October 25, 2023
by Diana Rosen
Nothing is as elegant as a finely crafted
Yixing teapot, and few pots brew tea better. They’re an investment in beauty and utility, and with proper care, provide endless pleasure in tea drinking, possibly for generations. To ensure the longevity of your Yixing teapot, it’s critical to season it properly, dedicate each pot to only one type of tea, and clean and store it safely.
A few simple tools make this easy: a soft-bristled teapot brush for clearing leaves out from the spout or pot, several fine cotton or linen dish towels for drying, and a soft terrycloth to set out the pot and lid to dry. It’s best to dedicate these tools to your Yixing pot so that they’re never contaminated with food or other beverages that could contaminate the pot.
Dedicate Each Yixing Pot to Only One Tea Type
Because of its porous nature, the clay used for Yixing ware easily absorbs the scent of tea, so it’s important to first determine which tea to dedicate to each pot; make no exceptions. For example, if you brew puerh, never brew an oolong in that same pot, nor a black; only puerh.
The shape of a pot can be beneficial to the brewing process. Teas needing room to expand, such as pellet teas or rolled and twisted leaves, work best with a round teapot. For black tea, choose a pot with a small spout and thick walls. Dark oolongs and large-leaf black teas brew best in teapots that are taller. Dark teas requiring longer brewing times, brew best in teapots with thick walls and flat bottoms. Ripe puerh benefits from a teapot with thick walls and high porosity; raw puerh needs medium to low porosity and walls that are thinner.
These are just suggestions. Choose the pot you love.
How to Season Your Yixing Teapot
Seasoning is a must. The process takes a one-time effort that ensures a lifetime (or several) of tea-drinking pleasure. Allow about an hour.
Place a terrycloth or linen dish towel in the bottom of a deep, heavy pan. Gently put your teapot on one side and the lid on the other side of the pan. Pour cold water on both parts until they are submerged under water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer gently for 30 minutes. This sterilizes the teapot and removes any wax used to coat the clay. Single-serving pots can be sterilized in less time, about 10-15 minutes. Using both hands, protected by a clean towel, remove the pot and lid from the water and set them on the counter to cool completely.
Next, brew the type of tea dedicated to this pot. Add 4 teaspoons of loose tea leaves to the pot, fill with boiling water then cover with its lid. Steep until both tea and pot are cool, about 20 minutes.
Empty the teapot of the liquor and remove the tea leaves. Rinse the pot thoroughly. Brew again in the same way with fresh leaves. Steep again until tea and pot are cool then discard liquor and leaves. Rinse the pot thoroughly with cool water and set out the lid and pot separately to dry. Check for any small spots of moisture. Use a clean towel to blot dry them completely.
How to Clean Your Yixing Teapot:
Rinse the teapot thoroughly after each use with water only.
NEVER USE SOAP, EVER. Its oily residues will be absorbed by the clay and taint the tea forever.
With a delicate teapot brush, gently sweep away any leaves, including inside the spout. When all the leaves are discarded, rinse again, then turn the pot upside down and place carefully on a dish rack or soft towel. Place the lid upside down, and separate from the pot to dry. Water residue can cause mold or taint the flavor of your next brew.
NOTE: No need to toss tea liquor or leaves; extend their life by feeding both to composts or plants indoors or out in the garden.
How to Store Your Yixing Teapot:
Before storing the pot, check it again thoroughly for any moisture and use a soft cloth to gently blot the spots dry. Place the pot away from direct sunlight or moisture, preferably in a sturdy cabinet, far enough away from other teapots or cups to avoid them touching one another. This helps prevent breakage or cracking. Wrapping the pot in a soft cloth or using its original box may also prevent scratches. Do not stack anything on top of a teapot except its lid.
These small gestures, over time, will preserve your pot, create a luxurious patina, and add beauty to your tea-drinking experience.
