If you’re looking for a more authentic and enjoyable tea making experience. I highly recommend trying gong fu style brewing or Gong fu tea, Gong fu cha.

Gong fu style brewing is a great way to improve your tea making experience. This brewing method is very popular in China and Taiwan, and it produces a much higher quality cup of tea than traditional Western brewing methods.

What is Gong Fu style brewing?

Gongfu style brewing, also known as the Chinese method of brewing tea. It is a centuries-old practice that involves the use of a small teapot or gaiwan and small cups. The key to this brewing method is in the control of the water temperature and steeping time. And this allows for a more elaborate and complex flavor profile from the tea leaves.

This method of brewing is often used for more premium teas, such as oolongs, puerh and white teas. These teas can stand up to multiple infusions. The gong fu method is also a great way to taste the differences between similar teas, as each infusion will bring out different flavors and aromas.

Gongfu tea has a long history, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). It is believed that this brewing method was first developed by Buddhist monks, who needed a more potent form of tea to keep them awake during long hours of meditation.

Over the centuries, the gongfu tea ceremony has evolved into an art form. Today, it is also a ritualistic practice that can be enjoyed both for its taste and for its therapeutic benefits. The key to making a good cup of gongfu tea is in the preparation. Every element, from the water temperature to the size of the leaves, must be carefully controlled in order to achieve the perfect balance.

How does Gong Fu tea enhancing your tea experience.

There are many benefits of gong fu style brewing, which can enhance your tea making experience, including the following:

1. Improved Flavor – The gong fu style of brewing tea produces a more concentrated cup of tea with a more intense flavor. This is because the small amount of water used in this brewing method extracts more flavor from the tea leaves.
2. More Efficient – The gong fu style of brewing tea is more efficient in extracting the beneficial compounds from the tea leaves. This is because the small amount of water used in this brewing method allows for a higher concentration of these compounds to be extracted from the leaves.
3. Healthier – The gong fu style of brewing tea is healthier because it allows for a higher concentration of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds to be extracted from the leaves. These compounds have been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.
4. Better Quality – The gong fu style of brewing tea produces a higher quality cup of tea than other methods. This is because the small amount of water used in this brewing method allows for a higher concentration of flavor and aroma compounds to be extracted from the leaves.
5. More Aromatic – The gong fu style of brewing tea produces a more aromatic cup of tea than other methods. This is because the small amount of water used in this brewing method allows for a higher concentration of aromatic compounds to be extracted from the leaves.
6. A ceremonial experience – The gong fu style of brewing tea is a ceremonial experience that is said to be relaxing and meditative. This method of brewing tea allows you to slow down and enjoy the process of making tea, which can be a very calming experience.
7. Share with friends – The gong fu style of brewing tea is a great way to share tea with friends. This method of brewing tea produces a more concentrated cup of tea, so it is perfect for sharing. When brewing tea using the gong fu method, it is customary to pour each person’s cup from the same pot. This allows everyone to enjoy the same tea, and it also creates a bonding experience.

How to start on Gong Fu tea

If you feel like trying out gongfu style brewing, it’s important to have all the proper equipment on hand. In addition to a small teapot or gaiwan, a fair cup and tea cups. You’ll need a tea tray, a fair amount of space, and patience! Follow these steps for the perfect cup of gongfu brewed tea:

1. Heat your water to the appropriate temperature for the type of tea you’re using. This step is crucial in ensuring that your tea doesn’t become bitter or astringent.
2. Place your dry tea leaves into the teapot or gaiwan. For most teas, you’ll want to use about 3-5 grams of leaves per 4 ounces of water.
3. Pour a small amount of hot water over the leaves and let them “wash” for a few seconds before discarding the water. This step gets rid of any impurities on the leaves and allows them to unfurl fully.
4. Fill your teapot or gaiwan with hot water and cover with lid. Allow the tea to steep for some time between 5s to 2min, depending on the tea your are brewing. Usually the aged tea needs more steeping time than the fresh tea. Then take off the lid to smell the fragrance of the tea.
5. Gently pour the tea into fair cup. A fair cup is used to temporarily store the tea liquor for later sharing.
6. Pour the tea from fair cup to small cups, filling them about 3/4 full. Take care not to overfill, as this can cause the tea to become diluted and lose its flavor.
7. After everyone has had their first cup, refill the teapot or gaiwan with hot water and cover again. Allow the tea to steep for another round before serving again. Remember for each infusion, you’ll need to add up a small amount of time to last steeping time, to get the best flavor from the tea. Follow the tea brewing instruction from the tea shop, like China Tea Spirit. Repeat this process until the flavor of the tea has dissipated.

Conclusion

There are many ways to brew tea. But gong fu style brewing is definitely one of the best ways to improve your tea making experience. This brewing method allows you to control the tea leaves and water temperature. This will result in a more flavorful cup of tea. Plus, the ritualistic and social experience it brings to us is more sophisticated.

If you’d like to start exploring Gong fu tea, then you may check the authentic gong fu tea wares and the quality loose leaf teas from our shop.

Happy Gong Fu Brewing!