What is a gongfu teapot?
Gongfu Teapot Yixing teapots have many benefits as they’re known to improve taste and isolate heat well. Such teapots are usually smaller than usual teapots and steep 4-6 small cups of tea that can be consumed in one sip.
How do you use a gaiwan tea set?
Use thumb and middle finger to hold the rim of the GaiWan, index finger to press on the lid. Move lid slightly off center to create a small gap between the lid and the body of the GaiWan. The gap works like a filter, allowing tea to flow out but stopping tea leaves. Then we can use the GaiWan like a teapot.
What makes a good gaiwan?
A tall gaiwan is ideal when one selects a tea with leaves that tend to float in the water vertically. A green tea like our Green Bamboo Tip (Zhu Ye Qing) would be a good choice in this regard.
Do you need a strainer with gaiwan?
Gaiwan is much easier to clean than a regular teapot. Because it has no holes and no strainer, you can wash it very easily. Some gaiwans can be washed in a dishwasher too. Always wash unglazed ceramic teaware by hand and with water only.
How do you choose gaiwan?
Make sure the gaiwan you choose fits in your hand and feels good. Hold it as if you are brewing and imagine making tea with it. A gaiwan that is too big or too small will be tricky to hold. For maximum versatility get a glazed gaiwan.
What are gaiwan used for?
A gaiwan is a small vessel for brewing tea that takes the place of a teapot. Gaiwans have been used in China since the Ming Dynasty and consist of three parts: a bowl, lid, and saucer. It is typically small enough that all three parts can be picked up in one hand.
What do you need for gongfu tea?
One needs a few things to get started on the gongfucha path: great tea, water and particular vessels such as a gaiwan, a small clay or porcelain teapot, a sharing pitcher, and small tasting cups, all often arranged on a tea table.
What is gongfu style?
The Chinese way of making tea is referred to as gongfu, meaning something that requires great skill and discipline. The gongfu style of tea is a way of making, serving, and appreciating tea that started over 1,000 years ago and still thrives today in China and Taiwan.
How do you use gaiwan without burning your fingers?
Pouring with a gaiwan This will also avoid the hot steam coming out from the back side of the gaiwan that could burn your hands. Then hold the edges of the cup with your middle finger and thumb, and press tightly on the knob of the lid with your index finger for a tight grip.
How big should a gaiwan be?
110ml to 150ml
For example, a typical Gaiwan has a volume of 110ml to 150ml. Due to the size of Gaiwan, most other supporting teawares (such as sharing pots) match this volume as well. In the long history of tea-drinking, the design of teawares constantly evolves to refine the tea-drinking experience.
How much tea should I put in a gaiwan?
We recommend using 5-7g of tea in a medium gaiwan (usually 5-6 oz capacity). For a curled green tea like Laoshan Green, 5 grams fills a generous heaped tablespoon, plus a heaped teaspoon. For flat pressed green teas like Mrs. Li’s Shi Feng Dragonwell, 5 grams fills about 2 tablespoons.
What kind of tea is used for gaiwan?
While you can brew many varieties of tea beautifully with a gaiwan, it is best suited to oolong, white and green, Pu-erh and Chinese black teas, for its ability to convey delicate flavor and for the ease and experience of brewing these teas. (It is less suited for other black teas, and Japanese green teas.)