Though expensive, Jianshui teapot has what it takes to drain your pockets, but for good reasons. This type of teaware is known for its unmatched beauty, style, and tasty tea since time immemorial. And if you are a seasoned tea maker, you can attest to this allegation in support of these awesome teapots from Jianshui. But why would you want to go for this type of teapot and not other models? Let’s find out!
What’s Jianshui Teapot?
This is a teaware made from clay materials from Jianshui, hence the name. The clay used in making Jianshui Teapots is believed to come from several ores ( at least five) from hills around Jianshui, at the heart of Yunnan Province in the People’s Republic of China.
These ores come in purple, yellow, cyan, white and five colors. They are blended then cured to create a strong and stable clay that is excellent in retaining heat for a long time. The same clay material is known to possess tea softening properties. That is the reason why this popular beverage tastes different when prepared and served using Jianshui teapots.
The most unique thing about this teapot is that it’s crafted without involving any form of molding. This should tell you that it is entirely made by hand and that’s why it comes with an expensive price tag.
Their infusion effect is better than that of Yixing. With continuous usage, these seasonable teapots improve in appearance, resulting in finer and smoother surfaces. That is the main reason Jianshui teapots have their own appeal to those who have used them to brew their tea.
The introduction of Jianshui teapots on the market has upset the balance which was previously set and monopolized by Yixing teaware. Due to their popularity and quality, these teapots have claimed their place in several loyal tombs and key archaeological sites in far places.
What Makes Jianshui Teapots Unique?
Jianshui teaware boasts of a unique feature not found in other products today. And this feature is defined by the fineness of the materials (clay) used in crafting them.
In comparison, the Jianshui teapot fineness is believed to be between those from Kaolin and Yixing for porcelain. For instance, the size of the particle for Kaolin lies between 25 and 35 micrometers. This is considered to be very, very fine. That of Yixing is about 150 nanometer or more and Jianshui is between 50 and 70 nanometers in size.
Due to these emerging differences in fineness, each type of teaware has its own characteristics that define the quality of tea brewed from each. In this case, the Jianshui gives a more accentuated and relatively sharper aroma than the rest.
Which Type of Teas will you Use Jianshui Teapots for?
With this type of teaware, you can brew the following kinds of teas:
- Delicate teas such as Regal, Eternal Springs or Biluochun and so on
- Supple and matured teas with aroma such as Premoderm Peony, Red Jade among others
- Teas that have great aromas and flavors such as Eternal Spring, Eight Immortals Wudong and many more
Brewing tea with the right teaware makes the rare moment of enjoying this beverage to be more fulfilling and worthwhile. This gives you an idea about the type of teapot you should use when preparing your favorite tea.
How do you Maintain Jianshui Teapots?
Just like Yixing teapots, Jianshui teawares should be maintained in the same way. The maintenance practice may include cleaning, priming as well as proper usage.
Cleaning
Make sure that you use a non-abrasive cleaning material when washing Jianshui teapots. But the cleaning water should be cold and don’t use any type of detergent during this cleaning process.
Submerge it in cold water and let it stay there overnight. Wash once more and then resubmerge in cold water in a saucepan and let it boil for about 5 minutes. Drain and wash it again using cold water.
Priming
Submerge teaware in cold water in a saucepan and boil it. After a while, turn off the heat. Then add a few tea leaves ( those that you intend to use in this teapot) into the boiling water inside the saucepan. Cover and let it stand overnight. In the following day, drain and wash it in cold water. Allow it to dry in readiness for use.
Usage
Keep in mind that one teapot is meant for one particular type of tea and nothing else. Repeated usage will lead to the seasoning of the teapot and that will enhance the improved infusion effect.
What you should know at this stage is that an already used Jianshui teapot must be cleaned by applying the initial cleaning method followed by re-priming for another tea.
Final Thought
Even though Jianshui Teapots are costly, the benefits derived from brewing different teas using these teawares cannot be compared to their price tags. That is what gives this awesome teaware an edge over others when it comes to brewing different types of teas.
