Teaware

 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…

Last July, collector Liu Yiqian purchased the “Meiyintang Collection Ming Dynasty Chenghua Imperial Chicken Cup” for HK$280 million and, in his excitement, used it to take a sip of Pu'er tea. This most expensive sip of tea in history has been the subject of much discussion. "The emperor's wine goblet, the tycoon's teacup." Today we will talk about this priceless "Chicken Cup." The Chicken Cup was originally an exquisite wine vessel and served as the personal wine cup of the Ming Dynasty Chenghua Emperor. It has a flared rim, shallow belly, and a splayed foot. The cup is decorated with a doucai painting of roosters, hens, and chicks, interspersed with rocks, orchids, and peonies, hence the name Chicken Cup. The doucai Chicken Cup from the Ming Chenghua period once enjoyed great fame. Every dynasty during the Qing era produced imitations, with those made during the Kangxi and Yongzheng reigns being the best, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. The Qing dynasty author Zhu Yan wrote in his book Ceramics Lore: "The best products of the Cheng kiln were the five-colored wares, and among wine cups, the Chicken Cup was the finest. During the reign of the Wanli Emperor, a single…

Many newcomers to the tea ceremony often ask, what type of tea ware is suitable for beginners? Here's a small suggestion: when starting your tea journey, consider beginning with acquiring a host cup. So, what is a host cup? By definition, it's a cup specifically used by the host, distinct from those used by guests. It's a cup that represents your taste and personality on the tea table. There's a well-known saying in tea circles: "Without a personal cup, there's no complete tea session." On the tea table, you can often see that the cup used by the person brewing tea (the host) is different from the cups used by the guests. If you pay close attention, you'll notice that the host cup tends to be somewhat more exquisite than the cups used by guests. This article will introduce host cups based on their characteristics and types. How does a host cup reveal the host? A host cup can generally give an idea about the host's identity, taste, and preferences. Host cups come in various materials and designs, some featuring painted or carved patterns such as flowers, birds, mountains, and streams. The owner of such a cup usually has artistic…

I once saw a so-called "expert" on TV imparting his experience, saying that if you remove the lid of a purple clay teapot and place it upside down on the table, and the spout, rim, and handle are in line, then it's a good teapot (this has misled many enthusiasts; this is related to the height of the spout and handle, not directly related to the quality of the teapot). If we were to select purple clay teapots based on this criterion, many national-level artisans and masters would be out of work. Don't be misled by such so-called experts! Misguided Tip Two Regarding the alignment of the three points. Some people strictly adhere to this standard and use a ruler to measure, deeming the teapot faulty if there's even a half-millimeter difference. This is overly nitpicky and would drive the artisans making purple clay teapots to the brink of madness. Misguided Tip Three Believing that when pouring tea, not a single drop should flow down along the spout. A severe drip is unacceptable, but being too extreme is also nitpicking. Many teapots cannot prevent dripping due to their overall shape (for example, the Shipiao or Hengshui styles), so a comprehensive…

1. After drinking tea, remember to dispose of the tea leaves and thoroughly clean both the inside and outside of the teapot. Note that when using a new teapot, remove any wax, oil, dirt, and tea scale from its surface. 2. If you find there is tea scale on your teaware, squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the teaware, then spread it evenly over the surface with your hand or a cotton swab. After about one minute, rinse the teaware with water. 3. Chop up some potato and put it in the cup, pour boiling water into the cup and let it sit for about 10 minutes. The tea scale will then be easy to wash off. Potatoes contain starch which has strong absorption properties, making it easy to remove the scale from the cup. 4. Place a small spoonful of orange powder or orange juice inside the teacup or teapot, fill it with water, and leave it for 2-3 hours. This makes the tea scale detach from the teaware, making it easier to remove. Different cleaning tools are used for different types of teaware materials 1. To remove tea scale from metal tea strainers, if the metal tea…

A teapot enthusiast asked the other day, "Why are purple clay teapots called purple clay teapots?" What does the term "clay" specifically refer to in this context, and what role does it play within the teapot? 1: What Exactly Does the Term "Clay" Refer to in Purple Clay? 1. Quartz particles (as shown by the white dots in the image below). This is according to academic sources; 2. The physical cohesion of purple clay, as per experienced potters. When discussing these concepts with others, it's essential first to clarify which definition you're using. Otherwise, conversations can become heated, with experienced potters criticizing academics for not understanding the craft and academics regarding potters as ignorant. The "double porosity structure" of purple clay is closely related to its quartz content. The "purple" refers to color, while the "clay" denotes its nature. When a purple clay teapot breaks, you can examine its fractured surface to clearly discern its unique structure. During firing, carbonate ions decompose, releasing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, forming bubbles. These bubbles can be interconnected or isolated, creating a dense "chain-like cluster of pores" that open up, or they can become trapped between quartz and silicate particles, preventing interconnection and…

The tea of the Song Dynasty favored white, while the tea wares were revered for their black-glazed bowls, unique in history. Silver-threaded hare's fur, shimmering with brilliance; paper-cut decorations, vivid and lifelike; partridge splashed, with spots that change in light. The clear black and white contrast between the black-glazed bowl and the tea highlights the beauty of the foam. The Song Dynasty revered Daoism, and the white tea in black vessels embodied the principles of Yin and Yang. The Jian kiln, located in the area of Houjing and Chizhong Village, Shuigai Town, Jianyang County, Fujian Province, is renowned for its production of black porcelain. The Jian kiln was one of the major kilns during the Song Dynasty, initially established in the late Tang and Five Dynasties period, primarily producing celadon. By the Song Dynasty, a cluster of kilns emerged in Jianyang, with 99 long dragon kilns, producing a large quantity of black porcelain. Jian ware can be categorized into six main types based on the glaze patterns: Ujim (dark blue-black), hare's fur, oil spot, partridge, iridescent, and miscellaneous colors. Hare's Fur Bowl A hare's fur bowl features fine brownish-yellow or rust-colored thread-like streaks on a black glaze surface, resembling hare's…

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…

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…

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

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,…

A few days ago, a tea enthusiast asked me: how to select a purple clay pot for brewing Pu'er? I will share some common knowledge regarding this topic today. Pot Capacity On this issue, everyone's opinion is relatively consistent. The capacity of the purple clay pot used for brewing Pu'er tea is generally larger than that used for brewing Oolong tea. This is because the leaves of Yunnan large-leaf tea are relatively large. A larger pot allows the leaves to fully expand and release their intrinsic substances. On the other hand, small pots are preferred for Oolong tea to extract its aroma, so the pot cannot be large. A pot of about 180 milliliters (ml) to 200 ml is generally suitable for brewing Pu'er. Of course, a larger pot can also be chosen depending on the number of people drinking. ▲ Qin Quan Pot, No. 4 Well Composite Ore, 300 cc 02 Pot Shape Selection A pot with a large neck and full ear bucket is suitable for brewing Pu'er tea. The water outlet must be good, with a straight spout, and a sword spout is best. The lid opening should not be too small, as a small opening is…

Believe it or not, most of us have had the experience of keeping pets from a young age. When we were little, our parents were usually the main caretakers, so our experience was more about having fun. Later on, when you became financially independent, you had more options for pets—cats, dogs, fish, birds, and so on—but how many successful experiences did you have in raising them? A tea lover's pet is an emotional bond, different from typical pets, as a tea pet can truly be kept without being discarded or abandoned. The pet of a tea lover is known as a tea pet. A tea pet, as its name suggests, is nurtured with tea water. It is actually a small handicraft made of purple clay or yellow mud, such as elephants, turtles, toads, Pixiu, pigs, and so on. Different tea pets carry different meanings; some symbolize wealth and contentment, while others represent happiness and good fortune. People collect them according to their preferences and place them on their tea tables. A beautiful tea pet is one that a tea lover spends time and effort slowly "cultivating." When drinking tea, a tea lover gently waters their pet with tea or brushes…

Normally, when we drink tea, we do so at our leisure, not caring whether different types of tea require water of different temperatures or how much tea to put in. If you want a better tea drinking experience, these issues cannot be ignored. Different water temperatures and different amounts of tea can greatly affect the taste of the tea. 1. Water Temperature When boiling water for tea, use a strong fire to bring it to a rapid boil; do not use a slow fire to simmer the water. Water that has just boiled is ideal for brewing tea, producing a fragrant and tasty brew. If the water boils for too long, as the ancients called it, "old water." At this point, the carbon dioxide dissolved in the water has mostly evaporated, and the freshness and briskness of the tea are significantly reduced. In general, the water temperature used for brewing tea is positively related to the solubility of effective substances from the tea leaves in the water. The higher the water temperature, the greater the solubility and the stronger the tea soup; conversely, the lower the water temperature, the smaller the solubility and the lighter the tea soup. Generally, the…

Caring for a pot is like cultivating one’s character; both are long processes. While savoring tea, you also nurture the pot, and in doing so, you also cultivate your own nature. Here are six key points to caring for your pot: New Pot Initial Care After purchasing a new pot, wash off any surface dust and inner clay debris with water or a cloth. Then brew several infusions of tea in the pot and let the residual heat steep the pot until the tea cools slightly. Repeat this process to remove any earthy taste from the new pot and provide it with its first nourishment. After completing these steps, clean the new pot and it will be ready for use. Brewed Tea Nourishment Whether new or old, take the example of brewing black tea. After making tea with boiling water, use the lid to gently skim off any foam that appears at the mouth of the pot. Close the lid for about one to two minutes. Pour the tea from the pot into a decanter with a tea strainer, then distribute the tea from the decanter into individual aroma cups or tasting cups. Pour the tea from the small cups…

 It is often said that nurturing a purple clay teapot requires dedication. But how should one go about it? And where to begin? Here are seven aspects, commonly referred to as the "Seven Hearts" of teapot care. Happy Heart: Treat it as an interest in your life. It can enrich your free time and help you learn more about Chinese traditional culture. Approach the art of purple clay with a positive attitude, leading a simple yet fulfilling life. Cautious Heart: Be mindful to prevent knocks and bumps. Purple clay teapots are valuable, and any damage can significantly decrease their worth. Besides the financial loss, seeing a damaged teapot, even after repair, can be distressing. Calm Heart: Avoid being hasty or impatient. One day external care, the next internal care, one day Oolong tea, the next black tea, will not yield good results. Personally, I believe that nurturing a teapot is a process, the main focus being on enjoying the experience and the sense of achievement as the teapot changes. Ordinary Heart: No matter its value, every purple clay teapot has practical use. Do not neglect a less expensive pot, treating it casually. Purple clay, even if abundant, is a non-renewable…

Tang Dynasty tea utensils During the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, people across the country, regardless of their religious beliefs, made drinking tea a part of daily life. It was during this time that tea culture developed and the production of tea utensils entered an upward trajectory. This stimulated the production of Tang Dynasty ceramics, and places that produced tea also promoted the development of local kilns. Yuezhou, Shouzhou, Wuzhou, and Qiongzhou were all known for both abundant tea and ceramic production. Due to differences in social status, people's pursuit of the use value and cultural value of tea utensils varied. The imperial court favored luxurious utensils made of gold, silver, jade, and other precious materials. Commoners, on the other hand, preferred utensils that were economical, practical, and aesthetically pleasing, mainly using ceramic tea sets. Tea Bowls According to archaeological records, Tang Dynasty porcelain bowls have been unearthed in many regions across the country. Although these bowls from different kilns had distinct regional characteristics, they shared one common feature: they all produced wide-mouthed bowls with slim bases and a flat bottom resembling a jade disc. In "The Classic of Tea – Chapter Four: Utensils," Lu Yu…

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…

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…

The Song Dynasty was an era of cultural rationalism, advocating a philosophy of aesthetics that favored naturalness, restraint, simplicity, and plainness. People pursued elegance and simplicity in ceramic shapes, shunned excessive decoration, preferred the tranquil and elegant colors of glazes, and valued the aesthetic principle of natural spontaneity. The Jian zhan features an elegant shape, a rustic body, and a lustrous glaze like stars, perfectly embodying the Song Dynasty's aesthetic of unity between heaven and humanity. 1. Characteristics of the Flaring Mouth Jian Zhan The Jian zhan is characterized by its graceful and elegant shapes. The most representative form is the flaring mouth zhan, which has an outwardly sloping rim, a constricted mouth, a slightly curved belly, an inward tapering at the base, and a shallow foot ring. About 1 to 1.5 cm below the rim, there is a shallow concave groove that runs around the inside, giving the overall shape a "V"-shaped line. We know that when two inclined lines are arranged in this way, they create a sense of mutual repulsion and tension, giving the viewer an impression of spaciousness and openness. Moreover, this "V"-shaped line creates a strong contrast in volume, with a large volume at the…

  Seals and Markings on Purple Clay Teapots The markings (seal impressions) on purple clay teapots serve as important evidence for identifying their age and the maker's name. These are also the sole basis for valuation in the cultural relic, antiques, and auction industries. As a result, they are the easiest place for forgers to manipulate. Throughout history, skilled purple clay artisans and masters have been meticulous about using seals and marking their works. Their seal impressions not only demonstrate high artistic standards but also exhibit strict attention to detail in terms of seal layout and form, which is a critical factor in authenticating these marks. Generally, the marks of renowned artisans feature the following characteristics: Seal production is highly refined. The seals used by famous artisans are either made by themselves or commissioned from renowned seal engravers, showcasing a certain level of artistry. In contrast, counterfeit seals lack this quality, often appearing lifeless. The use of seals is appropriately stylized. Some artists may use two or more seals with different styles on a single teapot, carefully positioning them to achieve an overall harmonious appearance. The placement of inscriptions and seals is appropriate. The marks on purple clay teapots typically…