As stated in tea literature: ‘To enjoy fine tea, one must use a Gaiwan.’ Among the myriad of bowls, cups, pots, and cups, why is the Gaiwan so highly praised? There is a reason for this. A Gaiwan is a type of tea set that features a lid on top, a saucer at the bottom, and a bowl in the middle. Also known as the ‘Three Talents Bowl’ or ‘Three Talents Cup,’ the lid represents heaven, the saucer represents earth, and the bowl represents humans, symbolizing the harmony of heaven, earth, and people. With a saucer, it does not burn the hand, and with a lid, the aroma does not escape. One person can enjoy a solo drink, while multiple people can use it as a pot; at home, one can brew and drink at will, and when going out, it is convenient to carry, making it a ‘versatile tea set.’
01 The Etiquette of Drinking Gaiwan Tea: Gaiwan tea requires warming the cup, then placing tea leaves and pouring water over them, followed by covering with the lid. The steeping time depends on the quantity and type of tea leaves, ranging from 20 seconds to 3 minutes. The tea bowl is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, with the lid fitting inside the bowl, making it less likely to slip off when drinking; the saucer prevents burns.
04 Personal Use Brewing Method: Begin by warming the bowl with water at an appropriate temperature to rinse the lidded bowl. Place the tea by adding an appropriate amount of tea leaves. Generally, the size of a lidded bowl is 140ml, and if you plan to brew only once, it is recommended to use 2 grams of tea leaves. This can be slightly adjusted according to personal preference. Pour water at the appropriate temperature to brew.
When the water level is slightly above full, cover the bowl and let it steep for a moment. Serve the tea by presenting it. Open the bowl lid to appreciate the aroma that has permeated the bottom of the lid, and use the lid to stir the tea soup to appreciate the color of the tea, the posture of the expanded tea leaves, and to ensure the tea concentration is even. Place the lid on the bowl at an angle, leaving a gap large enough to pour out the tea but small enough to filter out the tea leaves, hold the lid knob, and drink from the bowl. In formal settings, lift the bowl with the tray. 05 Group Use Brewing Method: Begin by warming the bowl with water at an appropriate temperature to rinse the lidded bowl. Place the tea by adding tea leaves to the bowl. Appreciate the tea by holding the bowl and admiring the tea leaves yourself before allowing your guests to do the same. When smelling the aroma, only take the bowl and its lid, and after appreciating, immediately cover the lid. Pour the first infusion of tea with water at the required temperature, using a circular motion to pour the water into the lidded bowl, ensuring each tea leaf is fully moistened and heated, revealing a pleasant fragrance. The height of the water pour should be such that the lid does not get wet. Steep by flipping the lid to agitate the tea leaves, allowing them to fully expand. When the water level is slightly above full, cover the bowl and let it steep for a moment before pouring out the tea soup. Pour the tea by using the lidded bowl as a teapot, angling the lid to leave a gap large enough to pour out the tea but small enough to filter out the tea leaves. Hold the lid knob with your thumb and middle finger, and quickly pour the bowl to transfer the tea soup into a fair cup. Serve the tea by holding the fair cup and pouring the tea into individual cups. Present the tea by lifting the tea tray and placing it in front of the guests, allowing them to pick up their cups themselves.
