STEP 1Before using your prized yixing teapot, checked how whether the air vent is clear of blockage. Test the flow of water and if it is not smooth, clear the holes inside the spout of any debris. Finally examined whether there are clay deposits within the teapot, which if present can be easily removed by scrapping it with a wooden or bamboo piece.
STEP 2
Boil a pot of water and place the teapot into the water carefully. Boil it for 30 to 40 minutes. Removed the teapot and soak it in a basin of warm water for a few minutes and then let it air dry.
Boil a pot of water and place the teapot into the water carefully. Boil it for 30 to 40 minutes. Removed the teapot and soak it in a basin of warm water for a few minutes and then let it air dry.
STEP 3
Now place some tea leaves (any tea leaves will do) into the previously boiled pot of water and together with the teapot boiled it for an hour. Rinse the teapot and let it air dry naturally.
Now place some tea leaves (any tea leaves will do) into the previously boiled pot of water and together with the teapot boiled it for an hour. Rinse the teapot and let it air dry naturally.
STEP 4
Before using the teapot, determine which tea leaves you are gonna brew in it. Do not brew different kind of tea leaves in the same teapot. Yixing clay are very porous that’s why it is such a good vessel for brewing tea as it able to retain the as well as trap tea particles in these pores. With frequent usage, more and more tea particles are trap and every time you brew tea, fragrance is released which when mixed with the current brew makes the tea taste better than if it was brewed in a new teapot.
After you have determine the tea to use for this teapot, do not start using the teapot yet, but use it as a “gong-dao” (justice) pot where tea is poured into it before being poured into tea cups.
Before using the teapot, determine which tea leaves you are gonna brew in it. Do not brew different kind of tea leaves in the same teapot. Yixing clay are very porous that’s why it is such a good vessel for brewing tea as it able to retain the as well as trap tea particles in these pores. With frequent usage, more and more tea particles are trap and every time you brew tea, fragrance is released which when mixed with the current brew makes the tea taste better than if it was brewed in a new teapot.
After you have determine the tea to use for this teapot, do not start using the teapot yet, but use it as a “gong-dao” (justice) pot where tea is poured into it before being poured into tea cups.
STEP 5
Every time you brew tea, use the teapot as “gong-dao” pot and always pour the first infusion (which we normally discart) over the exterior of the teapot. If possible, reserved the last infusion (which is already diluted) to rinse the exterior of the teapot. This enables the tea oil to stain the exterior of the teapot and helps patina to grow.
Every time you brew tea, use the teapot as “gong-dao” pot and always pour the first infusion (which we normally discart) over the exterior of the teapot. If possible, reserved the last infusion (which is already diluted) to rinse the exterior of the teapot. This enables the tea oil to stain the exterior of the teapot and helps patina to grow.
STEP 6At the end of each session, fill the teapot with used tea leaves and water and leave it overnight or even till the next session. Before the next session, clear the tea leaves and repeat Step 5 again. The teapot should be ready for brewing after 3 months.
STEP 7
When you start brewing tea with this teapot, always rinsed the teapot (from cap down) with the first infusion. At the end of a session, use a tea cloth to wipe and polish the exterior surface of the teapot. Continue doing it for another 3 months and I guarantee that a rich patina will grow on the surface of the teapot.
Your teapot will start to look lovely and somehow you can swear that the clay seems very much different compared to when you first bought the teapot.
The above is what tea connoisseurs meant when they say “yang hu” or “cultivating a teapot”. Enjoy yourself!
When you start brewing tea with this teapot, always rinsed the teapot (from cap down) with the first infusion. At the end of a session, use a tea cloth to wipe and polish the exterior surface of the teapot. Continue doing it for another 3 months and I guarantee that a rich patina will grow on the surface of the teapot.
Your teapot will start to look lovely and somehow you can swear that the clay seems very much different compared to when you first bought the teapot.
The above is what tea connoisseurs meant when they say “yang hu” or “cultivating a teapot”. Enjoy yourself!
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