Take care of your Japanese teaware
Japanese teaware is more than just beautiful and delicate pieces - they can last a long time if you take good care of them. Whether it's a ceramic tea bowl, porcelain teacup or bamboo tea whisk, each item has different handling precautions that should be followed in order to enjoy them for as long as possible. Read on to find out more about proper Japanese teaware maintenance.
TEA BOWLS
Japanese tea bowls, or chawan, are usually used to prepare and drink matcha. Even though Cleaning the bowl might seem easy enough, there are a few tips you should keep in mind when cleaning rakuchawan—a very delicate kind of tea bowl that needs extra special care.
Chawan
Cleaning:
Gently rinse your tea bowl with water after use. Never put it in the dishwasher or dryer; always wash it by hand! Chawan should only be used to make Matcha tea; not for any other type of tea.
Rakuchawan
Initiation:
Before using the Rakuchawan for the first time, dip it in lukewarm water with a few grains of hard rice. The rice powder will help seal the pores of the Rakuchawan and make it more durable.
Cleaning:
To clean your tea bowl, dip it in lukewarm water for:
- a new bowl: 1-2 minutes
- an older one: 30 seconds
It's important to clean it immediately after use so stains don't have time to set and damage the bowl. Do not let it sit in water, for the tea bowl will fall apart!
Storage:
Before use, dry the tea bowl with a towel. Between uses - especially during humid season - store it in a well-ventilated area to keep it dry. Otherwise, the tea bowl could be damaged and/or develop mold. If an unpleasant smell persists despite drying the bowl thoroughly, make tea with it every day for one week to remove the scent completely. If after this time there is still no change, reach out to us or the original producers of your teaware for guidance.
TEAPOTS
Teapots come in various materials, the three primary being ceramic, porcelain and glass. They all require unique methods of cleaning and different levels of care.
Ceramic teapot
Initiation:
For optimal results, rinse in hot water and completely dry before first use!
Cleaning:
Rinse the product with hot water and let it air dry. Do not put in the dishwasher, dryer or use dish soap!
To clean your tea strainer, run water in the reverse direction from the spout. Use a toothbrush or toothpick to remove any tea leaves that are stuck in the strainer. If there is any discolouration, do not use bleach of any kind.
Storage:
Once you're done using it, be sure to let it dry completely before storing it. If not, it might start to develop a damp smell or mold.
Contact Us
Do not hesitate to contact our team for more tips on how to clean your Japanese Teaware. We are always here to help you to choose the perfect product for you and to keep it pristine for a long time.
