How to brew tea gongfu style using gaiwan

This is a video about using a gaiwan to make tea, but without all the fuss and the ceremonial aspects of it. I also tried to point out a few minor things that I think are important for making a proper cup.

I also run a blog on tea at http://www.marshaln.com/

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• gongfu tea
• oolong
• puerh
• gaiwan
• China
• tea
• tea ceremony
• yixing

[NinjaAssasin12]

Where can I get cups like yours online I've searched everywhere

[MarshalN]

@NinjaAssasin12 I got them in Taiwan as a gift. You may have a hard time finding cups like this, unfortunately

[Memo166]

Im very confused, let me explain. Always when i buy tea, it says on the package or on the webshops description, that i should steep the tea for x minuttes, i have seen everything from 1 to 8 minuttes.

But when i see this clips on youtube, especially when they use gaiwans, they only steep the tea for a maximum amount of 30 seconds. Can you please explain this ?

it´s kinda weird that there is so mcuh info about tea out there, but i have never heard anybody talking about this.

[MarshalN]

@Memo166 Hey there -- the reason is simple, because this is what's roughly called "gongfu" style of tea brewing, and it's not the same as your "steep 5 minutes" method. You repeatedly steep the tea here for multiple times before you give up on the leaves. Google it.

[TVorNotTeeVee]

I know it's been a while since you posted this but if you're still around I have a question. After the brief rinse, the actual brewing of the tea seemed equally brief.; not really a steep but a 2nd rinse. I'm used to steeping my tea a couple minutes. What is the proper length of time to steep?

[MarshalN]

@TVorNotTeeVee Given the amount of leaves I used, if you steep for a couple of minutes it'll be intensely bitter. This is a first infusion -- and I'll be drinking many more using the same leaves this way before I'm done with it.

[JesseJames3232]

Thanks for the video ! I'm a newbie in the tea world and honestly, a bit scared of all the techniques and terminology but videos like this ease the transit :)

[Arborisvita]

I tried to use gaiwan but it's too hot for me to handle. Is getting your hand use to the temperature the only way to be able to hold it properly?

[ellegy]

@NinjaAssasin12 You can get them on amazon. Just search "gaiwan", it should come right up :)

[Memo166]

@MarshalN

Thanks for the answer, i googled it right after i wrote that comment, and got enlightened, but thanks for the answer.

When i read my comment now i feel like a total newbie :)

[TVorNotTeeVee]

@MarshalN Thank you. Very helpful.