The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Every Tea Type with a Gaiwan

Why the Gaiwan is the Ideal Tea Brewer

The Three-Talent Gaiwans (lid, bowl, saucer) has been a key element of Chinese tea ceremonies for hundreds of years. In contrast to teapots, its open structure allows you to:

• Precisely control steeping time by the second.
• Watch the leaves unfold for a visual brewing experience.
• Brew any type of tea—from gentle white teas to strong puer.

Today's tea enthusiasts appreciate its flexibility: It's small enough for a work desk but also stylish for formal tea ceremonies.

Essential Gaiwan Brewing Tools

1. Gaiwan Materials

2. Supportive Tools

• Fairness Cup (Cha Hai): Guarantees balanced flavoring.
• Tea Strainer: Filters out fine particles from aged teas.
• Digital Thermometer: Essential for green and white teas, accurate to within ±2°C.

Water: Opt for spring or filtered water, with TDS between 50 and 150 ppm.

Core Gaiwan Brewing Principles

1. Water Temperature Guide

2. Tea-to-Water Ratios

• Light Teas: Use 2-3g for every 100ml (green, white, yellow).
• Bold Teas: Use 5-7g for every 100ml (puer, black, roasted oolong).

3. Steeping Time Progression

• Initial Infusion: Steep for 10-20 seconds to awaken leaves.
• Next Infusions: Increase steeping time by 5-10 seconds each time.

4. Pouring Techniques

• High Pour (10-15cm): Slightly cools the water for gentle teas.
• Low Pour (3-5cm): Keeps heat intact for puer and black teas.

Lid Angle: Keep at 45° to manage flow and retain heat.

Step-by-Step Brewing Guides

Oolong Tea (like Tieguanyin or Dahongpao)

1. Rinse: Use 5 grams of leaves with 95°C water for a quick 5-second rinse, then discard.
2. Steeping Times: First steep for 15 seconds, the second for 20 seconds, and the third for 30 seconds.
3. Pour Completely: Tilt the lid to drain out every drop, which helps avoid over-steeping.

▶ Tip: Porcelain teapots can enhance the floral flavors. Detailed Oolong Guide

Puer Tea (Raw vs. Ripe)

• Raw Puer:

1. Use 95°C water to rinse twice for 10 seconds each time.
2. Start with a 15-second steep, then add 5 seconds for each round (up to 10 times).

• Ripe Puer:

1. Do a quick 5-second rinse with boiling water.
2. Begin with a 20-second steep for rich, earthy flavors.

▶ Pro Tip: Use a Yixing clay teapot to mellow out the tannins. Puer Brewing Guide

Green Tea (like Longjing, Biluochun)

1. Use cool water: Heat to 75°C to prevent it from tasting bitter.
2. Keep lid slightly open: Leave a 1 cm gap to let the steam escape.
3. Steep times: 60 seconds → 30 seconds → 45 seconds to avoid burning.

⚠️ Note: Do not press down on the leaves—let them float. Green Tea Guide

Black Tea (e.g., Keemun, Zhengshan Xiaozhong)

• Gongfu Style: 5g leaves, 90°C, 10s multi-steeps (6+ infusions).

• Western Style: 3g leaves, 3-minute single steep.
  ▶ Pro Tip: Preheat the gaiwan to maximize aroma.

White/Yellow Tea (e.g., Silver Needle, Junshan Yinzhen)

1. Low temp: 75°C water.

2. Partial lid: Cover ¾ to retain floral notes.

3. Steep: 2 minutes → +1 minute per infusion.

Flower Tea (e.g., Jasmine, Osmanthus)

1. Layer brewing: Place flowers above tea base.

2. Temp: 80°C to preserve fragrance.

3. Reuse: Remove flowers after 2nd infusion.

Gaiwan Techniques Guide

Preventing Burns

When using a gaiwan, it's essential to be mindful of how you hold it to avoid any accidental burns from the hot tea. One effective technique is to position your thumb securely on the knob of the lid while simultaneously placing your index and middle fingers beneath the rim of the gaiwan. This finger positioning provides you with a stable grip that helps you control the gaiwan while pouring, thereby minimizing the risk of getting burned. Additionally, for beginners, using a double-wall gaiwan can be particularly beneficial. The design of a double-wall gaiwan provides extra insulation, helping to keep the temperature of the tea stable while also protecting your hands from the heat, which makes it an excellent choice for those who are just starting to explore the world of gaiwan brewing.

Correcting Over-Steeped Tea

If you find that your tea has steeped for too long, resulting in a flavor that is overly strong or bitter, there are two effective methods you can employ to salvage it. The first step is to dilute the tea by pouring in a small amount of hot water. This additional water will help mellow out the overpowering taste and restore some balance to the infusion. The second option is to blend the over-steeped tea with a lighter brew. By mixing it with another tea that has a milder flavor profile, you can achieve a harmonious balance that can make your tea enjoyable again. Both techniques are simple yet effective ways to enhance your tea-drinking experience, even if you initially made a mistake with the steeping time.

Reheating Water

When it comes to reheating water for your gaiwan, it is important to be careful and thoughtful about how you go about it. One key piece of advice is to only re-boil the water once. This limitation is crucial because repeated boiling can lead to a decrease in the oxygen content of the water, which can negatively affect the flavor of the tea you are preparing. Additionally, if you notice that your tea leaves are still tightly closed after the initial steeping, consider adjusting the temperature of the water. A slight increase of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius may encourage the leaves to open up more fully, allowing for an improved infusion and a more flavorful cup of tea. Taking these steps will help ensure that you get the best possible results from your gaiwan brewing sessions.

FAQs

Q: Can I use one gaiwan for all teas?

A: Yes, but rinse thoroughly. Dedicate porous Yixing gaiwans Teapot to one tea type (e.g., puer only).

Q: Why does my tea taste bitter?

A: Likely due to:

• Water too hot for delicate teas.

• Leaves compressed during brewing.

• Low-quality leaves (over-oxidized).

Q: What’s the best gaiwan for beginners?

A: Porcelain—neutral flavor, easy to clean, and heat-resistant.

Conclusion: Start Your Gaiwan Journey

Whether you’re steeping floral Tieguanyin or earthy puer, the gaiwan adapts to every leaf’s personality. Ready to begin?

🔸 Explore Our Top Picks:

• Porcelain Beginner Set

• Yixing Clay Master Collection

🔸 Want More? Subscribe for our free Gaiwan Brewing Cheat Sheet—get water temps, ratios, and timing for 12 teas.