Do you guys season your Yixing before first use?
If so, which method do you use?
There are several methods circulating online and they are quite different which is very confusing.
They all agree on the first step: boil the tea pot in fresh water for about 1 hr.
Then most of them recommend adding some leaves of the tea that is going to be used with this tea pot and boil for 5-10 minutes then remove the leaves and continue to simmer for about 1 hr.
Then some say - leave it like that in the pot with the tea solution for up to 24 hrs. Others say - remove the tea pot right away and boil it again in fresh water for another hour.
If those last steps are optional, why would anyone even bother do them?
I'm sure each step does something important, like boiling with the leaves is meant to season the pot - I get it.
Why would you boil in again in fresh water or is it just an unnecessary step?
Dec 19th, '10, 21:42
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Re: Seasoning Yixing teapots
And some say, boil the teapot with firm tofu and then sugar cane 
This is not kidding, but is, of course, optional 
I think even the first step is optional. Most of the time I don't boil the teapot, but rinse it with hot water for many times during a few weeks' tea sessions. Some of my friends don't even do that. Some would do boiling all the way to tofu and sugar cane
This is not kidding, but is, of course, optional I think even the first step is optional. Most of the time I don't boil the teapot, but rinse it with hot water for many times during a few weeks' tea sessions. Some of my friends don't even do that. Some would do boiling all the way to tofu and sugar cane
Re: Seasoning Yixing teapots
I'm lazy so I don't bother seasoning teapots. Over time, after many infusions, the pot should become seasoned anyway.
Dec 20th, '10, 02:39
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Re: Seasoning Yixing teapots
Boiling and seasoning are two different things. Boiling a new Zisha teapot will remove oil, dirt, and other nasty stuff and it is a very important step!
The best way to season a Zisha teapot, of course, is by use, but there is a way to speed it up. Fill the pot with the leaves that you intend on using in the pot and adding hot water. Do not pour out the tea, but let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, pour out the water and add more hot water. Repeat this process until the leaves are played out, and add more leaves and do it again. This way works very well, but some people say that it will season the pot with the taste of overbrewed tea, but I have used this process with great success. I do it often for customers who buy my pots and want me to season them. I generally do it for at least two months.
Does anyone else have any ways to season Zisha teapots? I'd love to hear others.
The best way to season a Zisha teapot, of course, is by use, but there is a way to speed it up. Fill the pot with the leaves that you intend on using in the pot and adding hot water. Do not pour out the tea, but let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, pour out the water and add more hot water. Repeat this process until the leaves are played out, and add more leaves and do it again. This way works very well, but some people say that it will season the pot with the taste of overbrewed tea, but I have used this process with great success. I do it often for customers who buy my pots and want me to season them. I generally do it for at least two months.
Does anyone else have any ways to season Zisha teapots? I'd love to hear others.
Re: Seasoning Yixing teapots
Various schools of thought regarding the matter.
I follow this one:
1. Leave teapot in cold water for two days
2. On day three boil the pot for 30mins
3. Turn the power off and let the pot cool down overnight
4. Next morning ready to use
Tip: use filtered/spring water.
Good luck.
I follow this one:
1. Leave teapot in cold water for two days
2. On day three boil the pot for 30mins
3. Turn the power off and let the pot cool down overnight
4. Next morning ready to use
Tip: use filtered/spring water.
Good luck.
Dec 20th, '10, 11:07
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Re: Seasoning Yixing teapots
There is definately nothing compared to just continual use to season a teapot!
For my personal teapots I don't try to speed up the process, but a lot of my customers want me to do it for them, which is quite frustrating becasue I have 22 teapots in my shop that I am tending for different people.
For my personal teapots I don't try to speed up the process, but a lot of my customers want me to do it for them, which is quite frustrating becasue I have 22 teapots in my shop that I am tending for different people.
Re: Seasoning Yixing teapots
I first boil the teapots to remove the oil and dirt.
Then I will boil the teapot again except this time with the tea that I am going to use in the water and in the pot. I will then take the pot off the fire and let it sit til it is cool. Then take the pot plus the leaves and tea water and put them all in a sealable container and put it in the fridge for 3+ days. After this you can just take it out and let it dry in a spot away from any other smells. You will notice that the pot is now much darker and has taken on the smells of the tea. This can be repeated but you don't have to. It's pretty much ready to use from this point on.
Then I will boil the teapot again except this time with the tea that I am going to use in the water and in the pot. I will then take the pot off the fire and let it sit til it is cool. Then take the pot plus the leaves and tea water and put them all in a sealable container and put it in the fridge for 3+ days. After this you can just take it out and let it dry in a spot away from any other smells. You will notice that the pot is now much darker and has taken on the smells of the tea. This can be repeated but you don't have to. It's pretty much ready to use from this point on.