In the world of tea in Japan, brewing tea in a cast iron teapot is a very old technique that has been used for hundreds of years. This actually dates back at least since the arrival of sencha tea in history. As for cast iron teapots, they have earned the respect of tea masters in particular for their longevity and their beauty which reflects a long craftsmanship on the archipelago of the Rising Sun. However, as we will see if you want to maintain this longevity there are still certain things to do.
Cleaning cast iron teapots
If you regularly use your cast iron teapot , know that the simple act of boiling water in it and infusing your tea allows you to put a protective screen between it and any rust that may appear. Just remember not to leave water in it and always air dry it.
But if you have recently purchased a cast iron teapot or even if yours has not been used for a long time, it will be necessary to clean it more thoroughly. To do this, follow the steps given below.
Before beginning the six steps that will allow you to clean your cast iron teapot, it is good to know that under no circumstances should you use soap, salt or oil to clean your teapot (salt and oil can be used to remove rust, we will come back to this in more detail later).
Cleaning steps
- Boil water in the teapot
- Remove the lid and infuser from the teapot
- Stir the boiling water into the teapot
- Wipe the inside of the teapot
- Turn the teapot over
- Clean the infuser
By following these steps your teapot will regain its former youth, will not rust and will therefore allow you to prepare excellent teas for years.
Step 1: Boil Water in the Teapot
Boiling water in the teapot will kill any bacteria that might be living inside. It is important not to neglect this step because it is very common for bacteria to live in damp and dark places, in this case inside the teapot, and they risk developing there if you do not stop. their growth.
Step 2: Remove the lid and infuser from the teapot
Removing the lid and the infuser from the teapot is a little extra that will allow you to clean the cast iron teapot even more.
Step 3: Stir the boiling water into the teapot
Don't just let the boiling water sit at the bottom of the teapot, stir it so that it comes into contact with all parts of the teapot and disinfects it in every nook and cranny.
Step 4: Wipe the inside of the teapot
Once the boiling water is well stirred inside the teapot, empty it. Then take a cloth and wipe the inside of the cast iron teapot to absorb any remaining moisture.
Step 5: Turn the Teapot Over
Finally, to ensure that no drop of water remains in the teapot, spread out your cloth and place your teapot upside down on top. Drying it in this way will allow any last traces of moisture that may remain inside to evacuate.
Step 6: Clean the Infuser
To finish cleaning your teapot, don't forget to also wash your infuser, otherwise there will be unhealthy accumulation in the filter.
Performing these steps from time to time will help keep your cast iron teapot in good condition. However, as said a little before, if you use it regularly, boiling water with tea helps prevent the appearance of rust and bacteria inside.
Although all these steps are still good to put into practice if your teapot is in good condition, they do not apply if it is already eaten away by rust. In this case another process is recommended, here it is:
Restoration of a rusty cast iron teapot
The first thing to do to restore your rusty cast iron teapot is to make a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar. If the rust has been there for a really long time you can use baking soda to remove the rust more easily.
If even after using water and vinegar the rust still does not come away, you can also use olive oil and finely ground salt to remove the rust. These two products are very easily available and combining them will create an abrasive solution sufficient to remove rust from your cast iron teapot. Once the rust is removed, follow the six steps listed above and your teapot will be good as new and ready to use.