If you already know that a purple clay teapot is needed to bring you a wonderful tea time, the problem is: how do you choose the best teapot for you? This article will show you some basics, and make you an expert when picking a purple clay teapot.

There are three different categories that you should think about when picking a purple clay teapot: how practical it is, what the level handiwork is, and what materials it consists of.

Function: How can it be used?

1. Right volume: How many people would you usually like to drink tea with? If the answer is not more than five, a purple clay teapot with a capacity around 300-400 milliliters is best. Generally, purple clay teapots are much smaller than coffee pots, because the Chinese sip tea slowly and gracefully. You should carefully enjoy each small mouthful of tea, and let it ease your mind. Plus, tea flavors and aromas tend to come out best in a small pot.

2. Proper height: Tall and short, teapots with different heights may be used to brew different kinds of tea. If you often drink green tea, select a shorter pot. That’s because tall pots give the steam and fragrances space to dissipate, so you may miss out on the strong smell of green tea. And if you prefer black tea, you’d better buy a taller pot to get the best brew.

3. Big mouth: At the end of your tea time, remember to empty your teapot in a timely manner so no mold or tea stains will develop in it. It is a nuisance to pull the soppy tea leaves out of a small-mouthed purple clay teapot. To save the trouble, choose a pot with a relatively large opening on top.

4. Smooth pour: As you pour a cup of tea, the flow running out of the spout should be smooth and form a curved line, with no splash or stray drops. When you want to stop pouring, the flow should end at once, with no liquid dribbling off the edge. So be wary of spouts that look too short or have excess clay protruding out on the inside. And it should be easy to pour all of the water completely out of the pot, so no old tea lingers inside.

Look at workmanship, a good pot is always perfectly handmade

A perfectly handmade purple clay teapot is can be called a work of art. It usually takes a master potter weeks or even months to finish just one piece. You can estimate the true value of a purple clay teapot by evaluating the craftsmanship.

1. Placing it in the kiln: When a craftsman has shaped the purple clay into his design, he will send it into a kiln to be fired at 1,200 degrees Celsius. The pot will not deform in the process, but it must be watched by an experienced potter to avoid over-firing. Fortunately, we have a simple way to judge whether the degree of firing was appropriate or not. Tap the pot with its lid, and listen carefully to the sound. If it makes a harmonious ring, then the pot was fired for the right amount of time. A sound that’s too shallow or bland shows the firing was incorrectly done.

2. ‘Three Points One Line’: To guarantee a great flow from a purple clay teapot, each potter must carefully place the button, spout, and handle in perfect alignment. When shaping a pot, even a moment of inattention may cause a major defect. So as a shrewd customer, you should pay attention to this rule as well.

3. Airtight lid: The lid should fit tight, preferably airtight, on top of the pot. This is so heat and tea fragrances will stay inside longer. You can test the tightness like this: Fill a pot with water and start to pour it out. When pouring, press the tiny air hole on the lid. If the flow stops immediately without dripping, the lid fits perfectly on the pot.

4. Flawless details: An outstanding potter always attaches great importance to the small features of his pot. So when you pick a purple clay teapot, don’t forget to check out every piece. For example, the interior should be tidy and clean, and the artist’s personal seals should be clearly imprinted underneath the lid and under the base of the pot.

Is the material good enough?

The quality of the purple clay used is crucial to the overall value of a purple clay teapot. You can judge whether the material is good or not by observing and touching the surface. Real, superior purple clay shines with a natural gloss. Be aware of pots that are too bright or look like something has been added to enhance the color. When touching the pot, you should feel very tiny particles, much like sand at a beach.

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