Often, teapot enthusiasts will send me pictures on WeChat asking, “Mr. Chen, how is the clay of this teapot? Is it good?”
When buying or enjoying Teapots, one must consider the quality of the clay. However, there are many different opinions about what constitutes good clay, and this can be confusing. Many people struggle with this issue. But if you love teapots, you will eventually have to face this question. It can be difficult, but at the same time, it can also be easy. No matter what type of clay is used, excellent clay will always have certain distinct features. For those of us who love, buy, and enjoy teapots, identifying these features is not too hard.
A good teapot should first look comfortable, with a natural and restrained luster. The luster of a purple Clay Teapot is referred to as having a “subdued glow,” meaning that its sheen is restrained and appears to emanate from within, very soft and pleasing to the eye. This matte finish is known in the industry as “water color,” and good clay will definitely have a fine water color.
When you gently stroke the surface of the teapot, you will find that good Purple Clay feels smooth and fine, with evenly distributed sand particles, without any roughness or slipperiness. Good Purple Clay teapots have a granular texture, uneven to the touch, but smooth when caressed. When you touch a Purple Clay teapot, it may feel a little dry when it first comes out of the kiln, which is normal. After it has been cared for, it will become as smooth as jade.
Good clay has excellent breathability.
Good clay has excellent breathability. In “The Catalogue of Superfluous Things,” there is a description of Purple Clay teapots: “Of all teapots, those made of Purple Clay are best, as they do not overpower the tea's aroma and do not give off an odor of stale water.” This “odor of stale water” refers to a sour smell. Ancient people cherished their tea and sometimes drank tea that had been left overnight, so the vessel used to brew the tea was crucial. If the breathability was poor, the tea would sour by the next day. The ancients discovered that when tea was brewed in a Purple Clay teapot, it did not spoil the next day and the tea remained clear and drinkable. I have conducted tests using high-quality zisha clay from Mount Yixing and found that Pu'er tea brewed in such a teapot remains fresh for three or four days. Therefore, the breathability of good Purple Clay is beyond doubt.
Speaking of breathability, we must mention Red Clay (Zhuni). Everyone knows that Red Clay does not have good breathability, which is due to the nature of the clay. Red Clay contracts significantly and has a high degree of crystallization, making it rather unique. However, if you use it to brew teas like Tieguanyin, which require the release of fragrance, it works very well. This does not depend on its breathability.
Good clay has strong playability.
Good clay has strong playability. This means that through regular use and care, the appearance of a good Purple Clay teapot becomes very attractive. As described in ancient texts, “With prolonged use, the teapot develops a subtle glow,” and “It is as warm and refined as a gentleman, as bold and heroic as a man… as reserved and luminous as a hermit, as carefree and elegant as a youth.”
The playability of Purple Clay refers to the changes that occur during the process of care and use.
Top-quality clay shows changes after each brewing:
Teapots made from aged clay and crafted by hand are the best. They are very easy to care for, and there are noticeable changes after each session. Over time, the effects become more pronounced, with an antique and refined appearance that rivals fine jade.
In summary, Purple Clay is indeed a magical material, and each type of raw ore has its own characteristics. Generally speaking, with the best clay, you don't need to wait one or two months, or even three or five days; you will see slight changes after the first care session.