Teaware

A high-quality purple clay pot is unforgettable, and it should possess four qualities: first, it must be visually appealing, captivating at first sight; second, it must withstand close and repeated inspection, never tiring the eye; third, it must have a certain charm, leaving one in awe of its subtleties; fourth, there must be a connection, making one think fondly of it when away. Being visually appealing means that it should be pleasing to the eye, standing out among other purple clay pots with an extraordinary and unique character that is memorable and captivating. It's important to note that being visually appealing does not mean being overly flashy or attention-seeking. Those artifacts that try to grab attention through bizarre shapes or eccentric decorations may have initial visual appeal but are ultimately unappealing due to their excessive showiness. Withstanding close and repeated inspection means that the pot can endure detailed and repeated viewing, offering something new each time and never becoming tiresome. Some pots may initially impress but upon closer inspection reveal poor craftsmanship. Outstanding purple clay art has spirit and soul. Capturing this ethereal essence in the work is a demanding test for purple clay artists. To achieve the standard of…

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…

Purple clay teapots need to be nurtured, and the more they are cared for, the smoother and more lustrous they become with a rich, understated sheen. This is what many teapot enthusiasts or newcomers to the hobby hope to achieve. Over time, the gradual infusion of tea juices, the continuous handling, dust, sweat, and even the prolonged rubbing of clothes and skin, along with the gentle caress of airborne particles, accumulate layer upon layer. They seep into the teapot, gradually forming a "weathered" sheen on its surface, which is known as "patina." It's similar to the oil-brightened appearance that a yoke would develop from long-term use in our childhood homes. This "weathered" appearance exudes a warm, reserved glow, much like the scholarly refinement of a Confucian scholar, quietly nourishing everything around it. It is not an ostentatious brightness nor the "falsified luster" of fake teapots but rather a luminous quality imbued with spirit through prolonged contact with the human body. Patina is a term used in the antiques trade, not just applicable to purple clay teapots. Items such as porcelain, wooden objects, jade, bronze, and even thin paper artifacts like paintings and calligraphy can develop patina after being weathered by…

Brewing tea can be simple, a pot and a cup are enough to enjoy the charm of tea. Brewing tea can also be elaborate, an elaborate tea setting adds more flavor to tea tasting. "Elaborate" is a sense of ceremony, and it reflects one’s taste. Each utensil has its purpose, so what kind of tea utensils are there on a tea setting? Today, I have compiled a list of tea utensils for you. Let's see what your tea setting might be missing! Basic Tea Utensils Gaiwan: A gaiwan is a teaware consisting of a lid, bowl, and saucer, mainly used for brewing tea. Teapot: A teapot is a vessel with a spout used for brewing and pouring tea, it is one of the tea utensils primarily used for brewing tea. Fairness Cup: This is a utensil used to evenly distribute the tea liquor before pouring into tasting cups. Tasting Cup: A short cup used for drinking tea. Smelling Cup: Used for smelling the aroma, it is taller and thinner than the tasting cup, often used when brewing highly aromatic Oolong teas from Taiwan. Tea Pad: Smaller than a tea tray, used for holding tasting cups and serving tea. Tea Scoop:…

While it's great to steep tea in a purple clay teapot, it can accumulate tea stains. During the process of nurturing the pot, frequent steeping inevitably leaves tea stains inside. There is a story about a wealthy man who saw an old teapot passed down through generations in a farmer's home and offered a tempting high price for it, agreeing to come back the next day to collect it. The simple farmer, seeing that the purple clay teapot was rather dirty, scrubbed it clean. However, when the wealthy man saw the freshly cleaned teapot the next day, he no longer wanted it because what he was buying was precisely the tea stains accumulated over many years. Many teapot enthusiasts share the same idea as the farmer in the story, believing that tea stains are the essence accumulated over time. With this layer of tea stains, even pouring boiling water into the purple clay teapot would result in a faint tea aroma. However, the truth is that leaving tea stains uncleaned can easily lead to bacterial growth, which is not good for health. So, how can you clean the teapot without removing the patina? Teapot Cleaning Method Many teapot enthusiasts are…

Tea ware is a part of daily life, combining practical functionality with artistic creativity. Among its features, patterns are one of the most prominent aspects, reflecting both the wisdom of artists and the aesthetic tastes of the Chinese people. Ten specific patterns frequently appear on tea ware. Infant Play Scene The infant play scene depicts playful moments with children as the main subjects, often showing their recreational activities. This makes the tea ware lively and full of charm. Fisherfolk Joy Scene The Fisherfolk Joy Scene was widely depicted on Kangxi porcelain, representing the industrious labor and bountiful harvest of fisherfolk. When painted on tea ware, it carries the auspicious meaning of wishing for good weather and prosperity. Ladies Scene In China, ladies scenes are quite common. Under the skillful brushwork of artists, graceful and elegant women are vividly portrayed on tea ware. Enjoying the beauty of these figures while sipping tea is a reflection of the refined tastes of ancient times. Crane Pattern The use of crane patterns on tea ware dates back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, graceful and elegant red-crowned cranes were commonly depicted. The crane pattern is favored by literati for its…

Many teapot enthusiasts snub half-handmade teapots and are eager to acquire fully handmade ones. But what are the actual differences between these two crafting methods? Differences Between Fully Handmade and Half-Handmade (1) Firstly, from a craft perspective: Half-Handmade: These teapots still involve manual work. Simply put: First type: The spout, handle, and lid are handcrafted while the body is made using a mold. Second type: The body is handmade while other parts are made with molds. Third type: The entire teapot is formed using molds, so half-handmade teapots can also be called mold-made teapots. Fully Handmade: This involves using tools without molds to create a teapot, making the process more challenging and time-consuming. (2) Half-Handmade Teapots Cannot Be Mass Replicated Indefinitely Some enthusiasts worry that half-handmade teapots can be endlessly replicated using molds. In reality, half-handmade teapots still contain the maker's creativity and are unique. For example, the Ti Bi Teapot by Gu Jingzhou and the Curved Teapot by Wang Yinxian both use molds for shaping. Even contemporary masters or senior artisans cannot achieve the same effect when using the same molds. Some teapots, especially those with intricate designs, cannot be crafted without molds. (3) From a Practical and Collectible…

Some people find wood-fired purple clay teapots stunning, while others think they lose the original beauty of purple clay. Ultimately, the choice is left to individual tea enthusiasts. In addition to wood-fired pieces, there are also reduction-fired and ash-covered purple clay teapots. Today, we will cover all three techniques in one go. Wood-Fired Purple Clay The wood-firing (naked firing) process gradually increases temperature. On the first day of firing, a low-temperature smoking process begins, allowing the carbon released from the wood to fill the pores of the clay. Once the surface of the clay turns black due to the carbon, the temperature can be further increased. This process takes approximately 30 hours. The characteristic of wood-firing is that ashes and flames directly enter the kiln. Unlike conventional glazes, the falling ashes naturally adhere to the surface of the piece and, when fired at high temperatures, form a lustrous, rich, and layered natural ash glaze; Molten or unmelted wood ash creates smooth or rough textures on the surface, along with various color changes, leaving traces of where the fire once resided. The result is natural and unadorned, unpredictable and non-repeatable. The color and texture of a wood-fired purple clay teapot depend…

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…

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…

Tieguanyin, a traditional Chinese tea, belongs to the Oolong category and is one of China’s top ten famous teas. It is classified as a semi-fermented tea. Many people enjoy drinking Tieguanyin. If you're going to brew Tieguanyin, I would recommend trying a Zhu Ni (Red Clay) teapot. Zhu Ni and Tieguanyin are often paired together, making the Zhu Ni teapot the preferred choice for brewing Tieguanyin. Zhu Ni teapots have a high density and contraction ratio, which enhances the aroma of the tea. Using this teapot results in a tightly bound, smooth tea soup with a long-lasting aftertaste and strong sweetness. The characteristics of the teapot are quite unique. Six One Hall Dahongpao Cigar Section A Zhu Ni teapot of around 200 ml is more suitable for drinking Tieguanyin. The teapot can quickly reach a high temperature, which meets the requirements for brewing Tieguanyin. In addition to Zhu Ni teapots, Zi Ni (Purple Clay) teapots are also good due to their broad applicability. How to store Tieguanyin? There are five factors that affect the quality of tea: moisture, temperature, air, light, and odor. Generally, low temperatures and vacuum-sealed storage are required to preserve the color, aroma, and taste of Tieguanyin…

      Glass, known to ancient people as liuli or lusili, is actually a colored, semi-transparent mineral. Tea wares made from this material give people a vivid and radiant feeling due to their bright colors and lustrous shine. The technique of making liuli in China started early, but it was not until the Tang Dynasty that with the increase in cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries and the continuous introduction of Western liuli wares into China, did the country begin to produce liuli tea wares. The plain, footed, light yellow liuli tea cup and the plain light yellow liuli tea saucer unearthed from the Famen Temple’s underground palace in Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, which were offered by Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty, are genuine Chinese liuli tea wares. Although their shapes are primitive, decorations simple, texture appears mixed, and transparency is low, they indicate that Chinese liuli tea wares had already emerged during the Tang Dynasty and were considered precious at the time. In modern times, with the rise of the glass industry, glass tea wares quickly became popular. This is because glass is transparent, lustrous, and highly moldable, so the tea wares made from it come in…

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…

Purple clay teapots, due to their unique material and manufacturing process, have natural pores between the particles of clay, which makes them breathable but not watertight, very suitable for brewing tea. But does achieving a good patina have anything to do with the type of tea? Does more expensive tea necessarily lead to a better-looking patina? In fact, the quality of the tea has nothing to do with the patina. It is related to the type of tea and the method used to nurture the pot, rather than the cost of the tea determining the quality of the patina. Oily teas, such as Tieguanyin, release oils during brewing that gradually permeate the surface of the pot, leading to the formation of a patina in a relatively short time, giving it an ancient and lustrous appearance. Teas like ripe Pu'er, black tea, and Tieguanyin are particularly effective for nurturing the pot. When nurturing the pot, there are two methods: one is external nurturing, where tea soup is poured over the pot body, allowing the pot to absorb the tea, then hot water is poured over it, and finally, the pot is wiped clean with a tea cloth, ensuring no tea stains…

Winter is truly the perfect time to use a purple clay pot for tea, as the warm, smooth, and hefty pot conveys the gentle warmth of winter right into your hands. However, when using a purple clay pot for tea in winter, there are some points to keep in mind, so enthusiasts should take care! Select the Right Tea The dryness of winter can easily lead to heatiness, drinking green tea can help with this, quenching thirst and stimulating saliva. The gloomy weather of winter can also make one's mood depressed or irritable, in which case floral teas can be consumed to alleviate these feelings. Black tea, being warm and sweet, can have the effect of preventing flu during winter; Oolong tea can effectively alleviate dry lips and mouth that often occur in winter... Selecting the appropriate tea can make your winter more comfortable. Prevent Cracking The situations that usually lead to cracking are generally as follows: 1. Special Clays and Shapes: In purple clay pots, special attention should be paid to clays with high crystallinity and unevenly walled shapes (such as Gong Chun pots). Crystallinity is an inherent property of the clay, and different clays have different degrees of…

 1. The flavor and color of tea brewed in a purple clay cup is rich and fragrant, and it never tastes like boiled water. This is unmatched by any other type of teaware, and the tea will remain fresh for several days even in hot summer. Purple clay cups do not overpower the aroma of the tea nor impart a cooked taste. Therefore, when used to brew tea, they preserve its natural color, aroma, and flavor. 2. Porous purple clay cups can absorb tea residue, and over time, they accumulate "tea rust." As a result, even when empty, pouring boiling water into the cup releases a tea fragrance. 3. They are easy to clean. If left unused for a while and an odor develops, simply rinse the cup with boiling water two or three times, then pour out the cold water before using it to brew tea, which will retain its original flavor. 4. They have excellent thermal shock resistance. Even in the depths of winter, pouring boiling water into the cup does not cause it to crack due to sudden temperature changes. Additionally, the porous material conducts heat slowly, so the cup remains comfortable to hold. 5. They are…

It is often said that nurturing a purple clay teapot requires dedication. But how should one be dedicated? And where does one start? We have summarized seven aspects for you, commonly known as the "Seven Hearts of Nurturing a Teapot." Happy Heart: Treat it as an interest in life. It can enrich your leisure time and help you learn more about traditional Chinese culture. Approach the art of purple clay with a positive attitude, leading a simple yet fulfilling life. Careful Heart: Prevent knocks and bumps. Purple clay teapots are valuable, and any damage significantly reduces their worth. Besides the financial loss, it's also distressing to see a damaged teapot, even after repair. Calm Heart: Avoid being hasty or impatient. One day external care, the next day internal care, today oolong tea, tomorrow black tea; such inconsistency won't yield good results. Personally, I believe that nurturing a teapot is a process, primarily about enjoying the insights gained and the sense of achievement from the changes in the teapot. Ordinary Heart: No matter the value of the teapot, it has practical use. Don't neglect a less expensive teapot; treat it carelessly. Purple clay, even though abundant, is a non-renewable resource. By…

Purple clay teapots are unique in that neither the inside nor the outside is glazed, allowing the lid and body to be fired together. This ensures that the finished product has a tight, smooth lid that keeps out dust and retains heat. The main forms of lids include the press-on lid, the inset lid, and the cut-off lid. (1) Press-On Lid (also called “Complete Lid”): This type of lid sits on top of the mouth of the pot. Its edge can either be square or round, complementing the mouth of the pot. A flat piece of clay placed over the mouth is called a “seat,” while a bent piece is referred to as a “false piece.” The piece of clay forming the mouth is known as a “clump,” and the clay ring around the pot’s wall is called the “child mouth.” These parts and their transitions are connected using clay, making them blend seamlessly and appear as if they were made as one. Regardless of whether the pot is square or round, the rim of the lid and the rim of the mouth echo each other vertically and horizontally. The lid sitting on top of the mouth is also known…

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.

One cannot drink tea without tea ware, which refers to the specialized utensils used for brewing and drinking tea leaves, including pots, bowls, cups, trays, and saucers. The ancient Chinese were very particular about the artistry of their tea ware, which is another significant aspect of their tea-drinking culture. A set of exquisite tea ware paired with a fine tea that excels in color, fragrance, and taste can truly complement each other. As the custom of drinking tea grew in popularity and evolved over time, the variety of tea ware increased and the quality became more refined. At least ten types of tea ware are required for drinking Kung Fu tea. They are: First: Tea Pot In Chaozhou dialect, it is called "Chongguan," or sometimes "Su Guan," because it originates from Yixing, Jiangsu province, where the smallest type of Yixing clay pot is made. When selecting a tea pot, there are four criteria to consider: smallness, shallowness, evenness, and age. Tea pots come in various sizes, such as those suitable for two, three, four, or more people. Pots made by famous artisans like Mengchen, Tiehuaxuan, Qiupu, Epu, Xiaoshan, and Yuan Xisheng are highly prized. There are many shapes and sizes,…

The selection of tea utensils should take into account three factors: the occasion, the number of participants, and the type of tea. High-quality tea utensils paired with premium teas complement each other, enhancing the enjoyment of tea tasting. For example, for high-grade green tea, a clear glass cup without patterns or colors is recommended, as it not only suits the temperature needed for brewing green tea but also allows one to appreciate the color of the tea and the transformation of the leaves. For oolong tea, an elegant and rustic purple clay pot is ideal; for flower-scented tea, a lidded teacup that can retain fragrance and warmth is suitable. The choice of tea utensils also depends on the quality of the tea. For instance, for mid-range green tea with ordinary appearance, a porcelain pot would be chosen for brewing. The brewing utensils must be clean and intact, and when choosing them, attention should be paid to the coordination of colors, materials, and the harmony of the entire set of tea utensils. The arrangement of tea utensils should be logical, practical, and aesthetically pleasing, paying attention to the sense of hierarchy and the variation in lines. When setting up the utensils,…

 Tea ware, also known as tea utensils or tea apparatus in ancient times. The Tang Dynasty litterateur Pi Rixiu wrote in his poem “Cpu Family Forest Pavilion” about "the sparse osmanthus shadows moving over the tea ware." During the Song Dynasty, emperors gave "tea ware" as gifts. The Northern Song painter Wen Tong wrote in a poem, "Only with tea ware to appreciate the utmost seclusion." In the Yuan Dynasty, the painter Wang Mian wrote in the "Flute Playing Out of the Gorge" poem, "Wine pot and tea ware on top of the boat." Xu Ze, one of the four great painters known as the "Four Talents of Wu" during the early Ming Dynasty, wrote when inviting friends for evening tea and drinking, "Tea ware is still set up late at night; song pots are not knocked upon when sober." It is not difficult to see that whether poets from the Tang and Song dynasties or painters from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, their writings often contain verses about "tea ware," indicating that it is an integral part of tea culture. Within its narrow definition, tea ware refers to tea cups, teapots, tea bowls, tea cups, tea saucers, and tea…

The journey of nurturing a pot starts from the very first use, which can be considered the initial stage of 'pot nurturing'. To achieve a lustrous and smooth effect, it is essential to have not only a good quality pot but also to adopt the correct maintenance methods. Remember these three points in your daily tea brewing process: 1. Before Brewing Tea Rinse both inside and outside of the teapot with warm water to heat the pot, remove any musty odors, and sterilize it (pay attention to the temperature difference and use lukewarm water to avoid thermal shock). 2. During Brewing During each brewing interval, wipe off the tea water with a clean damp cloth (one with good absorbency) and then polish the pot body with a dry cloth (soft). Consistency will bring out a warm and lustrous texture. 3. After Brewing Tea After using the Yixing teapot to brew tea, clear out the tea leaves and tea water, then rinse the inside and outside of the pot with hot water. Do not use chemical cleaning agents; otherwise, you may confuse the natural aroma retained by the pot and affect its luster and texture. In addition to the daily routine,…

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.…