How to use a gaiwan for gongfu tea
A practical, beginner-friendly guide to brewing tea in a gaiwan: ratios, temperatures, timing, and common mistakes.
What you need
Gaiwan (90–150 ml), fairness cup (optional), small cups, kettle, and a scale if possible.
Leaf-to-water ratio
Start with 1g per 15–20 ml for oolong and puerh. Adjust by taste.
Temperature
Oolong and puerh: 90–100°C. Green tea: 75–85°C. White tea: 85–95°C.
Steeping schedule
Rinse (optional) and then short infusions: 5–10s, then add 2–5s each round.
Common mistakes
Too much leaf for small gaiwan, water too cool for dark teas, and long first infusion.
FAQ
Do I need to rinse the leaves?
Rinse is optional. For compressed puerh it can help open the leaves. For green tea skip it.
My tea is bitter — what to change?
Use cooler water, shorter first infusion, or reduce leaf amount.
Reviewed by Tealista Editorial Team · Editorial policy · Sources
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