A tea connoisseur’s treasures are not merely for display, but for use and ‘nurturing’. For those who play with string bracelets, ‘everything can be polished’, and for tea enthusiasts, it seems that ‘everything can be nurtured’. Tea utensils made of clay or purple sand material will deepen in color and become more lustrous under the nourishment of tea water. Teapots, tea cups, and tea pets are the most common items on the tea table; how should each be nurtured?
Nurturing Teapots: There are various methods for nurturing teapots, but the basic principles are the same, which can be summarized in six points: ① Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the pot ② Avoid contact with grease ③ Moisten the pot surface with tea juice ④ Moderately brush with a teapot brush ⑤ Clean and dry after use ⑥ Allow the pot to rest. It may seem cumbersome and daunting, but it can be done seamlessly by developing good habits in the details of daily use.
How to maintain a Zisha cup? 1. During brewing, first ‘moisten the cup’ by pouring boiling water over the cup’s body and then filling it with water. As you savor the tea, the cup’s body becomes increasingly smooth and shiny due to the nourishment of the tea water. 2. Regardless of whether it is a new or old cup, it should be cleaned often and wiped with hands or soft cloth, which is beneficial for the moistening and smoothness of the Zisha clay. Over time, this will also foster an emotional connection between the cup’s owner and the cup, adding endless interest to the tea tasting experience. 3. After using the Zisha cup, immediately discard the tea leaves and wash the cup with hot water to maintain cleanliness inside the cup. It is best not to leave the tea leaves in the cup for a long time, especially not to store them in the cup to ‘nourish’ the cup when the temperature is high. In summary, to maintain the cup using this method, one must grasp the right degree, ensuring that the tea water does not spoil. 4. If an old cup that has not been used for a long time develops an odd smell, before using it again, fill it with boiling water, rinse, shake several times to pour out the water, and then immediately immerse the cup in cold water to eliminate the odor. Tea Pet Care: How to properly care for Zisha tea pets to make them spirited? 1. Be genuine. First, you must enjoy this activity and love your own tea pet to be able to appreciate and care for it meticulously; 2. Some impatient people, for convenience, soak the tea pet in tea water or pour leftover tea water on it vigorously. These are incorrect methods of care, resulting in a ‘monk’s sheen’ that lacks spirit. The correct method is to gently pour tea water over the tea pet and then use a tea brush dipped in tea soup to apply it, or gently wipe with a tea cloth. 3. If possible, use the same type of tea to care for the tea pet to prevent it from losing its pure color due to contact with different textures of tea. Generally, black tea, Dahongpao, and Pu’er tea can yield results more quickly in caring for tea pets. 4. Tea pets are usually placed in the upper left quarter area of the tea tray in front of us, in a small row. Beautiful tea pets are the result of tea enthusiasts spending time and thought to ‘cultivate’ them.
