?> Clay is a chemically reactive substance...anything there?
AC> Clays are considered exceptionally non-reactive chemically, especially in AC> the ceramics form, after high-temp treatment, like all pottery would. That AC> is why clay is almost indestructible even geologically. Only very high AC> heating combined with high pressure (we are talking geological scale here) AC> is capable of recrystallizing clays into other alumosilicates.
I've heard of various extreme brewing strategies, Alex. I am still waiting for one which can metamorphose the clay into mica (muscovite in your case, I would suppose). That would be impressive.
But, although clay doesn't react easily itself, doesn't it serve as a substrate for other reactions? Couldn't it be a catalyst? If I remember right, the origin-of-lifers now suspect that our great[etc.] grandparents started out as clay scum (yes, I know that this is a good opening line - go for it). DogMa, what do you think? (I think that I couldn't tell the difference between clay, glass or stainless, but my palate isn't very sensitive.)
If clay does improve taste, why aren't we partially filling our pots with little fired clay marbles or tori, I suppose, to increase surface area?
Best,
Rick.