic or jade-like sound when struck," this is a five-character verse by the Qing Dynasty scholar Zheng Banqiao, succinctly conveying the charm and spirit of purple clay teapots. A lump of purple clay, after being shaped by skilled craftsmen into a work of art, experiences its first life; later, it becomes a cherished vessel for tea connoisseurs, who through continuous care, give it a second life. Whether a purple clay teapot can flourish with a second life depends on the owner's care. So, how do you know if your nurturing efforts are effective? "Daily handling of a contented teapot, green tea leaves and fragrant blossoms soothe the stomach," nurturing a teapot not only benefits one's health but also brings joy in seeing the pot gradually develop a lustrous appearance. So, how exactly can you nurture it to achieve the desired effect? Here are some key points to keep in mind: Basic Principles for Nurturing a Teapot 1. Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the teapot before and after each use. 2. Moderate wiping: dry or wet. Dry wipe: After brewing tea,…

Many people complain about the high price of a handcrafted purple clay teapot. In contrast, there are many inexpensive purple clay teapots on the market, ranging from tens to a few hundred yuan, which are quite popular. But do you know how these "cheap purple clay teapots" are made? These types of teapots are mostly made using slip-casting technology, where the clay is mixed with kaolin and water glass and then ground into a 200-mesh slurry, almost devoid of particles. The slurry is then heated and wax added before it is poured into plaster molds. After cooling and demolding, the teapot body is formed, fitted with spout and handle, and becomes a poorly porous body. After forming, it is coated with a slip for finishing. Thus, they become cheaper and cheaper to produce. Many enthusiasts' first lesson in purple clay teapots involves buying a slip-cast pot. A slip-cast teapot is not the same as a semi-handmade one; don't confuse them. A slip-cast teapot has no handmade components and is mass-produced. Semi-handmade teapots use molds only for shaping the body and require manual work for other parts. How to identify a slip-cast teapot: 1. Low Price Slip-cast teapots have low material…

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…

The gaiwan brings out the original flavor, while tea brewed in a purple clay pot is enhanced. You will find it somewhat sweeter. If you are not doing a tea tasting but enjoying an aged tea, many seasoned tea enthusiasts would choose a purple clay pot. Brewing Puer Tea with a Purple Clay Pot Suitable for brewing ripe tea, aged tea, and compressed tea. Given that puer tea improves with age, it is suitable to use high temperatures to awaken the tea leaves and extract their contents. A purple clay pot has good breathability and heat retention, absorbs tea juice, and is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures. Secondly, its good breathability helps to restore the true color, aroma, and taste of the tea. Moreover, due to the unique nature of its material, it is very suitable for brewing compressed teas, aged teas, and ripe teas. Its excellent heat retention slows down the dissipation of the aroma, making the brewed tea more flavorful. Furthermore, long-term use can enhance the aroma of puer tea, making its flavor richer and more mellow. Brewing Puer Tea with a White Porcelain Gaiwan Suitable for brewing new teas, raw puer teas, and loose teas.…

Tea lovers likely have a few handy tea utensils in their possession. It may be love at first sight at a market, or its story has moved you. You purchase and play with them, carry them around, just to bring your own unique cup to the tea session and share it with like-minded people. However, no matter how careful one is, tea ware can still meet with misfortune. When broken, it loses its original function, yet it's a pity to throw it away. How could you bear to let your beloved item end up discarded? Why not fill it with soil and plant some succulents, turning it into a small potted plant that stays close by; or repurpose it as a vase for flower arrangements, trying to create your own style. Using tea ware as containers for flowers is not uncommon. Whether decorating an exquisite teapot with lush flowers or adorning an antique cup with verdant twigs, when cups blossom, the poetic mood is created within.

Tea enthusiasts may have had the experience of buying a variety of cups when they first started learning about tea, such as bell-shaped cups, heart-shaped cups, slim-waist cups, blue-and-white thin porcelain, Ru kiln pieces with crackle glaze, Tenmoku bowls… Tea ware provides a direct sense of beauty, a form of aesthetic that can be touched by the senses, and so many tea lovers are connoisseurs of tea ware. If they find you kindred in spirit, they could tell you all about the history and origin of their tea cups in great detail. The appreciation of tea ware is similar to drinking tea, requiring careful savoring and discernment to notice subtle changes and discover finer beauty... Initially, I was fond of polychrome ware due to its rich colors that easily attract attention. Over time, however, I found that understated green tea ware is also appealing, as it endures solitude and becomes more flavorful with use. It can be paired with any type of tea, and the empty spaces give us room for imagination, resonating with the essence of tea. Gradually, from chance encounters with cups, I began to desire to own my own cup and embarked on the journey of "nourishing"…

The use, maintenance, and cleaning of purple clay pots come with specific knowledge and methods. These practical tips are the summation of life experiences. Understanding this knowledge and mastering the correct methods can greatly enrich and improve tea and pot arts.Drinking tea in winter is a very healthy practice. Brewing tea with a purple clay pot not only brings out its rich aroma without any cooked taste but also offers an advantage over other teapots due to its excellent heat retention, especially in cold weather. Preparing the Tea This refers to brewing tea. Different teas require different water temperatures for steeping. Tip: Remember to warm up the purple clay pot before brewing tea in winter, especially Zhu Ni pots, to prevent cracking. Purple clay pots come in various heights. Tall pots are suitable for black tea, while short pots are better for green tea. Tall pots have a higher body and a more closed lid, making them ideal for black tea. Since black tea undergoes fermentation during processing, steeping it in a tall pot allows for deep brewing, fully developing the tea's flavor, aroma, and color, resulting in a richer and more fragrant infusion. Shorter pots have a shorter body…

The gloss of a Zisha teapot, also known as "water color," can appear lustrous or dull. What causes this difference? Is it the clay, the craftsmanship, or something else?... (Close-up) After a Zisha teapot is fired to crystallization, surface contraction forms wrinkles. Most light is absorbed by these wrinkles, which is why new Zisha teapots appear relatively dim compared to other objects. Only a small portion of light is reflected from the crystalline surfaces, making the pot visible. After a period of care and use, tea and oils are adsorbed onto the different depths of the wrinkles, increasing the density of reflective points. Since these reflections come from various depths, the light appears to have depth, resembling a luminous cloud. The light scattered from crystalline points also creates an effect similar to a misty glow. Thus, genuine Zisha teapots do not appear overly bright and are not glaring under strong light, giving off a warm and lustrous feeling. Observing the gloss sounds simple but requires experience. A Zisha teapot with good gloss is made from pure, high-quality clay and crafted with skillful techniques at the correct firing temperature: 1. The clay must be pure and of high quality. Only clays…

Using a gaiwan differs between men and women. How to brew a good cup of tea with a gaiwan depends on individual circumstances. The normal capacity of a gaiwan typically ranges from 100ml to 300ml. Different people will choose according to their needs. Gaiwans preferred by women ▲Women have smaller hands, so they need more compact teaware. Women have smaller hands, so they need more compact teaware. The size of the gaiwan generally should not exceed 150ml. Therefore, the most suitable size for a gaiwan is between 100-150ml. It can be even smaller, like 80ml, as this size also exists. A 150ml gaiwan is usually about 9cm in diameter at the rim and 8cm tall. So, in my opinion, a size of 120ml would be most suitable for women. This size is moderate; if the material is thin porcelain, it won't feel heavy or hot in the hand, making it the best choice. Gaiwans preferred by men ▲Men tend to drink larger quantities of tea more frequently, so they need a larger gaiwan. Men tend to drink larger quantities of tea more frequently, so they need a larger gaiwan. The largest gaiwan is around 300cc. Anything larger than that would…

If conditions permit, consider the following types of purple clay teapots: Clay: Purple clay, red clay, slope mud, etc. Pot shape: Large belly (considering that Yunnan black tea leaves are relatively large) Capacity: Over 200 milliliters Black tea is a fully fermented tea made from new shoots of appropriate tea trees, processed through withering, rolling (cutting), fermentation, and drying. Drinking it regularly not only aids digestion but also nourishes and protects the stomach, making it very suitable for winter consumption. Some people are casual about their tea drinking and will brew black tea in any cup, while others are more particular and use a purple clay teapot to enhance the lingering aroma of the black tea. Not all purple clay teapots are suitable for brewing black tea. Firstly, black tea is named for the red color of its tea soup and leaf base when brewed. Due to the dark color of the tea soup, clays such as purple clay, bottom groove green, clear purple clay, and sky blue clay are suitable. You can choose darker colored clays. If using original green or duan mud, be sure to clean them promptly to avoid unsightly tea stains. The color of the purple…

Many teapot enthusiasts choose to use purple clay teapots when drinking tea, one reason being that over time, with the continuous soaking in tea water, they become smooth and lustrous, which is referred to as “forming a patina.” ▲ A lustrous patina Thus, nurturing the teapot becomes a subject of study for every user and lover of these teapots. However, upon closer examination, we can discern three levels of nurturing a purple clay teapot. Let's delve into them. 1. Seeking But Not Achieving "Seeking but not achieving" is something many novice teapot enthusiasts encounter. Despite trying various methods, the teapot shows no change or fails to develop a beautiful patina. ▲ Tea stains on the bottom of the pot In previous articles, we have analyzed that this can be due to several reasons: Reasons related to the teapot itself: Novice enthusiasts may have purchased slip-cast or hand-pulled teapots or teapots made from inferior clay, all of which can lead to failure in developing a patina. Reasons related to the method of nurturing: For example, failing to clean tea residue regularly or allowing the teapot to come into contact with oil, which can result in uneven coloring on the teapot body.…

For many who enjoy drinking tea, there's a common annoyance—the accumulation of tea stains on their utensils. How can one easily clean these utensils? Proper maintenance not only keeps the tea more healthful for consumption but also ensures that the buildup of tea stains, which can be detrimental to health, is minimized. Most people tend to use steel wool (scrubbing balls) or loofah sponges, which are relatively abrasive cleaning tools, to scrub away the stains. While this approach is effective, consider that using such rough tools can easily damage the glaze on the surface of your tea utensils, gradually wearing it down. Over time, the tea stains will seep into the utensils themselves, causing them to take on the color of the tea and making them impossible to clean. The best method for cleaning is to, after each session of drinking tea, promptly dispose of the leaves and rinse the utensils with water. Maintaining this good habit over time means you won't need any cleaning tools, and your utensils will remain bright and glossy. However, many people often neglect cleaning their utensils right after drinking tea, instead opting to rest or do something else. By the time they remember to…

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…

One, pouring tea over the pot. When brewing tea, some pour tea juice over the pot, believing that this allows the pot to absorb more nutrients, and they neither wipe nor scrub it. Over time, the pot is covered with a layer of tea scale, making its surface unsightly and dark. Two, dry wiping. While brewing tea, take advantage of the pot's heat to pour tea juice over it, and after pouring out the tea juice, use a dry towel to wipe it back and forth. Pots nurtured this way become shiny relatively quickly, but once they are polished, they are most afraid of human sweat and moisture. If the pot comes into contact with either, the luster easily fades, leading to uneven shine on the pot's surface. Three, wet wiping. When the pot is hot, use a towel dipped in tea water to wipe the pot, continuously rubbing it. This method is akin to polishing shoes, applying layers of tea juice onto the pot. Once it shines, if unused for more than six months, the luster gradually fades. Four, frequent brushing. Pour tea water over the pot while it's hot, taking advantage of its absorption, and frequently brush it…

Old Wang is a well-known master at nourishing purple clay pots in the Suzhou pot circle. The pots that have passed through his hands are all dark and elegant, ancient and simple, as warm and smooth as jade, extremely graceful. Many people have asked Old Wang for advice on how to nourish their pots so well. Old Wang mentioned the importance of frequent washing and use, but the crowd requested more detailed methods. Old Wang sighed deeply; everyone now only saw how well he could nourish his pots, but they didn't know how many beloved pots he had ruined in the process, and in various ways... Over-nourished to Death When Old Wang first started playing with purple clay pots, he heard that pouring tea over the pot daily could make the purple clay pot absorb the tea faster and form a patina. So he poured tea over the pot every day. After pouring tea over the pot, he didn’t wipe it off. His pot-nourishing cloth was used as a tablecloth. After a few months, he found that his pot had uneven dark patches. It had been over-nourished to death. Old Wang beat his chest and stomped his feet. His first…

Why do many people like to brew tea with a gaiwan? A gaiwan, as the name suggests, is a teacup with a lid. Most of the gaiwans we see today typically consist of three parts: the lid, the teacup, and the saucer. These three parts are metaphorically referred to as heaven, earth, and human, hence the gaiwan is also known as the Three Talents Cup representing harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity. Benefits of Brewing Tea with a Gaiwan One, a gaiwan is suitable for brewing any type of tea. There is no tea that cannot be brewed with a gaiwan, unlike a glass cup which is only suitable for green tea and not other teas. Purple clay teapots are not ideal for brewing green tea or oolong tea. Additionally, due to the double-pore structure of purple clay teapots, they tend to absorb the flavor of the tea, so if you enjoy drinking a variety of teas, you would need a different teapot for each one. On the other hand, if you use a gaiwan, the porcelain does not absorb flavors. With just one gaiwan at home, you can adjust the brewing process slightly according to the nature of the…

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…