Colourful Gaiwan Tea Tasting Set

The Gaiwan holds 100mls and each tasting cup holds 30 mls.  It is a good idea before you brew your tea, to pour hot water in the Gaiwan and tasting cups and pour away.  This warms them up to avoid the tea cooling too quickly.

Brew your tea by placing your tea leaves directly in the Gaiwan.  Use 1tsp (2.5g) of leaves.  Then add the hot water at the desired temperature for your tea.  (Remember that green teas should be brewed at around 80 degrees or a couple of minutes after the kettle boils, so that you do not burn the leaves).  Try to avoid pouring the water directly onto the tea leaves and instead, try to first pour along the sides of the Gaiwan.

After this, replace the lid on the Gaiwan and allow the tea to brew. On the first steep, you brew your tea for only one minute.  As you steep your leaves again, you extend the brewing time slightly each time.  When you remove the lid, the unfurled leaves will be clear for you to observe in all their glory.  The wide opening at the top allows for an easy way to observe the leaves and how they have unfurled, which is often fascinating.  Breathe in the scent of the leaves as well.

Brewing tea with a Gaiwan allows you the time to take notice of the amazing details we often miss when brewing tea normally or in a tea bag.  Then, place the lid on the Gaiwan slightly tilted.  This will allow you to use it as a filter to hold the leaves whilst you pour some into your tasting cup.