Teaware

For many newcomers, there may indeed be some confusion. After all, the culture of purple clay has continued for hundreds of years, enduring and thriving, playing an increasingly important role in tea culture. This further illustrates that for tea drinkers, a purple clay pot is indispensable tea ware. Many seasoned tea enthusiasts have used purple clay pots from the beginning, and later even purchased dozens of various styles of Yixing purple clay pots. To those unfamiliar with purple clay pots, this may seem quite perplexing! Why do so many people like to brew tea using a purple clay pot? Why is Tea Brewed in a Purple Clay Pot Better? The most direct benefit is that it doesn’t get too hot to handle. Due to the nature of the material, a purple clay pot does not conduct heat easily. Also, because of the unique shape of the pot, one’s hand is less likely to touch the walls of the pot. A purple clay pot can absorb the aroma of tea. The unique material allows a frequently used clay pot to retain the tea fragrance, and the longer the pot is used, the stronger the tea scent it retains. A purple clay…

When brewing tea, enthusiasts often seek a smooth and seamless experience. A disrupted water flow or a clogged spout can be quite disappointing. "Powerful pouring," "one-second pouring," and "three-inch pour without splashing" are all terms used to describe the smooth water flow of a zisha teapot, evoking a sense of satisfaction and efficiency. A teapot capable of one-second pouring must possess the following nine factors: 01. Diameter of the Spout The larger the diameter of the spout, the greater the water flow and the faster the pouring; the smaller the diameter, the slower the pouring. 02. Curvature of the Spout Zisha teapot spouts can be categorized by their shape into straight, single-curved, double-curved, and triple-curved. Generally, a straight spout provides the most powerful pour, as seen in teapots like the Shui Ping, Shi Piao, and De Zhong. 03. Number and Regularity of Spout Holes The more holes in the spout, the greater the total area and thus the greater the water flow. Among two teapots with identical shapes, a ball-shaped hole is best for water flow and less prone to clogging. 04. Size and Regularity of the Vent Hole on the Lid For a teapot with good airtightness, the larger…

In fact, there's no universal standard for this question. Teapots made from aged clay can be nourished relatively quickly, while duan clay teapots, which have a lighter color, are harder to nourish but develop a very appealing luster once they do. Some types of clay may seem unremarkable when the teapot first comes out of the kiln, but after just a few infusions, noticeable changes start to appear, with the overall color becoming much more pronounced. How Long Does It Take to See Results When Nourishing a Teapot? If you use a zisha (purple clay) teapot daily by steeping tea in it once a day, you'll begin to see subtle changes on the surface of the pot after about a month, giving it a smoother and richer feel. After one month, the body of the pot will develop a luster that is subdued yet radiant, clearly differentiating it from a new teapot. High-quality clay may even start to form a patina before the month is up. After a year of regular use, the teapot will take on an increasingly refined appearance, exuding a unique spirit. When a zisha teapot has been properly cared for over time, it will eventually achieve…

When creating a beautiful piece, the more variables involved, the weaker the human control becomes. However, luck always stands by every craftsman who truly invests their life and wisdom in it. As long as you have sufficient accumulation and patience, fine works will naturally emerge. Shoe firing ceramics are both man-made and reliant on nature, a collaboration between heaven and humanity, with its wonders lying within. Shoe firing refers to the production of ceramic wares using wood as fuel. This is an ancient technique with a high degree of difficulty, where the success or failure of the work depends on the relationship between clay, fire, wood, and kiln. Returning to nature, the fusion of fire, earth, and ash gives rise to a natural, thick, and primitive beauty. Shoe firing seeks the natural combination of wood ashes and earth, not bound by formal aesthetics, but rather without any artificial embellishment. The beauty of simplicity is attached to everything, and only in the formless yet shaped shoe-fired ware can one touch the soul. Shoe firing is mainly divided into two categories: glazed (base glaze) and unglazed (natural glaze). For example, Song Dynasty Tenmoku bowls and celadon glazes are glazed, while Bizen-yaki from…

      1. Try to avoid dry burning. Do not heat the kettle when there is no water in it. Repeated and continuous dry burning will shorten the lifespan of the iron kettle and may even cause it to crack. 2. Prevent large temperature differences. A large temperature difference refers to a significant difference between the temperature of the kettle body and the water temperature. For example, adding hot water to a cold kettle or pouring cold water into a hot kettle. In such cases, there is a risk of cracking the kettle. A better approach is to alternate the use of two or more iron kettles. When you only have one kettle, you can replenish the water inside by adding hot water. 3. Keep the iron kettle dry. If there is still moisture left inside the kettle after use, it can easily rust. Therefore, you should use the residual heat from the kettle and stove to evaporate any remaining water inside, ensuring that the kettle stays dry.

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…

 Several unscientific methods of caring for a teapot! To brew a delicious cup of tea leaves, the selection of the tea pot is very important. Let's take a look at four unscientific methods of caring for a teapot. Four unscientific methods of caring for a teapot: 1. Shellac Method The shellac method involves pouring tea juice over the pot while brewing tea, believing that this allows the pot to absorb more nutrients. Moreover, neither wiping nor brushing is done. This method of caring for a teapot is unscientific as the pot will eventually be covered by a layer of tea scale, making its surface unsightly and dark. 2. Dry Rubbing Method The dry rubbing method involves rubbing the teapot back and forth with a dry tea towel, believing that this method results in a shinier pot. However, once achieved, the luster is most afraid of human hand oils and moisture. If the pot comes into contact with these, the previously hard-earned sheen can easily fade, resulting in uneven gloss on the pot’s surface. 3. Wet Rubbing Method The wet rubbing method involves wiping the pot body with a tea towel dipped in tea water while the pot is hot, constantly…

Simplicity without monotony, the tea ware, complemented by dried flowers, bamboo baskets, and mats, evokes a Japanese sense of Zen aesthetics. It turns out that the details of life can be so beautiful! Recently, many ceramic artists in Dehua have been drawing inspiration from aesthetic principles in Taiwan and Japan. Using their skills in glaze color blending, they create simple yet distinctive works of art. These are both artistic expressions of urban slow living and practical items, becoming popular home decor items on the market. Cultural and Creative Design Enhances Ceramic Quality The tactile sensation of cotton and linen, a water-resistant fabric dyed with natural plant dyes from Taiwan draped over a table, paired with a set of square, simply designed yellow tea ware (Fig. 1), and a finely crafted bamboo mat, the rustic and natural aesthetics created by Dehua's ceramic artists seem to come naturally. "The natural feel of cotton and linen or bamboo mats creates an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity in the Zen space." Square and minimalist yellow tea ware (Fig. 1) In the Zhengyu Art Ceramic Exhibition Hall in Dehua, reporters see sets of tea ware embodying Zen aesthetics carefully arranged on display tables. Seeing this…

01. Tea Mountain: Purple clay teapots have good breathability. The tea stains that adhere to the pot over long-term use are usually referred to as a tea mountain. 02. Aging: Also known as "nourishing the soil," this is the final processing step for purple clay. Well-mixed and refined clay is placed in ceramic vats and stored in a damp, shady place to ferment and age. 03. Aging Period: This refers to the time from when the well-mixed and refined clay is placed in a damp, shady spot to start aging. Like fine wine aged in underground cellars, the longer the aging period, the smoother and more elegant the resulting teapot will be. The minimum aging period should be at least three months. 04. Patina: After years of use, a natural and unique luster forms on the surface of the teapot. This luster is restrained and deep. 05. Sun Lines: In the bottom center of a purple clay teapot, there are radiating lines like sunbeams in the clay, which are called "sun lines." 06. Original Purple Clay Mine: Many purple clay artisans exaggerate by claiming they use "original purple clay mine" for their works. In fact, purple clay is broken down…

Why talk about this topic? It's inspired by frequent sincere requests from enthusiasts saying: I want to buy a teapot, no high demands, as long as it’s made of original mine clay. Others start with the first question: Is it original mine? The pursuit of original mine purple clay is a basic consensus among collectors and enthusiasts. This isn't some elitist prejudice; we must admit that in the minds of players, original mine material is like "noble offspring." So, what’s so good about original mine clay? The essential conditions for original mine clay refer to both the source of the mine and the fact that no chemical additives are used in the raw material extracted directly from the mine to make the clay. Good original mine purple clay contains many tender clays and is a combination of various minerals, especially with very high iron content. After firing, the color becomes dark and subdued, presenting an aged appearance. Additionally, good original mine clay has been aged for a long time, develops patina quickly, and is highly adaptable. In terms of texture, teapots made from original mine clay have a refined luster that is restrained and warm like jade. These are all…

While brewing tea with a purple clay pot is great, it can lead to the accumulation of tea scale. During the process of nurturing the pot, frequent brewing inevitably leaves tea residue inside the pot. Many enthusiasts believe that the tea scale is an accumulated essence over time, and with this layer of tea scale, even pouring boiling water into the purple clay pot will result in a faint tea fragrance when poured out. However, the truth is that not cleaning the tea scale can easily lead to bacterial growth, which is detrimental to health. So, how can you clean the pot without removing the patina? Below are instructions on how to clean the tea scale inside a purple clay pot without damaging the patina. Step 1 Place one spoonful of edible baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) into the pot, pour in boiling water (100°C) (remember to warm the pot first), fill the pot to the brim, and then cover it with the lid. Step 2 After waiting for about two or three minutes, gently scrub the inside of the pot with a pot-nurturing cloth or a soft-bristled brush. You will see the tea scale turn into yellow water flowing…

For those who love to drink tea, it's natural to explore various tea wares. Tea enthusiasts who own both purple clay teapots and gaiwans may notice differences when using them to steep the same tea – in terms of aroma, color of the tea liquor, and taste. To understand why there are differences in taste, we need to look at the characteristics of purple clay teapots and gaiwans. [Gaiwan] A gaiwan is a traditional Chinese tea ware consisting of a lid, a base, and a bowl. It is also known as the "Three-Talent Bowl" or "Three-Talent Cup," symbolizing heaven with the lid, earth with the base, and humanity with the bowl, embodying the concept of harmony between heaven, earth, and man. The most common type of gaiwan is made of white porcelain, which has a dense body and thick glaze. Feature 1: White Porcelain Does Not Retain Flavors Due to its unique material, white porcelain preserves the purest flavor of the tea but also retains any impurities in the leaves. Feature 2: Easy to Maintain Since white porcelain does not retain flavors, it is easy to clean and can be used for various types of tea without worrying about flavor…