A fine Teapot paired with a good tea makes for one of life's leisurely joys.
If a teapot is well-maintained, it will grow more beautiful over time. However, if not cared for properly during use, losing its luster as a zisha (purple clay) pot would be a great pity. It's essential to avoid the following six bad habits when maintaining your teapot.
Icy Heaven and Fiery Hell – Not Warming the Pot in Winter
The temperature difference in winter can be significant. If the room temperature is low, the teapot's body temperature will also be low. Pouring hot water directly onto the pot may cause cracking.
The Correct Approach: Preheat the pot with warm water before brewing tea. Even if it's not winter, after rinsing the pot with cold water, don't immediately brew tea or fill it with hot water to warm up. Instead, let it sit in a warm room temperature to acclimate, then preheat the pot before brewing tea.
02
Leaving Tea in the Pot and Calling it a Tea Mountain
The accumulation of tea residue on teapots and cups is referred to as a “tea mountain.” After drinking tea, simply rinsing the utensils will result in a thick layer of tea residue building up on the walls over time, which is said to reach a state where the pot exudes an aroma even without tea after several years.
The Right Understanding: Tea residue is not only detrimental to health but also affects the aesthetics of a zisha teapot.
03
Tea Leaves Paired at Will – Brewing Multiple Teas in One Pot
“A teapot should not serve two types of tea,” because tea nurtures the pot, and the pot enhances the tea. This is to preserve the subtle flavors and original essence of the tea, free from mixed aromas. The pure and refined experience is a joy that cannot be fully expressed to others.
Zisha teapots have a unique double-pore structure, which allows them to absorb flavors. Therefore, using the same pot for oolong one day, pu-erh the next, and Black Tea the day after will inevitably mix the flavors.
The Correct Approach: “Serve only one type of tea” to keep the tea flavor fresh and pure, which is beneficial for long-term teapot maintenance. Therefore, if possible, it is recommended to use one teapot for one type of tea.
If you really want to switch the type of tea, you can recondition the pot. Rinse the zisha teapot inside and out several times with hot water (pay attention to warming the pot if there is a large temperature difference). Rinse it multiple times with the new tea you wish to brew. When storing, place some dry tea leaves you plan to use later inside to ensure no residual taste from the previous tea remains.
Cleaning with Chemicals and Sun Drying Afterwards
To maintain your teapot well, frequent Tea drinking is correct, but regular cleaning and drying are necessary. Using rough cloths or steel wool to clean the pot for speed will scratch a fine teapot. To remove odors, using detergents with chemical components to clean a zisha teapot and then drying it in the sun will, over time, ruin the elegance of a finely crafted pot.
The Correct Approach: For pots that have developed mold or an odor, after removing the moldy and smelly tea residue, fill the pot with hot water, shake it slightly, and pour it out. Repeat this a few times to eliminate the odor.
Tea stains can be cleaned with baking soda and a soft brush. After cleaning the zisha teapot, it is best to let it air-dry naturally in a dry, ventilated area free of odors.
Exposing the pot to direct sunlight for extended periods can significantly affect the luster of the pot, especially for pots that have been maintained for a while. Excessive exposure can also damage the patina.
Purchasing a Teapot but Not Using It – Putting It Away on a Shelf
Before buying a teapot: Diligently clean and brew to develop a patina, enjoy three cups a day with joy.
After buying a teapot: Caring for the teapot is too troublesome, so put it away and use a large bowl instead.
The Right Understanding: Many novice teapot enthusiasts initially aspire to the joy of nurturing and savoring tea, but due to various reasons, they fail to care for their teapots properly. Utensils are meant to be used, not just displayed on shelves for viewing; otherwise, they will gradually lose their luster.
The daily maintenance and handling are the true joys of nurturing a teapot. Of course, if daily routines are busy and maintenance is inconvenient, using utensils made of easier-to-clean materials, such as Porcelain lids and glass teapots and cups, might be a better option.
Pouring Tea Over the Pot Without Wiping – Accumulating Tea Residue Over Time
Many teapot enthusiasts like to pour tea over the pot but do not wipe it appropriately. Over time, the pot will be covered by an uneven layer of tea residue, making its surface dull and unappealing.
Some people like to rub and play with the teapot with their hands, but it's important to keep your hands clean. Avoid using sweaty hands in summer and hands with skin care products in winter.
Good clay and fine craftsmanship make for a fine teapot. But to bring a zisha teapot to life, it needs a caring owner.
Of course, whether it's a zisha teapot or other utensils like porcelain, all tea wares serve people. If unsure about the maintenance method, seek multiple opinions and combine them with your own practical experience to gain insight.
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