Avoid Bitterness: The Delicate Art of Brewing Green Tea in a Gaiwan

Why Green Tea Needs a Gaiwan's Care

Green tea has delicate leaves that are not oxidized and are sensitive to heat. To keep their sweet taste and avoid bitterness, careful brewing is important. The gaiwan, a traditional Chinese tea cup, helps with this in a few ways:

• Quick temperature control: One benefit of the gaiwan is that if the water is too hot, you can cool it down by leaving the lid slightly open. This helps brew the leaves at the right temperature, bringing out their flavors without ruining them.
• Watching the process: The open design of the gaiwan lets you see how the tea is brewing. This is especially helpful for tender buds, like Longjing’s “旗枪” (flag-spear). You can watch the leaves open up and know when to stop brewing for the best taste.
• Fast pouring: The gaiwan also allows for quick pouring. You can empty the water in just a few seconds. This quick action is important to stop the brewing process at the right time, preventing bitterness in the tea.

Tools You’ll Need

• Thin-walled porcelain gaiwan (80–120ml) for rapid heat dissipation.

• Thermometer (±1°C accuracy).

• Low-mineral water (TDS <50 ppm, e.g., Volvic or filtered).

• Shallow teacups to prevent heat retention.

▶ Recommended: Gaiwan Tea Sets

Step-by-Step Brewing Guide

1. Tea Selection & Prep

Dosage: 2–3g per 100ml water.

2. Temperature Control

• Pre-cooling: To cool the brewing cup, pour boiled water into it first. This helps lower the cup's temperature to the right level for brewing tea. It makes the tea taste better and stops it from becoming bitter from water that is too hot.
• Lid ajar technique: Another way to control the temperature is to leave the lid slightly open. Keep a small gap of about 1 centimeter between the lid and the brewing cup. This lets steam escape and cools the tea as it brews, helping to keep the taste just right.

3. Brewing Ritual

• Preheat: Start by warming up your gaiwan and cups. Rinse them with water heated to about 60°C. This step is important to avoid thermal shock, which can crack your vessels and affect the tea’s taste.
• Add leaves: After preheating, gently add the tea leaves to the gaiwan. Make sure not to crush them. This helps the leaves open up and release their flavors, giving you a better tea experience.
• First infusion: The temperature and time for steeping depend on the tea type. For Longjing, use water at about 75°C for 60 seconds. For Biluochun, use water at around 70°C for 45 seconds. Each tea needs its own care to taste best.
• Subsequent infusions: For the next infusions, shorten the steeping time by about 20%. If the first infusion took 60 seconds, the second should take around 48 seconds, and the third about 38 seconds. This helps keep the tea flavorful without making it too bitter.

Pro Tips to Eliminate Bitterness

1. Float, Don't Sink

• Bad practice: Pushing down the leaves can trap heat and release tannins. This makes your tea taste bad.
• Good practice: Let the leaves float on the water. This helps them soak evenly and keeps their nice flavors, improving your tea experience.

2. Two-Pour Method

• Start by pouring about 70% of the water needed to cover the leaves. This helps the leaves hydrate and start releasing their flavors.
• After about 10 seconds, pour in the last 30% of the water. This cools the mixture and helps avoid bitter taste from over-extraction.

3. Rescue Overheated Tea

• If your tea is too hot, add room-temperature water. This will help make the taste better.

To avoid overheating, use a gaiwan. Its flared rim helps the tea cool faster, making it easier to control the temperature.

FAQs

Q: Why does my green tea taste bitter at 70°C?

A: Possible reasons include:

• Using older or lower-quality leaves, often picked late.
• Using too many leaves; try 2g per 100ml.
• Water has too many minerals; try using soft water.

Q: How many times can I steep green tea?

A: With high-quality green tea, you can steep it 3–4 times. Stop when the leaves look yellowish.

Q: Is Yixing clay suitable for brewing green tea?

A: It's not advised. Yixing clay keeps heat, so opt for porcelain or glass instead.

Conclusion: Savor Green Tea’s Freshness 

In conclusion, it is important to enjoy the freshness of green tea. Whether you like the rich sweetness of Longjing or the gentle floral taste of Biluochun, your gaiwan helps keep the tea’s delicate flavors. By using this traditional pot, you can make sure each sip brings out the unique tastes and smells of green tea. This lets you fully enjoy the experience.