How to Care for Ru Kiln Tea Sets

1. Preparing the Teapot (Before First Use)

• Rinse the inside and outside of the teapot and teacups with hot water at about 80°C to remove any earthy or smoky odors left over from firing.

• Place all the tea ware in a chapan (a basin used for rinsing tea ware) filled with hot water and soak overnight. This helps the mineral molecules inside the teapot adjust to changes in water temperature, making it smoother to use.

2. Before Use

• Before brewing tea, wash your hands and warm the teapot and teacups with hot water.

• Rinse the tea leaves once with hot water, then brew slowly and enjoy the tea’s aroma.

3. Brewing Tea

• When using Ru kiln tea ware for the first time, light-colored teas are recommended.

• Choose according to your preference: Longjing, white tea, raw Pu’er, rock tea, oolong, and more.

• Different teas affect the tea ware’s crackle pattern (the color that tea infusion stains onto its surface), while brewing habits also influence the pattern’s size and color intensity.

4. Crackle Patterns (Changes to the Tea Ware’s Surface)

• Crackle patterns are one of the defining features of Ru kiln tea ware. Over time, distinctive crackle lines gradually appear on the surface.

• Developing crackle patterns takes time and patience—that is part of the pleasure and charm of Ru kiln tea ware.

• Crackle patterns usually begin to appear after about four months. After five to six years, they become more pronounced and intricate.

5. Cleaning

• Authentic Ru porcelain with a mineral glaze is dense, so tea stains do not adhere easily. Simply wash it thoroughly after each use.

• For light tea stains, gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste.

• After use, rinse with warm water and let dry upside down. Avoid contact with non-tea stains, grease, and chemicals.

• If not using the tea ware for a while, we recommend placing the teacup in a tea-rinsing basin and conditioning its lines and color with tea infusion.

6. Care and Storage

• Ru kiln tea ware made with genuine agate-stone glaze and reduction-fired is very easy to care for; simply store it in a well-ventilated, dry place.

• The pure stone glaze is reduction-fired at 1350°C. It will not fade for a thousand years, and its surface is as smooth as jade.

• As the glaze’s sheen and firing effects gradually soften, the celadon glaze takes on a warmer luster, creating an understated yet elegant atmosphere.