Gongfu Tea Set for Beginners: 4 Essential Pieces of Teaware
To start brewing gongfu tea, you need just four pieces of teaware: a kettle with a long, narrow spout, a white porcelain gaiwan, a fairness cup and a few small drinking cups. The gaiwan brews every type of tea without holding onto flavors, the fairness cup evens out each infusion, and the cups can be any style you like.
What kind of kettle do you need for gongfu tea?
Choose a kettle with a long, slender spout. It makes it easy to control where the water goes and how much you pour. Try to avoid kettles with a short, triangular spout; they splash and are hard to aim. A kettle with temperature control is a bonus, since different teas like different water temperatures.
Why start with a white porcelain gaiwan?
A gaiwan (盖碗, gàiwǎn, “lidded bowl”) is a bowl, lid and saucer. Choose white porcelain: it can brew all types of tea, it doesn’t absorb the tea’s fragrance, and the white glaze lets you see the color of the tea. Our Jingdezhen-style gaiwan comes in sizes from 120 to 180 ml; 120–130 ml is ideal for one or two people. Learn more in what a gaiwan represents.
What does a fairness cup do?
A fairness cup (公道杯, gōngdào bēi) is a small pitcher. Pour each infusion into it first, then serve, so every cup gets tea of the same color and strength. A clear glass one, like our 230 ml transparent fairness cup, also lets you admire the tea. Read why we use fairness cups.
Which drinking cups should you choose?
There are many kinds: glass, porcelain, purple clay and more. Pick whatever you love to hold and look at. Small cups of 30–60 ml suit gongfu brewing best.
Is there an all-in-one gongfu set for beginners?
Yes. For beginners, we recommend our All-in-One Case of White Porcelain Gongfu Tea Set in Dehua white porcelain. The Full Set includes a gaiwan, a fairness cup, six cups, a tea tray, a strainer and holder, a tea cloth and a clamp, and comes in five patterns. The Lite Version, with a gaiwan, fairness cup and three cups, is easier to travel with. Then follow our five tips for brewing gongfu tea.
FAQ
Can I brew gongfu tea without a gaiwan?
Yes, a small teapot works too. But a white porcelain gaiwan is the most versatile first piece.
What size gaiwan should a beginner buy?
About 120–130 ml is ideal for one or two people.
Do I need a tea tray?
It’s helpful for catching spills, but not essential. A tea cloth and a bowl for waste water will do.