How to brew tea gongfu style using gaiwan
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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 www.marshaln.com
Tagged with: China • Gaiwan • gongfu tea • Marshal • oolong • puerh • Tea • tea ceremony • Yixing
Filed under: misc
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excellent video, thank you for sharing your tradition with the rest of the world.
followed your link from teachat, really informative little video…thanks!
should i use a first wash brew for all tea?
Generally I’d suggest washing all tea with the first brew. It doesn’t have to be long — a quick rinse will do in most cases. Some people will drink the first infusion — I usually avoid it, partly because the taste is often not very good anyway.
What’s the best water to use for tea?
Thank you. I received a gaiwan for Christmas, and this video was a good introduction for me.
Is there any container in particular you’d recommend I use to pour out the wash? Should I just collect it in a large mug to dispose of it later? I won’t buy a tray.
@JaceySquires well I think that the leftover of both the water and 1st brew (well only some of it) should be poured into the dish for the gaiwan to act as an isulator. Then when the water gets cold you would have to empty it into a mug and put fresh water in the gaiwan dish
the video was very complete with nice little details. Thank you so very much
I have those scissors
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?
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?
@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.
@MarshalN Thank you. Very helpful.
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.
@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.
@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
Where can I get cups like yours online I’ve searched everywhere
@NinjaAssasin12 I got them in Taiwan as a gift. You may have a hard time finding cups like this, unfortunately
@NinjaAssasin12 You can get them on amazon. Just search “gaiwan”, it should come right up
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?