The charm of purple clay tea sets.
As one of the representatives of traditional Chinese tea sets, purple - clay tea sets have been deeply loved by people from ancient times to the present. In ancient times, literati and refined scholars had a special preference for purple - clay tea sets and regarded them as bosom friends. They used purple clay as paper and inscribed poems or painted on purple - clay teapots, adding profound cultural connotations to them. In modern times, purple - clay tea sets are not only commonly seen in the studies of literati and refined scholars but also frequently appear in the daily lives of the general public. Whether in the rest corner of an office or on the tea table at home, purple - clay tea sets exude unique charm.
From a practical point of view, purple - clay tea sets have many advantages. First of all, they can preserve the color, aroma, and taste of tea. They do not affect the tea fragrance, do not cause the problem of over - or under - boiling flavor, and the tea in them will not go bad overnight. This is due to the special structure of the purple - clay material. Its sponge - like porous structure ensures the exchange of gas and moisture, allowing the tea in the purple - clay teapot to maintain its original flavor. Secondly, purple - clay tea sets have good resistance to sudden changes in temperature. They conduct heat slowly and have good heat preservation properties, so there is no scalding feeling when using them. Moreover, the body of a purple - clay teapot can absorb the aroma of tea. Even without tea leaves, the water in it has a tea fragrance. In addition, the color of the purple - clay tea set will change according to the type of tea frequently brewed, making the color of the teapot rich in variety and quite thought - provoking.
From an artistic point of view, purple - clay tea sets have diverse shapes. "Square ones are not of the same pattern, and round ones have no identical appearance." There are plump and thick round ones, delicate and beautiful ones, simple and reserved ones, small and free - and - easy ones, simple and elegant ones, and naturally interesting ones. Good purple - clay teapots are also engraved with poems, painted with calligraphy and paintings, and inlaid with gold and silver, showing luxury within elegance. They have extremely high ornamental value. Whether they are round - shaped, square - shaped, flower - shaped, or ribbed - shaped, they all demonstrate the exquisite skills and unique creativity of purple - clay craftsmen throughout the ages.
At the same time, purple - clay tea sets also have collection value. A well - made purple - clay teapot by a famous master is often a perfect combination of artworks and practical utensils and has high collection value. In the market, there may even be a phenomenon of "clay being as valuable as gold", and it is really hard to obtain such a teapot.
In short, with its practical functions, artistic value, and collection value, purple - clay tea sets have become one of the favorite tea sets among people. They are not only good helpers for making tea but also an important carrier for inheriting Chinese traditional culture.
The Benefits of Brewing Tea with Purple - clay Tea Sets
(1) Rich and Lasting Tea Aroma
Purple - clay teapots have small spouts, tight - fitting lids, and relatively rough inner walls. This unique design effectively prevents the aroma from dissipating too early. In a purple - clay teapot that has been used for a long time, a layer of brown - red tea stain will form on the inner wall. The longer it is used, the more tea stain will accumulate on the inner wall. Because of this, the tea soup becomes more mellow, rich, and fragrant after brewing tea. Even without tea leaves, just pouring boiling water into the pot can still produce an alluring tea aroma, which is difficult for ordinary tea sets to achieve. According to statistics, more than 80% of veteran tea enthusiasts have said that after brewing tea with a purple - clay teapot, the intensity and duration of the tea aroma are significantly higher than those of other tea sets.
(2) Health - promoting
Brewing tea with purple - clay teapots is healthy. This is because purple - clay tea sets have no additives during the tea - brewing process and can maintain the authentic taste of the tea soup. Moreover, purple clay contains minerals and a high iron content, which can regulate the body's endocrine system and the levels of blood lipids, blood sugar, and cholesterol, reduce liver fire, and assist the stomach in filtering urea and other functions. Purple - clay teapots have good air permeability but are impermeable to water. They can keep the aromatic oils in tea leaves from volatilizing when heated to form a fragrance, increase the late - stage acidity of the tea soup, and have astringent and antibacterial effects. For example, when purple - clay teapots are used to brew tea for a long time, the tea water is less likely to become moldy or spoil, which is beneficial to human health.
(3) Stylish and Graceful
Purple - clay teapots have a rich and diverse range of shapes, including four main categories: round, square, flower - shaped, and ribbed. Each category has its unique charm, with fine workmanship and high cultural connotations and artistic values. On the tea table, an exquisite purple - clay teapot can instantly attract envious glances from everyone. Whether it's a small gathering with friends or a business negotiation, using a purple - clay teapot to brew tea can demonstrate the host's taste and temperament.
(4) Full of Fun
There are various purple - clay materials and numerous techniques. There are not only tea sets of different shapes but also cute tea pets. After long - term use, a unique bond will form between the teapot and its owner. Moreover, with the extension of the use time, the teapot body itself will undergo subtle changes, with its color gradually changing, adding endless fun to tea lovers. For example, some tea enthusiasts will find that the color of their purple - clay teapots becomes more warm and smooth after a period of use, as if they have come to life.
(5) Understanding the Characteristics of Tea
Purple - clay teapots are one of the most suitable tea sets for tea. They can maintain the original flavor of tea and prevent the tea aroma from dispersing. The tea soup is bright, without a metallic rusty taste, and does not change flavor overnight. At the same time, purple - clay teapots have excellent resistance to sudden changes in temperature. Even if they are steamed at a high temperature of over 100 degrees Celsius and then quickly placed in ice and snow below zero, they will not burst. This characteristic enables purple - clay teapots to provide tea lovers with a high - quality tea - brewing experience in various environments.
(6) Antibacterial and Heat - retaining
Purple - clay teapots have a certain antibacterial effect. This is because after brewing tea for a long time, there is a certain tea acidity left on the teapot body, which can inhibit the growth rate of bacteria. In addition, purple - clay teapots have good heat - retaining properties. Compared with porcelain and glassware, purple - clay teapot materials themselves have many pores. Heat conducts very poorly in a vacuum, so the heat - retaining effect is better. Data shows that purple - clay teapots can retain heat 20% to 30% longer than porcelain and glassware.
(7) Good Air Permeability
Purple - clay teapots are made of a porous material with a dual - pore structure. The pores are fine and the density is high. This structure gives them very good air permeability. When brewing tea, it can allow the aroma and taste of tea leaves to be released more fully, maintaining the original taste and nutritional value of the tea leaves. For example, when boiling water is poured into a dry purple - clay teapot, small bubbles can be seen in the pot, and even a "sizzling" sound can be heard.
(8) Extraordinary Value
Purple - clay teapots made of good clay have high collection value. As the reputation of the teapot maker increases, the appreciation space will also become larger. In the market, a well - made purple - clay teapot by a famous master often commands a high price. Some are even as valuable as gold, and it is really hard to obtain one. It is understood that the prices of some early famous - maker purple - clay teapot works have repeatedly reached new highs in the auction market.
Comprehensive advantages of purple clay tea sets.
Purple - clay tea sets stand out among numerous tea - making utensils with their unique charm and excellent performance. They are hard in texture, resistant to both cold and heat. When making tea, there is no over - boiled taste, and they can preserve the original flavor of the tea. This characteristic makes them the top choice for tea lovers.First of all, purple - clay tea sets have diverse styles and variable shapes. They are not only deeply loved by Chinese people but also highly praised by international friends. From round - shaped ones to square - shaped ones, from ribbed ones to flower - and - sculpture ones, each type has its own unique features and is a feast for the eyes. Whether it's the simple and elegant round - shaped ones, the upright and straight square - shaped ones, the well - contoured ribbed ones, or the vivid flower - and - sculpture ones, all of them demonstrate the exquisite skills and unique creativity of purple - clay craftsmen.Secondly, purple - clay tea sets have health - care functions. Purple - clay mud contains various minerals and trace elements such as iron and calcium. During the tea - making process, these substances will gradually dissolve in water and be absorbed by the human body, which can supplement the body's nutrients. Regularly using purple - clay teapots to make tea has certain benefits for human health and can also play a role in preventing osteoporosis. In addition, because purple - clay teapots have an adsorption capacity, after brewing and drinking tea with tea leaves in them, they can also remove some odors.Furthermore, purple - clay tea sets are an environmentally - friendly type of tea - making utensils. During the production process, purple - clay tea sets do not require the use of any chemical substances. They are completely made of natural purple - clay mud, having no impact on human health. At the same time, when discarded, purple - clay tea sets can decompose naturally and will not cause pollution to the environment.Finally, purple - clay tea sets have high collection value. With the decrease in purple - clay mines, the value of purple - clay works will naturally increase. Moreover, it takes a long time to make a fully - hand - made purple - clay tea set. Especially for some purple - clay tea sets with high difficulty, the yield rate is also very low. And the number of contemporary famous purple - clay teapot makers is not large, which results in a very high appreciation space for famous - maker purple - clay teapots.In short, with its comprehensive advantages such as hard texture, resistance to cold and heat, diverse styles, health - care functions, environmental - friendliness, and collection value, purple - clay tea sets have become one of the favorite tea - making utensils among people. They are not only good helpers for making tea but also an important carrier for inheriting Chinese traditional culture.
