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Curing a Yixing tea pot.
The Traditional Method:
1) Place the teapot with lid uncovered in a cooking pot large enough to submerge
the entire teapot.
2) Place 3 Tbsp. of loose teas leaves in the water (preferably the same kind of
tea leaves which you plan to brew in your new teapot) and bring to a slow boil.
Rapid boiling may damage your teapot since the pieces may jostle together or
strike the walls of your cook ware.
3) Slow boil for about an hour. Let your teapot cool down in the pot with tea
water still covering the entire pot. Let it stand for a day.
4) The next day, take the teapot out and rub off any residue inside or outside
of your teapot. The residue is usually a pale white or beige color. Rinse well
with water only. Repeat steps 1 - 4.
Your tea pot is ready for use!
The quick method:
Fill your teapot with newly boiled water and allow the water to sit for 5 to 10
minutes. Drain the water. Fill the teapot a second time with newly boiled water
and add one teaspoon of your favorite loose tea leaves. Allow this tea to sit
for a period of 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the tea. Your Yixing tea pot is ready.
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Cleaning your Yixing tea pot.
Yixing clay has the unique and desirable
characteristic of absorbing the flavor of your tea. Never wash your Yixing
teapots with any detergents or cleaning agents or the pot may absorb the taste
of the soap. Rinsing with hot water after each use is sufficient. Air dry or pat
dry with soft. Leave the lid off until the pot is fully dried. Tea stains may
build up on your teapot after many uses. Don't worry about getting it off. This
actually adds to the value of your pot. Yixing collectors are always looking for
tea stains as this is one of the characteristics of a good antique teapot. Do
avoid dust or grease on your pot. Remember whatever the pot is exposed to is
likely to be absorbed by the clay and show up in the taste of your tea.
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