It is the continuous transformation during daily use that attracts so many enthusiasts of Zisha teapots. This ongoing change is what we call “nourishing the pot.”
Many pot lovers are puzzled during this process. A good pot may show changes after only ten uses, but some enthusiasts have had no patina develop even after a year of use. What could be the reason for this?
Below, we mainly discuss several factors that determine the effect of nourishing a pot:
The quality of Zisha Clay itself
The quality of clay on the market varies greatly. Some chemical clays simply do not nourish and remain unchanged after one or two years. On the other hand, high-quality clay makes the pot very delicate; some can even feel the changes immediately when exposed to boiling water.
A Zisha Teapot's clay is fundamental; even with excellent craftsmanship, without good clay, it would be like building a castle in the air, unable to withstand scrutiny.
We often refer to Zisha clay as “original mountain, original mine,” which refers to Huanglong Mountain. Compared to clay from other areas such as Changxing and Anhui, original mine Zisha clay from Huanglong Mountain is easier to nourish.
Original Mountain Clay
Most original mountain clays are flaky sedimentary ores containing organic matter, and those with oiliness are better. Many ores from other regions are powdery or stone-like, mostly lacking oiliness.
This also determines the nourishment of your Zisha teapot. If there is no change after a long time, it may be clay from another region, not original mine Zisha.
A few Tea water baths can already make the pot noticeably smoother, so pot enthusiasts pay special attention to the clay and seek out original mine Zisha.
The technique of applying a burnishing tool
A burnishing tool is a tool used in Zisha production to scrape and press the surface of the raw pot, often made of buffalo horn, hence commonly known as: buffalo horn scraper.
Burnishing Tool (Buffalo Horn)
The burnishing tool does more than just smooth the surface of the Zisha pot; it also brings finer particles (commonly referred to as slurry) to the surface.
At the same firing temperature, a Zisha teapot with proper burnishing will have a higher degree of vitrification. Not only will the color be correct, but the body will also be stronger (less prone to breakage), and the characteristic of Zisha being breathable yet not permeable to water can be fully demonstrated.
Applying Burnishing
Several passes of burnishing compared to twenty passes is a completely different concept. With the same clay, the more burnishing, the easier it is to develop a patina.
Firing Temperature
Different clays require different firing temperatures, and some clays can produce different effects at various temperatures.
For example, Dicangqing can be fired into multiple colors. The firing temperature also affects the breathability of the Zisha teapot; generally, pots fired at lower temperatures have stronger breathability and are easier to nourish.
Tea Drinking Frequency
This is clear to everyone—the difference between three times a day and once every three days.
Type of Tea
Different types of tea will also have different effects on pot nourishment. Online, there are several different opinions, but personally, I believe that Tieguanyin, black tea, and Pu'er are all suitable for pot nourishment, for reference.
When there is no change even after a year of nourishing, it is more likely that there is an issue with the clay or the craftsmanship:
1. It is a slip-cast or wheel-thrown pot
These are made from extremely fine clay slurry mixed with water glass and, in a strict sense, lose the breathability of Zisha. Therefore, even if they are nourished, there will be little change.
2. Excessive Polishing
A Zisha teapot comes out of the kiln as it is, but some merchants polish it excessively for a glossy appearance. These kinds of Zisha teapots will not show significant changes when nourished.
I think the factors determining the effect of pot nourishment are related to the above points. The term “purple jade and golden sand” compares Zisha to beautiful jade, and the transformation from clay to jade is achieved through the process of pot nourishment.
When your beloved pot has been fondled and played with in your hands for a long time and finally reaches the patina stage, the visual enjoyment will fill you with a sense of accomplishment.
Source: Encyclopedia of Zisha Teapots. Information is valuable when shared. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us to remove.