Choosing the Right Purple Clay Teapot for Green Tea

Picking the right purple clay teapot for green tea can be the icing on the cake; choose the wrong one, and you’ll just waste a good brew. Based on my own experience and discussions with fellow teapot enthusiasts, these key tips are essential to keep in mind.

I. Clay Material Selection

Green tea abhors being stewed. Once trapped in high temperatures, its fresh, brisk flavor will vanish instantly, and a bitter taste will emerge instead. Therefore, when selecting clay, duanni (section clay) and lünü (green clay) are the top choices, followed by zini (purple clay) and dicaozhi (bottom trough green clay).

Duanni and lünü are the “golden partners” for green tea. Their excellent air permeability allows heat to dissipate quickly after boiling water is poured in, preventing the tea leaves from staying in a high-temperature environment for too long. This not only enhances the tea’s aroma but also locks in the unique fresh and brisk taste of green tea.

If all you have on hand is a zini teapot, there’s no need to worry. Zini is highly versatile with various teas and boasts strong stability. What’s more, it resists tea stain buildup— the more you use it, the smoother and luster it becomes. It won’t distort the flavor of green tea, making it a reliable choice for beginners.

II. Teapot Shape Selection

Never choose a purple clay teapot with a small opening for green tea. Such teapots dissipate heat slowly, trapping the tea leaves inside so they can’t unfurl properly, and the flavor will definitely be compromised.

The best options are teapots with a wide opening, such as the classic Jinglan (Well Casing) teapot, Fanggu (Archaic-style) teapot, and Xubian (Flat Belly) teapot. These teapots share the common feature of a “wide mouth and spacious belly”. It’s easy to see the amount of tea leaves when adding them; after pouring water, the leaves can tumble and unfurl freely inside the pot, with heat dissipating rapidly— perfectly avoiding the pitfall of stewing the tea.

Capacity: 150–250 cc, Perfect for Daily Use

This capacity is ideal for 1–2 people’s daily drinking needs. It not only maintains the temperature and freshness of every sip but also prevents flavor deterioration caused by leftover tea sitting for too long. Whether you’re savoring tea alone or sharing a pot with a friend, you can enjoy the full charm of green tea just right.

May you also find that perfect purple clay teapot that complements your green tea, and savor the fresh briskness and poetic charm of life with every brew and every sip.