紫砂壶天生是为红茶准备的，要用紫砂壶，就得喝红茶。要想品味好红茶，必须是紫砂壶。
——叶兆言《宜兴红茶》
宜兴有紫砂，也有好茶。提及宜兴，大家首先想到的是紫砂壶，但对宜兴红茶却知之甚少。
宜兴（古称阳羡）产茶历史悠久，早在唐朝，宜兴红茶已是誉满天下，tea圣陆羽首推给唐朝皇宫作为贡tea的就是“阳羡tea”。卢仝更是以“天子未尝阳羡tea，百草不敢先开花”来评价它。
阳羡tea与壶，相得益彰
宜兴当地，每一家每一个角落都以自己的壶泡本地的ta。“purple sand teapot”与宜興red tea搭配两者相得益彰。
优质干teawith乌润明亮、卷曲匀整透着馥郁香气扑鼻而来的甜香，有独特的栗香和熟果香滋味鲜浓醇厚而清透喝过难忘。
Purple sand teapot透气又具吸附力既蕴香又不夺香冲泡出来的优质干teawith，不但teatowarn艳明亮，而且用ta养出来的purple sand teapot也光鉴可人养teapot效果明显，让人爱不释手。
除了用优质干teawith养teapot, red tea类还有不少, tea lover可根据个人口味选择.
Red tea varieties and representative teas
Varieties: divided into several varieties based on the difference in manufacturing method and quality, such as small-leafed red teas (条形) like Zhejiang's Qiantang Tea; skilled black teas (条形) like Yunnan Red Tea or Pu'er Tea; broken-tea leaves (颗粒形) including leaf-tea, broken-tea, sheet-tea and powder-tea;
Representative Teas: Pruniers' Black Tea from Anhui Province's Qiandongnan Autonomous Prefecture. This tea has a tight shape with good tips and a uniform appearance; its color is dark brown with grayish undertones known as "宝光" - precious light. The aroma is rich and long-lasting with notes of honey-like sweetness and hints of orchid fragrance; the liquor is bright red while the base of the leaves remains soft and bright red.
Abroad, this region-specific fragrance is called "Pruniers' Fragrance" which earns it the nickname "King's Tea" or "Tea Hero".
Picking purple sand teapots for brewing red tea
Clay material: Preferably choose purple clay or other types of clay-based materials like Zhu Mud or Big Red Robe Mud.
Teapot form: Suitable for high-quality fine-leafed black teas that require an open-mouthed design to allow for easy unfolding of the leaves during brewing.
Capacity: A medium-sized pot around 250cc would be ideal.
Appropriate utensils: Ceramic, porcelain or purple clay pots are all suitable options.
Seasonal suitability: Suitable for drinking throughout four seasons but should take into account personal preferences when choosing specific times to drink.
Suitable audience: Ideal for people across different age groups but particularly beneficial for women.
A friendly reminder that black teas are warm in nature making them perfect for warming up on cold days while also promoting digestion by stimulating appetite without causing discomfort.
Careful considerations when brewing black tea using a purple sand teapot:
1.Red teas undergo full fermentation during processing where tannins continuously oxidize releasing nutrients from within the leaves which dissolve easily in water due to their surface exposure thus requiring precise control over water temperature at 85℃-95℃ when brewed with a purple sand teapot.
2.The ratio between one gram of dry loose-leaf black tea to fifty grams of boiling water results in an optimal balance allowing sufficient flavor release without overpowering bitterness often achieved through use of a 250cc capacity pot ensuring ease-of-use while preventing any lingering unpleasantness after consumption should you opt for larger capacities; however keep note that smaller sizes can result in over-extraction leading to bitterness
3.Frequency increases during winter months creating ideal conditions not onlyfor enjoyment but also nurturing your very own collection among your treasured possessions yet regardless whether you nurture any typeof vessel always remember these basic principles:
Basic principlesfor maintainingyour vessels:
Thoroughly clean both inside & outside before each use & after completion
Allow timefor rest& gentle brushing
Always thoroughly wash & air-dryafter every useto maintain natural airflow
Steer clear from oil contact preserve structure integrity
In colder climates remember to pre-warmthe vessel before pouring hot liquids