1. What is Kaihu?

Kaihu refers to the preparation and treatment process that a Zisha Teapot undergoes before it is used.

2. Why is it necessary to Kaihu a Zisha Teapot? What is the purpose of Kaihu? What are the effects?

  1)Remove Foreign Substances:

A Zisha Teapot is made by high-temperature firing, which causes physical changes and expansion of the pores. After it cools down from the kiln, some of these pores may become blocked with dust. Additionally, during the fine-tuning process by the artisans, small fragments of clay or sand may remain inside the teapot. Moreover, some teapots still contain white aluminum powder (used as a fire-resistant agent to prevent the lid from fusing with the body during firing). Along the way, the teapot may also gather dust and other impurities. These foreign substances need to be removed during Kaihu to ensure the teapot is safe for use with tea.

  2)Eliminate "Fire Qi" and "Dryness":

The special properties and microstructure of the clay are not damaged when fired at high temperatures above 1000°C, but the teapot still retains no moisture, resulting in a "dryness" or "fire qi." This "fire qi" produces a distinct earthy taste, and the teapot may have a raw, "muddy" flavor when first used. To remedy this, the teapot needs to undergo an annealing process to remove the "fire qi" and "earthy" flavors. Anyone experienced in using Zisha Teapots knows that trying to brew tea in a freshly fired teapot results in a weak and "muddy" brew, no matter how much tea you use. Therefore, it is necessary to "feed" the teapot with water first, to remove these undesirable tastes and lay a good foundation for its long-term care.

3. Steps for Kaihu

  1)Awakening the Teapot:

Start by rinsing both the inside and outside of the teapot, including the lid and spout, with clean water. Then, place the teapot into a clean, odor-free pot filled with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let the teapot boil for about 30 minutes. Afterward, turn off the heat and let the teapot cool naturally. Make sure the water fully covers the entire teapot during this process to ensure thorough awakening.

  2)Moisturizing the Teapot:

Next, place tea leaves (about one-third of the teapot’s capacity) inside the Zisha Teapot, and pour in hot water. Cover the teapot with its lid and use the hot water to rinse the entire teapot from top to bottom. Let the teapot sit for 6-8 hours, allowing the tea fragrance to absorb into the teapot and remove any other lingering odors.

  3)Drying the Teapot:

Once the tea leaves have been removed, rinse the teapot with purified water. Then, place the teapot in a well-ventilated, dry place to air dry naturally.

If you're not in a hurry to use the teapot, it’s recommended to soak it in clean water for a week before proceeding with the above steps for an even better result.