Owning a handcrafted Jian Zhan tea cup is more than owning a beautiful object — it’s participating in a living tradition. To preserve its unique glaze and enhance its natural crackle (kaipian) patterns over time, proper care is essential.
Here’s how to clean, season, and store your Jian Zhan for years of enjoyment.
☕️ 1. Cleaning Your Jian Zhan
-
Rinse after each use: Use warm water to rinse the cup right after use, especially if you drank tea with strong color or oil content.
-
No soap needed: Avoid using dish soap or detergents, which may leave a scent that affects future tea experiences.
- No dishwasher: Jian Zhan is not dishwasher-safe. Always clean by hand.
🔥 2. Seasoning the Cup
One of the charms of Jian Zhan is the appearance of crackles (kaipian) over time — a natural response of the glaze to hot liquid. This process is called “seasoning” or yang zhan (养盏) in Chinese.
-
Use it often: The best way to season your cup is to use it regularly. The more you use it, the more beautiful and personal it becomes.
-
Only for tea or clean liquids: Avoid using your cup for milk, juice, or sugary drinks — these may cause stains or residue that affect the seasoning process.
- Watch the transformation: Over weeks or months, the glaze will develop visible, fine lines — like growing branches of a tree, each unique to your usage.
🌿 3. Storing Your Jian Zhan
-
Keep it dry: After cleaning, dry the cup thoroughly with a soft cloth and air it out before storing.
-
Avoid sunlight and heat: Don’t store your Jian Zhan near heat sources or under direct sunlight, which can affect the glaze over time.
-
Display with care: If using as a display item, consider a wooden or cloth base to avoid scratches and moisture buildup.
🧡 A Living Object
Your Jian Zhan will change over time. That’s the beauty of it — the more you use and care for it, the more personal it becomes. Like a relationship, it deepens with time.
Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or just starting your journey, treating your Jian Zhan with care will ensure that its beauty and story unfold with every cup.
