Di Cao Qing - Gourd

Di Cao Qing is a rare, lower-temperature clay from the Huanglong Mountain mines. It has a distinctive, dark greenish-grey body with subtle golden sand specks. For the Gourd shape, this clay enhances the natural, earthy aesthetic and provides excellent heat retention, making it ideal for brewing greener teas like Tieguanyin or raw pu-erh, as it softens the brew without overpowering delicate notes.

Yes, the Gourd shape features a rounded body and a slightly curved, short spout. This design creates a smooth, laminar flow with a clean cut-off, making it easy to control while pouring. The hand-poured spout is precisely angled to match the gourd's natural lines, so it's both functional and aesthetically pleasing for daily brewing sessions.

For Di Cao Qing, we recommend a gentle seasoning. Rinse the pot with warm water, then fill it with boiling water and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Discard the water, add a small amount of the tea type you plan to use (like a light oolong), and steep for 10 minutes. This helps open the clay's pores and removes any residual dust, allowing the clay to absorb the tea's essence gradually without shocking it.

Absolutely. Di Cao Qing is known for developing a rich, deep patina with use. Due to the Gourd's wider belly and narrow neck, the seasoning concentrates nicely in the lower chamber. The clay will shift from a matte greenish-grey to a glossy, almost bronze-tinted sheen, especially on the areas where your hand touches during pouring.

We strongly recommend dedicating this Di Cao Qing Gourd to a single tea category, such as Wuyi rock oolongs or a specific sheng pu-erh. Di Cao Qing has a very absorbent nature due to its porous structure. The Gourd shape's narrower opening also reduces airflow, which intensifies flavor absorption. Using it exclusively will allow the clay to build a nuanced memory that enhances your chosen tea over time.

Yes, Di Cao Qing is a well-tempered clay that handles boiling water well, but you should preheat the Gourd pot by rinsing it with warm water first. Because the Gourd has a narrow top and a wider bottom, thermal stress is naturally distributed, but a sudden shock of boiling water on dry clay could cause hairline cracks. A 30-second warm-up rinse ensures longevity.