steanze wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2020 1:03 pm
TeaTotaling wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:38 pm
Bok, and anyone else with experience. Does LQ/ER clay take time to awaken, before it really shines, as opposed to aged clay used for making modern pots. Bok, I know you mentioned in the other thread that 60's Hongni took a little time to come into it's own again.
Hi! What do you mean by "awaken"? Have an effect on tea? If that is what you mean, LQER pots have effect on tea from the beginning.
You do want to go easy on an old pot that has not been used for a long time, and pre-warm it gradually before dumping boiling water in it. Otherwise it might crack.
TeaTotaling wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:38 pm
LQ/ER might take even more time before the true performance of the clay is revealed. Would this be mostly true?
No, that's not true.
@steanze Thank you! I am meaning, do you know it's true potential right out of the gates, or does it take time to acclimate. I wasn't sure if the age, and how long the pot has been lying dormant, made any difference up front. For instance in my above picture, the Lao Zini pot, second from the top, currently has the most profound affect on plain, boiled water, compared to the others. I know Zini tends to be more porous, but I currently notice a distinct difference between the modern Zini I mentioned, and the LQ/ER Zini, with respect to noticeable affect. Understanding the Zhuni can act more like porcelain, and the Hongni being less pronounced than Zini overall. I even notice the aforementioned Zini currently muting more than the pictured Duanni.
I guess, many factors, as you have mentioned before, all work together to play a defining role. Like clay purity, blending, craftsmanship, studio, and firing, among others.
I am very careful to ease these old pots into use. Definitely not hitting it with any hot water right out of the gates. Thanks for the word of caution, better not to learn the hard way, but rather the smart way.
It's been fun diving in, experimenting, and testing the waters thus far. I am excited to grow these pots over time!