Last update: September 25, 2024.

The term "Gongfu cha" (功夫茶) translates to "skillful tea" or "tea with effort." To breakdown further, "Gongfu" in Mandarin means a study or learning that requires our mindfulness, patience and time to complete.

So Gongfu cha  (功夫茶) means, a brewing method that requires your attention and energy to prepare but the result is peaceful, energizing and engaging. 

It is a very good way to practice mindfulness and stop the noises from outside. 

Reminiscence for Asians 

Depends on the country and culture, our first touchpoint of tea are all different.

In Asia, our grandpa or dad would put a big spoon of loose tea into a small teapot and kept adding water in the same teapot for the whole afternoon. We have the memory of tasting high mountain tea which has a strong floral and fresh vegetal note. But this reminiscence is disappearing for millenniums.

Here's how "Gongfu style" brewing connects small teapot:

• Skillful Brewing: Using a small teapot means a short steeping times and multiple infusions demand careful attention and timing.
• Effort and Appreciation: Gongfu brewing is a mindful practice that encourages a deeper appreciation for the tea without adding additional milk, spices and sugar. 

How can small teapot can help you enjoy your high-quality tea?

• Appreciation of Aroma: Through the small teapot, you can have a concentrated brewing that intensifies the tea's aroma, allowing you to fully enjoy its fragrance. This heightened sensory experience adds another layer of enjoyment to your tea ritual.
  You can book your tea tasting here with us.
  
  
• Multiple Infusions: Small teapots are ideal for the multiple infusions characteristic of Gongfu brewing. Each infusion reveals different layers of flavor and aroma, providing a dynamic tea experience that unfolds with each cup. There are three layers in the tea tasting process:
  
  1/ Aroma from 1st infusion: Awakening process
  2/ Aroma and Taste from 2nd infusion: Tea's true flavour, some people prefer to mix the 1st and 2nd brew into one drink a lot of time.
  3/ Aroma of closure: Depending on the amount of leave you put, in most of the cases, the taste and aroma of tea will start winding down starting from the 3rd infusion.
  
  
• Enhanced Flavor Control: By using a smaller teapots, allow us for greater control over the steeping time and tea-to-water ratio. This precision is crucial in Gongfu brewing, where multiple short infusions are used to extract the full spectrum of flavors from the tea leaves.

How to practice Gong-fu cha at home?

Tools you'll need:

• Small size teapot: 80-150 ml
• Pitcher (for sharing)
• Your favorite teacup
• Water kettle
• Small infuser

Preparation Steps:

1. Warm up the teapot
2. Awaken: Quickly rinse the tea and discard the first infusion.
3. Appreciation: Smell the dry leaf
4. Steep the second infusion for 30 seconds and pour into the pitcher.
5. Share and Enjoy. 
6. Repeat the process for 5 to 10 times. 

* The best tea to water ratio is 1g of tea to 70ml of water.

 To make it even better.

• Keep the water temperature above 90 degrees for the most aromatic results.
• The second to third infusion is the most flavourful ones.