Why Do We Use Fairness Cups? 2 Jobs in Gongfu Tea
A fairness cup (公道杯, gōngdào bēi) does two jobs in gongfu tea. First, it stops the brew: you pour the tea out of the gaiwan or teapot into the fairness cup at just the right moment, so it doesn’t oversteep. Second, it evens out the color and strength, so everyone at the table gets the same tea. That fairness is where the name comes from.
Why do you need a fairness cup to stop steeping?
The fairness cup is the middle step between your teapot or gaiwan and your drinking cups. In Chinese gongfu tea, if the leaves sit in hot water too long, the tea oversteeps and becomes much stronger and more bitter. By pouring the whole infusion into the fairness cup as soon as it is ready, you lock in the best taste. It works like a transfer station.
How does a fairness cup make tea “fair”?
When you pour straight from a gaiwan into several cups, the first cup is lighter and the last is stronger. A fairness cup mixes the whole infusion first, so every cup has the same color and taste. Everyone at the tea table is treated equally, and that’s why it’s called a fairness cup.
Why are most fairness cups made of glass?
Today, most fairness cups are made of clear glass. It lets you admire the color of the tea, which is also an important way to judge its quality. Read five steps to appreciating a cup of tea and the three dimensions of tasting tea.
How do you use a fairness cup?
- Warm the fairness cup with hot water before you start.
- When the infusion is ready, pour all of it from the gaiwan into the fairness cup.
- Pour from the fairness cup into each drinking cup.
- Choose a fairness cup a little larger than your gaiwan or teapot.
Building your first set? See the essential teaware for gongfu tea.
FAQ
What is another name for a fairness cup?
It’s also called a tea pitcher or chá hǎi (茶海, “tea sea”).
Do I need a fairness cup for gongfu tea?
It isn’t essential, but it makes every cup taste the same and prevents oversteeping.
What size fairness cup should I buy?
Slightly larger than your gaiwan or teapot, so one full infusion fits.