gaiwan travel tea set

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Rare Tea Easy Pour Gaiwan Set

This compact and robust gaiwan tea set contains all you need to make the best loose leaf tea. It comes with a case so that you can take it with you wherever you go. When you are travelling you can take the luxury of loose leaf tea with you, and never have to fall back on teabags.

Inside you will find a beautiful ceramic gaiwan teapot. The lid is designed to hold back the tea leaves and just allow the delicious tea to pour out. You don’t need a tea strainer, a tea filter or a loose tea infuser of any kind. This really is a perfect little loose leaf teapot.

Inside your tea set, you will also find a matching ceramic jug to pour your perfectly infused tea into and three little ceramic cups.

The teapot holds 150ml and the little cups each hold 50ml. Perfect for multiple infusions of your favourite tea. It's ideal for thoughtful sipping through many infusions of your favourite tea, and for sharing with friends or even strangers. Good tea can be like a puppy in the park. It draws people to you. And when you bring out your travelling tea set on a train or in a hotel restaurant you might find people gravitating gently towards you, hoping for an invitation to share a delicious cup of tea with you.

Just want the teapot and don't need the cups? We have just the thing - Rare Tea Easy Pour Gaiwan Teapot.

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Paeonia Delavayi Portable Travel Gaiwan Tea Set

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Paeonia Delavayi Design: The tea set is adorned with a design inspired by Paeonia delavayi, a species of peony native to China. The intricate floral motifs add an elegant and traditional touch to the set.

Portable and Travel-Friendly: This tea set is designed for portability and convenience. It typically includes a gaiwan (lidded bowl), teacups, and a travel bag. The set's compact size and secure packaging make it ideal for travel, picnics, or tea sessions in different settings.

Complete Tea Set: The set typically includes all the essential components for brewing and enjoying tea, including a gaiwan, teacups. This allows you to have a complete tea experience while traveling.

Gaiwan Brewing: The gaiwan is a versatile teacup suitable for steeping a variety of teas. Its lid and bowl design makes it easy to brew and pour tea while maintaining precise control over the steeping process.

Durable Materials: Travel tea sets are often made from high-quality materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or glass, which are durable and heat-resistant. These materials ensure that your tea set can withstand the rigors of travel.

Tea Anywhere: With this travel gaiwan tea set, you can enjoy the art of tea preparation and the flavors of your favorite teas wherever you are. It's perfect for those who want to maintain their tea rituals even while away from home.

• Material:  Porcelain
• Package include: 1*Tea lid, 1*Tea Bowl, 2*Tea Cups, 1*Travelling Bag

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The product will ship within 1-3 business day after purchase, and delivery will take around 10-20 business days. Delivery may take a longer time in holiday shopping season.

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When oriental gaiwan meet western latte

Tea Ceremony

Coffee Latte Art

Due to the unique wide-openning design of the bowl, the gaiwan is more suitable for latte art than traditional coffee cups, as it provides a larger surface area for drawing your latte art patterns.

Additionally, unlike materials such as plastic, glass, and pottery, the porcelain used to make the gaiwan is a neutral, non-porous material that does not absorb the flavor of your drink, making your coffee taste more fragrant and delicious.

What's Gaiwan Tea Set?

A gaiwan is a small lidded bowl, usually made of porcelain, ceramic or glass. It holds 100-150 ml and is used for brewing and serving tea. The lid is round and flat with a handle for easy lifting. It controls temperature, infusion time and strains loose leaves. The lid does not affect the tea's flavor. Unlike metal or plastic teapots, porcelain does not alter the taste. This ensures full, authentic flavor from the tea leaves. Gaiwans are important in traditional Chinese tea culture. They are essential tools for preparing tea. In tea ceremonies, leaves go in the gaiwan. Hot water is added. The lid controls steeping time. Guests often drink directly from the gaiwan or pass it around. Gaiwans are prized for their simplicity and versatility. They allow precise control over brewing and can make any tea: green, black, oolong or pu-erh. Today, tea enthusiasts use gaiwans for loose-leaf tea worldwide. Gaiwans also have cultural significance and beauty. Handcrafted gaiwans may have intricate decorations, making a unique addition to any tea set. Some key benefits of gaiwans:

• They do not affect flavor. Porcelain extracts only the tea's essence.
• They enable control and customization. The lid controls steeping time for optimal flavor from each leaf. More leaf or longer steep for subsequent cups.
• They facilitate a creative, hands-on process. Adjusting water temperature and leaf amount produces nuanced flavor with each cup.
• They have cultural meaning. Gaiwans represent a traditional tea ceremony and passing of tea as a shared, valued custom.
• They offer versatility. Gaiwans work for all teas: green, black, oolong, pu-erh as well as snacks, rice or other small foods.
• They provide aesthetic value. Decorative, handcrafted gaiwans become treasured objects of beauty and memories.
• They inspire mindfulness. The focused, hands-on process of preparing tea with a gaiwan cultivates presence and appreciate for simple moments.

In summary, gaiwans embody the philosophy that the journey is as important as the destination. They make the preparation and sharing of tea an art, rather than a habit. When using a gaiwan, each gesture becomes meaningful, and each cup a new creation.

How to use Gaiwan tea set?

• Fill the gaiwan with dry tea leaves : Place a small amount of tea leaves in the gaiwan, making sure not to overfill the bowl. The amount depends on the tea and personal preference.
• Heat the gaiwan and rinse the tea leaves : Fill the gaiwan with hot water (around 85-90°C) and swirl to rinse the leaves. This removes dust/debris and warms the bowl for steeping.
• Steep the tea : Discard the rinse water and add hot water to the gaiwan. Put the lid on and steep the tea for 2-5 minutes as desired. The lid controls steeping time and can be removed to check strength.
• Pour the tea : Hold the gaiwan by the handle and pour the tea into a cup or pitcher, avoiding leaves. Refill the gaiwan with water and re-steep as needed for more cups.
• Enjoy the tea : Savor the aroma and flavor. Adjust steeping time and water temperature for next steeps.

Note: Use water at the correct temperature for the tea. Too hot extracts bitterness, too cool produces a weak tea. A thermometer ensures accuracy. The keys to good tea from a gaiwan are:

• Using a quality tea and properly heating the gaiwan to avoid bitterness or weakness.
• Rinsing the tea leaves briefly to remove debris before steeping. This helps the leaves unfurl and infuse the liquor.
• Measuring the tea leaves and water volume carefully for each steep. Start with a lower leaf amount, as re-steeping the same leaves reduces flavor. Add a bit more leaf for subsequent steeps if desired.
• Timing each steep to avoid over-extraction. Check the tea, discard excess leaves and adjust time up or down for the next steep.
• Allowing space for oxygenation between steeps. Pouring the tea into a separate container allows it to sit and breathe before the next steep. This helps maintain color and prevent bitterness.
• Adjusting the water temperature and leaf amount to achieve your perfect flavor for each steep. The process of repeatedly steeping one batch of leaves allows for customization and nuance.
• Appreciating the process and results. Savoring fresh, high-quality tea prepared with care and skill enhances the overall experience of gaiwan brewing.

Why does tea taste better when using a porcelain Gaiwan tea set?

Porcelain is a neutral material that does not interfere with the flavor of the tea. Unlike metal or plastic teapots, porcelain does not alter the taste of the tea, ensuring that you get the full, authentic flavor of the tea leaves.

A gaiwan allows for greater control over the steeping process, giving more control over steeping time and water temperature. This helps bring out the optimal flavors and aromas of the tea leaves.

The lid of the gaiwan can be used to strain loose tea leaves, ensuring only the tea liquid ends up in your cup without any bits of leaves or debris. This not only results in a cleaner and more pleasant-tasting tea, but also helps prevent the tea from becoming too strong or bitter.

In  traditional Chinese tea  culture, gaiwans are often used in a ceremonial setting. This adds an element of ritual and tradition to the tea-drinking experience. This can enhance the overall enjoyment, making it a more meaningful and special experience.

While using a porcelain  gaiwan tea  set may result in a better-tasting tea, the quality of the tea leaves and the brewing process are still the most important factors in determining the taste of the tea. A high-quality tea, brewed with the proper technique and water temperature, will taste good regardless of the brewing device.

In summary, the gaiwan allows for greater control, precision and nuance in preparing tea. Its material and design help produce a purer flavor and higher-quality cup of tea. However, the gaiwan alone does not make a good tea. Following traditional methods using high-quality tea leaves and the proper technique remain key to unlocking the potential benefits of a gaiwan and achieving an excellent tasting tea. The gaiwan enhances the  tea drinking experience  but does not replace it. With this in mind, a gaiwan can be appreciated for what it offers - more nuanced preparation and a ceremonial element - rather than viewed as solely responsible for better flavor.

Could I use Gaiwan for drinking coffee, milk or other beverage?

The gaiwan is useful for more than just preparing tea. It can also be used for coffee, milk, hot soup, and other drinks. A gaiwan provides the same benefits for coffee as it does for tea. This includes control over steeping time and water temperature, the ability to strain loose coffee grounds, and using a material that does not affect the flavor.

Some people find additional uses for gaiwans as small bowls or containers. They may hold condiments, nuts, candies, or  other small  items in their gaiwans.

The versatility of gaiwans makes them handy and multifunctional kitchen and tabletop tools. They are not limited to tea preparation alone. Gaiwans can enhance the experience of brewing and enjoying  many hot  beverages or snacks. Their usefulness comes from providing more control and less interference over flavors while also offering extra storage space. With some creativity, a single gaiwan can serve many purposes in the home.

Whether steeping leaf or bean, a gaiwan brings out the pure essence of a drink without imparting its own taste. This versatility and ability to let other flavors shine through is why the gaiwan has become a popular vessel in many traditions and continues to spread to new culinary customs. There are  many benefits  to adopting the gaiwan beyond simply preparing Chinese tea.

How to choose the Gaiwan?

• Material: Porcelain is the traditional material for gaiwans, and is considered the best option for brewing tea. Porcelain is a neutral material that does not interfere with the flavor of the tea, ensuring that you get the full, authentic flavor of the tea leaves.
• Capacity: Gaiwans typically come in small sizes, making them suitable for brewing single servings of tea. Consider the size of the gaiwan and the amount of tea you typically brew when choosing the right size for your needs.
• Ease of use: Look for a gaiwan with a comfortable handle and a secure lid that fits snugly on the rim of the gaiwan. A gaiwan with an  easy-to-use lid  will make it easier to strain the tea and prevent spills.
• Aesthetics: Gaiwans come in a variety of styles and designs, and choosing one that appeals to your personal style can make the tea-drinking experience more enjoyable.
• Price: Gaiwans can range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, depending on the material, quality, and design. Consider your budget when choosing a gaiwan, but keep in mind that a higher-priced gaiwan may offer better quality and durability in the long run.
• Handmade : Handmade gaiwans are often made by skilled artisans and may feature unique designs, making them a distinctive addition to your tea collection. It also made from higher-quality materials than mass-produced gaiwans, which can result in a longer lifespan for the gaiwan and a more authentic tea-drinking experience. Ceramics and porcelains products in Glorious Collection are mostly handmade products which carefully made under the following 14 procedures: materials selecting, kneading mud, shaping, drying in shade, triming, biscuiting,paint under the glaze, glazing, load in kiln, firing, taking out from the kiln, decoration firing, finished work. 

When selecting a gaiwan, consider your personal preferences, needs, and budget, and look for a gaiwan that offers a comfortable and easy-to-use design, a neutral material that does not interfere with the flavor of the tea, and a capacity that suits your needs.

Is the Gaiwan a great choice for gifts? What's the implied meaning about Gaiwan？

Yes, Gaiwan will be a great gift for parents, friends, business partner or people who enjoys tea. As in  traditional Chinese  culture, the gaiwan has been viewed as a symbol of wealth, healthy, friendship, good luck and prosperity for a number of reasons:

• Porcelain material : The gaiwan is often made from porcelain, a material that was once considered valuable and rare in China. Owning a porcelain gaiwan was seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
• Auspicious symbols : The gaiwan is often decorated with auspicious symbols, such as dragons, peonies, and other symbols of longevity and good fortune. Drinking tea from a gaiwan decorated with such symbols was seen as a way of inviting good luck and prosperity into one's life.
• Gift giving : In some cultures, giving a gaiwan as a gift was believed to bring good luck in business. The recipient would be able to enjoy a good cup of tea and relax, thereby helping them to make better business decisions.
• Relaxation : Drinking tea from a gaiwan was seen as a way to relax and unwind, which was believed to help with decision-making and overall success in life.

It's important to note that these beliefs and meanings are not universal and may vary between different cultural and historical contexts. However, the gaiwan has long been associated with good luck and prosperity in many traditional Chinese cultures. Whether viewed as a symbol of wealth, a source of relaxation, or a gift that brings good luck, the gaiwan has a rich cultural history that is closely tied to the tradition of tea-drinking in China.

Different aesthetic experience

We work with over 100 artisans across 20 different ethnic minorities. Glorious Collection provides customers with a visual feast of oriental minority aesthetic experience. Our handiwork range from traditional tea set, embroidery bags, Tibetan Silver, Mala beads, Thangka, The Miao Silver,to different jewelry with traditional and cultural designs.

In today’s industrialized world, many artisans now struggle with challenging times.By supporting our artisans, sustainable sourcing helps to preserve local cultural heritage. Through prioritizing products made by local indigenous craftspeople, businesses can help with artistic practices and craftsmanship.

Social responsibilities

We apply a portion of our profits to support our artisans, an endeavor we believe will honor both handcrafting heritage and the economy.Sustainable sourcing takes working with indigenous groups and respectfully understanding about their traditional culture to ensure the ethical sourcing of products. This support helps artisans to continue their crafting work and carry forward their cultural traditions to future generations.

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Porcelain Travel Set

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Everything you need to gongfu on the go.  These molded cases are sturdy and are a perfect fit to hold your teaware snug on all your travels.  The 100ml gaiwan and three cups are smooth porcelain and nest inside each other with a tea towel to fold between the layers.  The gaiwan fills the cups exactly, but there's a pitcher in case you travel solo or in pairs.  

Choose between black, red or grey cases.  Each one has a keychain attachment so you'll never lose it. 

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Qin Zhou Nixing Clay "Bamboo“ Easy Gaiwan by Hu Ying Jia

Qin Zhou Ni Xing pottery has a history of over 1300 years. It is one of the "four famous" styles of pottery produced in China, along with Yi Xing, ...

Pretty in Pastel Gaiwan Cups and Strainer

A nice ceramic tea set with a lovely pastel glazing!  Gaiwan, Cups, and Strainer can be purchased together as a set or separately! Gaiwan - 165ml m...

Gold Leaf Print Gaiwan and Cups Travel Set

Lovely gold on white porcelain motif!  Gaiwan with matching cups, glass cha hai, and a cloth cha bu are included in this set.  Everything comes in ...

Osmanthus Bough De Hua Porcelain Gaiwan and Cups

Lovely De Hua Jade Porcelain Gaiwan and Cups with a Osmanthus Bough motif!   Stunning translucent material with a solid heavy feeling, and excellen...

Lotus Black and Silver Clay Gaiwan

Hand-crafted in a Dehua (Fujian) studio from Nixing (Qin Zhou) clay this stunning gaiwan with dish could be a welcome addition to your gong fu tea ...

Pipa and Harp Players Dunhuang Style Gaiwan

A lovely gaiwan created in the style of Dunhuang Silk Road era art!  The motif features pipa and harp players with the colors and styles reminiscen...

Jian Shui Clay "Bamboo Weaving" Gaiwan by Xiong Liang Hui

The history of Jian Shui purple pottery, which is also known as Southern Yunnan red jade, goes back hundreds of years. During the Song dynasty it w...

Jian Shui Black Clay Easy Gaiwan by Wang Can

Qin zhou nixing clay "dragon & phoenix“ easy gaiwan by hu ying jia, jian shui white clay easy gaiwan by wang can, desert sunset wood-fire kiln glazed gaiwan.

Lovely wood-fire kiln glazed gaiwan reminds us desert sunsets! Each of these gaiwans is unique, and as such the color, thickness and patterns of th...

Jian Shui Pottery "White Clay" Gaiwan by Wang Can

Blue swirl ceramic gaiwan.

Swirled blue on white ceramic gaiwan.  Small size, wide, and very easy to hold in the hand.   Stunning swirl effect! Volume:  100ml (to lip) / 85ml...

Yunnan Sourcing Logo Cups and Gaiwan Set * 2023 Edition

A new premium quality Yunnan Sourcing Logo Gaiwan and Cup set for 2023! Ceramic material, heavy with medium thickness.  Excellent heat retention. C...

Mother of Pearl Glazed Ceramic Gaiwan

This is a lovely ceramic gaiwan with a unique Mother of Pearl style glazing on it.  It's a pedestal style gaiwan (without a saucer).   The lid sits...

Qin Zhou Nixing Clay Easy Gaiwan by Yuan Chan Jie

Jian shui pottery "swirled red and white clay" gaiwan, jian shui pottery "swirled black and white clay" gaiwan, pink and green pastel gaiwan for gong fu cha.

Simple and elegant gaiwans with two color choices!   No saucer, no fuss gaiwan! Volume 130ml (+/- 10ml)

Ru Yao Celadon Gaiwan and Cups

Ru Yao Kiln celadon wares originate from Henan province. The technique was perfected in the Song Dynasty. The glaze used is unique and contains som...

Jingdezhen Raw Ore "Pink Cream" Wood-Fired Kiln Gaiwan

A lovely raw ore pink glazed gaiwan that was small-batch fired in a wood fire kiln.  The wood fire high temperature firing gives the glazing a uniq...

Jingdezhen Wood-Fired Kiln White Porcelain Gaiwan

This is Jingdezhen White Porcelain that was fired in a wood-fired kiln.  Pure Jingdezhen White Porcelain material is used but then fired in a wood ...

Qin Zhou Nixing Clay "Lotus" Gaiwan by Yuan Chan Jie

Mutton fat jade porcelain easy gaiwan with infuser and cups.

Mutton Fat Jade Porcelain is a unique porcelain style from Dehua (Fujian) that is aesthetically pleasing but also has excellent heat retention and ...

Jianzhan "Cobalt Blue" Hand-Made Stoneware Gaiwan

Our Jianzhan wares crafted by lifetime Jianzhan pottery veteran Wu Hong Hua. Jianzhan wares are from Jianyang town in Fujian Province.  They became...

De Hua "Pink Jade" Jingdezhen Porcelain Tea Set

De Hua "Jade Porcelain" (玉瓷) is a special process that involves very high firing temperatures to create a semi-translucent porcelain that is very u...

Easy Gaiwan with Automatic Infuser and Cups

Incredibly unique easy gaiwan automatic brewing system, comes with three cups and form-fitted carrying case that makes taking your gong fu session ...

Yixing Qing Shui Ni Clay Easy Gaiwan For Gong Fu Cha

Lovely Yixing Qing Shui Ni Clay "easy gaiwan" makes brewing tea gong fu style easy!   No need to position your fingers or the gaiwan lid just right...

Cobalt Blue Ceramic Gaiwan for Gong Fu Tea Brewing

Classic shaped ceramic cobalt blue gaiwan for gong fu tea brewing! Volume 110ml (+/- 10ml)

Aqua Blue Ceramic Gaiwan for Gong Fu Tea Brewing

Classic shaped ceramic aqua blue gaiwan for gong fu tea brewing! Volume 110ml (+/- 10ml)

Red Ceramic Gaiwan for Gong Fu Tea Brewing

Classic shaped ceramic red gaiwan for gong fu tea brewing! Volume 110ml (+/- 10ml)

Bamboo Motif Jingdezhen Porcelain Gaiwan

Lovely matte Jingdezhen porcelain gaiwan!  Very nice look and feel with good symmetry. Volume is 150ml (+/- 10ml)  

Ceramic "Pastel Sunrise" Gaiwan and Cups

Lovely pastel glazed ceramic gaiwan and cups!  Excellent craftsmanship and a perfect addition for your gong fu tea brewing experience! Gaiwan and C...

Jianzhan "Tortoise Shell" Hand-Made Stoneware Gaiwan and Cups

Portable porcelain and glass tea set * service for 4.

Lovely Porcelain and Glass Tea Set!  Easy Brewer Gaiwan fits into a glass cha hai.  Four stackable porcelain cups fit inside the brewer.  It all co...

Hawthorn Branch Porcelain Gaiwan and Cups

A lovely Hawthorn Branch motif gaiwan and cups made from high quality jade porcelain!  Very nice look and feel! Gaiwan Volume:  115ml (+/- 10ml mea...

Rose Bush Travel Tea Set With Easy Gaiwan and Cups

Lovely glazed ceramic tea set includes easy gaiwan, two cups, and cloth coaster in a convenient padded travel case.   A travel set that is as funct...

Life on the River Jingdezhen Porcelain Gaiwan and Cups

Lovely river scene with gradient style glazing for the background with colorful foreground fisherman, flora, and fauna. Gaiwan Volume:  200ml (+/- ...

Competition Tasting Set Made from White Porcelain

This is a high quality porcelain Competition Tasting Set! Nice design with an elegant look and feel to it! Brewing Mug Volume is 160ml Large Cup Vo...

Jian Shui Clay Easy Gaiwan

Jingdezhen gold rimmed "honey" porcelain gaiwan.

Jingdezhen Honey Porcelain (蜜瓷) Gaiwan with gold-colored highlights! Seems to glow under the right light!  Beautiful piece! Volume:  155ml (+/- 10ml)

Sunrise Contemplation Gaiwan and Cups Set

Lovely pink sunrise motif!  Matchin Gaiwan and Cups, which can also be purchased separately! High quality gaiwan and cups with excellent touch and ...

White Porcelain "Blue Bamboo" Hand-Painted Gaiwan and Tea Cups

Lovely Jingdezhen Porcelain gaiwan and tea cups with hand-painted blue bamboo motif!  Gaiwan and Cups may be purchased together or separately. Ther...

Plum Blossoms Gaiwan and Tea Boat with Optional Matching Cups

This is a lovely tea set made from Jingdezhen porcelain.  The tea boat and gaiwan come as a set in a lovely box.  The cups can be purchased in sets...

Jian Shui Clay Easy Gaiwan and Cup Set

Desert and sky glazed ceramic gaiwan and cups.

This glazed ceramic gaiwan and cups delivers the feeling of the desert and sky on a sunny winter day! Gaiwan and Cups sold separately or as a set! ...

Jianzhan "Oil Spot" Hand-Made Stoneware Gaiwan

Jianzhan "rainbow on red" hand-made stoneware gaiwan.

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What is a gaiwan.

Among all teaware, a gaiwan is the most widely used in China. If you aren't familiari with such teaware, you may think it's meant for drinking tea. Yet, the most common application of a traditional gaiwan is to prepare tea. The advantage of using a cup to steep is because it’s easier to observe the leaves compared to a teapot. Moreover, when the tea is almost done you can take of the lid and smell the inner surface to appreciate the aroma of the tea.

This piece of teaware can be made from different materials such as Yixing zisha clay, glass, Jingdezhen porcelain or jade, each with their different advantages and disadvantages.

Are you ready to take your tea brewing to the next level? Then read this guide first: How to use a gaiwan?

If you’re brewing more oxidised teas such as oolong or pu erh, you might wonder why you should go for a gaiwan instead of a Yixing teapot. Read our explanation here: gaiwan versus yixing .

Easy Gaiwan Set

While traditional gaiwans have their advantages, they aren't very easy to use at the beginning. If you don't use them carefully, you might burn your hands or just end up with a messy table. To make it easier to brew tea, yet maintain the gaiwan experience, the 'Easy Gaiwan' was developed. These vessels have a somewhat modified design that allows for a better grip and easier pouring experience.

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If you’re ready for some fun gaiwan brewing, then make sure to browse this category page. Our whole collection is curated by experts and are made from authentic materials.

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Travel Gaiwan Set

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This Travel Gaiwan Set will be every tea stan's best friend on-the-go! Not just for travel, this set is also great for picnics, for slipping into your bag and taking to the office or to a friend's house, because one must always be prepared to drink proper tea. 

With 3 cups, an ultra-fine strainer, a Gaiwan, a pitcher, and a protective casing; this set will ensure that you can instantly make loose leaf tea anytime, anywhere (all you'll need is a source of hot water)! 

Material:   Porcelain

Usage Instructions:  Unzip the case to carefully remove the contents. Stack the contents back into the pitcher and finally the protective case in exactly the reverse order in which they were removed in. 

Care Instructions:  Dishwasher safe. Do not place it in the microwave.

Origin:  China. 

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Explore our range of glass, porcelain and clay Gainwans that allow you to authentically brew and serve tea the Chinese way. Gaiwans have been in use in China since the Ming Dynasty and our traditional Zhong designs come glazed or unglazed and include a bowl, lid and saucer.

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Unglazed Gaiwan - 100ml

This traditional set of teaware offers an authentic way to enjoy all your favourite Chinese speciality loose-leaf teas, allowing for multiple steepings of each.

Handcrafted in China

Large Gaiwan - 300ml

A must for serious tea lovers, this authentic Chinese lidded tea cup and saucer can be used to experience multiple steepings of all your luxury loose-leaf teas.

Ultimate Tea Tasting Set - Porcelain

Made from smooth white porcelain, this luxury tasting set is essential for anyone looking to take their experience of tea to the next level.

Gaiwan Tea Set - Large Portable Design

Packed in a stylish cotton zip-up bag, this ceramic gaiwan travel set allows you to experience and share the beauty of loose-leaf teas wherever you go.

Handcrafted in Taiwan

Gaiwan Tea Set - Small Portable Design

This traditional gaiwan travel kit can accompany you on your travels or at the office so you can brew the perfect cup of loose-leaf tea wherever you go.

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Shop Gaiwans: How to Brew Tea with Gaiwan

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Gaiwan Wonderland: Exploring the Art of Tea Ceremony and the Elegant Journey of Tea Brewing

For centuries, people have been enjoying tea, and as the world of tea has evolved, so the ways of tea brewing method has changed too. The Gaiwan is a traditional Chinese brewing vessel that has been used for brewing tea for centuries, especially Chinese tea.

The Gaiwan is composed of three parts: a lid, a bowl, and a saucer. The lid helps to retain the heat and aroma of the tea, while the saucer and bowl make it easier to pour and drink the tea.

If you are unfamiliar with using a Gaiwan to brew tea, here is a comprehensive guide to help you get started.

1. Select a Gaiwan

When selecting a Gaiwan, it is important to consider size and material. Gaiwans come in various sizes, and the ideal size depends on the type of tea you are brewing and the number of people you are serving. As for materials, the material of the Gaiwan does indeed have an impact on the brewed tea. Different materials of Gaiwans have different performances in terms of heat retention, aroma release, and mouthfeel. Here are some common Gaiwan materials and their impact on brewing tea:

In summary, the material of the Gaiwan does indeed have an impact on brewing tea. When selecting a Gaiwan, consider your preferences and the type of tea you want to brew for the best tea-tasting experience.

2. Prepare the Gaiwan

Before brewing, rinse the Gaiwan and other teaware with hot water or the water used to rinse the tea leaves to remove any dust or debris, to prevent impurities from affecting the taste of the tea. After rinsing, pour the Gaiwan into hot water and let it sit for a few minutes to preheat the container.

3. Choose the Tea Leaves

The amount of tea you use depends on the size of the Gaiwan and the type of tea you are brewing. Generally, use one teaspoon of tea per six ounces of water. However, if you are brewing tightly rolled teas such as oolong or black tea, you may need to use a little more.

4. Brew the Tea

When brewing tea, add the measured tea leaves to a bowl and pour in hot water. Cover the bowl with the lid and slowly pour the hot water along the edge of the bowl, allowing the water to better penetrate the tea leaves and extract their flavor. At the same time, you can control the steeping time based on the type of tea and your personal taste. The first infusion can be shorter (15-30 seconds), and the subsequent infusions can have a slightly longer steeping time.

5. Pouring the Tea

Cover the lidded bowl with the lid, and hold the sides of the bowl's opening with your thumb and middle finger, while pressing the lid with your index finger to maintain a tilted angle and leave a gap. This allows the tea to flow through the gap into the fair cup, while preventing the tea leaves from pouring out. The fair cup ensures a consistent concentration of your tea, better showcasing its aroma and color while also allowing you to distribute the tea more easily to the tea tasters.

6. Cleaning and Maintenance after Tea Tasting

After brewing tea, promptly clean the lidded bowl to avoid tea stain residue. After use, turn the teacup upside down to dry faster, and finally store it in a well-ventilated, dry place.

These are some techniques for brewing tea with a lidded bowl. Mastering these methods will allow you to better appreciate the wonderful taste of tea. In summary, brewing tea with a gaiwan is a simple and elegant way of tea tasting. With a little practice, you will be able to brew your favorite tea to perfection and appreciate its flavor and aroma in a whole new way.

How To Brew Tea With A Gaiwan: A Complete Beginners Guide

Posted on Published: February 10, 2023  - Last updated: December 19, 2023

Categories Tea , Tea Tips

A gaiwan is a traditional Chinese teapot used to taste and drink tea . It can be part of the Chinese gongfu cha brewing method or it can be used on its own.

I only recently made the leap to buy a gaiwan (and the full gong fu cha set), and I wish I had done it sooner. It’s quite possibly the best way to enjoy tea , and should be the next step on your tea tasting journey.

This is everything you need to know to brew tea with a gaiwan teapot.

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

First, What’s A Gaiwan?

A gaiwan is a type of Chinese tea pot that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. In mandarin, gaiwan literally translates to covered bowl (Gai – Lid, Wan – bowl). And that’s exactly what it is.

A gaiwan can be used as part of the Chinese gongfu cha brewing method, but it can also be used on its own as a way of steeping tea.

It’s important to note that using a gaiwan is not ceremonial at all (unlike a Japanese matcha ceremony ).

With this brew method, tea leaves are added directly to the gaiwan without using any strainers . It is all about multiple (and quick) infusions that uses a higher tea to water ratio.

Why Use A Gaiwan Teapot To Brew Tea?

I really enjoy using a gaiwan teapot because it offers a lot of control, and helps you taste and appreciate each tea a lot more. It’s not about precise timing, or measurements, but more about feeling the tea!

It adds so much more flexibility to your steep, similar to Grandpa style tea brewing because you aren’t using any strainers. This allows you to add more tea or take out as you steep. Unlike grandpa style tea though, you actually stop the infusions by pouring out the water into a teacup.

A gaiwan teapot also for easier tea tasting . You can smell the gaiwan lid and the cup for aromas. And because it’s based around short infusions, you’re able to see how the taste, smell, and even the look of your tea changes over time .

You might also be interested in reading…

• Tea Tasting Tips For Beginners – A Step By Step Guide

Aside from tasting tea, I really enjoy using a gaiwan because it allows me to take a step back in the middle of my day to focus on something else.

Instead of boiling water, adding a tea bag, and getting back to whatever it was I was doing, I’m able to relax with my tea for a while. It allows me to be present in the moment and really notice the tea I’m drinking for a change.

I really enjoy the whole process of gong fu cha as well (if you decide to invest in the entire gongfu cha set read more about the Chinese tea session here !).

What You Need To Brew Tea With A Gaiwan

The only thing you really need to brew tea in a gaiwan is your primary tea vessel, which in this case will be your gaiwan teapot .

A Gaiwan doesn’t have to be expensive either, I got mine from Camelia Sinensis ( here ), but you can find them on Amazon, like this one here .

You will also need a small teacup (Chábēi – tea cups, or Pin bēi – tasting cups) to pour your tea into once it’s steeped. This can be a small porcelain cup like this one here or the double walled mugs that I prefer ( like these ) to keep my tea warm. But again, you can use any cup that you have at home.

Those are the two main things you’ll need to brew tea with a Gaiwan. Or you can get a few more things…

Temperature Controlled Gooseneck Kettle

If you’re using your gaiwan for different types of tea (not just black tea) you’ll want to invest in a kettle that can heat up water to different temperatures .

Each type of tea has an ideal temperature for optimal steeping – otherwise you risk burning the tea leaves .

A gooseneck kettle will give you more precision when pouring water over your tea (there are specific ways to pour the water to make your tea move in a specific direction, which I cover later on).

The most popular temperature controlled gooseneck kettle is the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle (or see it on Amazon here ). Although this is definitely pricey, a good option at a more reasonable price is the Cosori Smart Electric Kettle ( see it on Amazon ).

For more electric kettle options for tea, click here …

There are no strict measurements for how much tea to use in a gaiwan teapot. But you can follow weight measurements when you’re just starting out to get a feel for how much you like. This way, if it was too much, you can easily reduce the amount for the next steep (or vice versa).

I like this digital scale from Amazon here (see a similar one on Amazon.com here ).

These are the amounts that I found for each type of tea (per 100 ml)

Green & Yellow : 3 – 3.5 g White : 3.5 – 4g Black : 4 – 4.5g Oolong : 4.5 – 5g Pu’erh : 5g Ball Oolong : 6 – 6.5g

Tea Tasting Notes & Guide

You might be interested in my digital and printable tea tasting notes & guide to take your tea tasting to the next level. See it on Etsy.

Tea Tray Or Tea Boat

There’s no hiding it – when you brew tea with a gaiwan, it’s messy! Be prepared for some spillage when pouring water into and out of your gaiwan!

So to handle the mess, invest in a tea tray or a tea boat ( like this one ). This will catch any water that you spill.

While it’s not required, it’s definitely helpful in avoiding a big mess. Sometimes I even just use a tea towel underneath instead.

Tea Accessories You’ll Need To Brew Tea With A Gaiwan

A Tea Strainer

This is another optional tea accessory to brew tea with a gaiwan. Obviously, you won’t be using any steeper in the gaiwan teapot – your tea is loose in your vessel.

When you pour your tea into your teacup, some small tea leaves might get through the gap of the gaiwan lid – this is normal. If it bothers you though, you can opt to use a strainer (can be as basic as this one on Amazon) to catch any stray tea leaves.

Just place it over your teacup before you pour.

Alternatively, you can just dispose of what’s left at the bottom of the teacup. Sometimes I just pour it right back into the gaiwan for the next infusion.

What To Look For When Buying Your First Gaiwan

You can just choose a gaiwan teapot purely based on aesthetics – that’s kind of what I did for my first one because I didn’t really know what I was looking for.

But! There are a few things that you should consider before buying…

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The Size Of Your Gaiwan

There are different sizes of gaiwan teapots from small to large, to tall and narrow!

You’ll want to consider the size of your hand , but also how much tea you want to steep each time. They range from 100 to 200 ml. If you’re serving a few guests, you might want a larger one. If it’s just for you, a smaller one should suffice.

If you’re able, it’s always best to try out a gaiwan before buying it to see how the size feels in your hand first.

What Material Should Your Gaiwan Be?

Gaiwans can be made of glass, porcelain, and even clay !

If you’re interested in seeing the colour of the brew and the tea leaves, a glass Gaiwan is always fun. But this will be the least heat resistant of all the materials (it will heat up the quickest). So, I wouldn’t recommend a glass Gaiwan for black teas (or beginners… I made that mistake!).

Porcelain is the most common material used to make a gaiwan teapot. You’ll want one that is white inside to be able to see the colour of your infusion.

A clay Gaiwan will be the most heat resistant but also the heaviest (so it’s harder to hold in your hand). Plus, these typically do not come in white – making it harder to see the colour of the tea liquor once steeped.

Extra Considerations For Beginners

Try to look for a gaiwan with a taller lip (edges). The lip is the part that goes above the lid when covered. The taller it is, the cooler it will be to hold (the heat takes longer to rise).

P.S. The Lid Won’t Sit Perfectly On the Gaiwan Most Of The Time…

They are made this way. If you want a better seal when steeping, you can cover it with hot water.

How To Hold A Gaiwan (& Pour Tea!)

Holding and pouring from a gaiwan will take practice ! I still can’t do it like the pros, but I feel like I’ve definitely improved. I used to burn my fingers every time – now it’s only when I forget about the tea and let it steep for too long… oops!

You want to move the lid slightly to create the smallest crescent moon gap between the gaiwan and the lid. This is where the water will come out, and the lid will hold your tea back.

Before you ever put hot water in your gaiwan, try holding and tilting it without anything inside. Once you think you’ve mastered the grip, add cold water and pour. There’s no need to rush this process. And finally, once you’re comfortable with the grip you’re ready to brew tea with a gaiwan!

There are a few ways to hold a gaiwan , but none are ‘the right way’. If you can tilt it and pour tea out, then it works. Find the grip that you’re most comfortable with.

The 4 Recommended Ways To Hold A Gaiwan

There are 4 common ways to hold a gaiwan teapot. Like I said, try them all out see which one you like best. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t have to be any of these.

I have small hands, so I opted to buy a smaller gaiwan and use the double handed hamburger grip at the start . I then went to a single handed, and now I’ve actually graduated to the single handed goosehead grip and a larger gaiwan (only slightly larger!).

As long as you aren’t burning yourself, and you’re getting tea into the cup, you’re pouring properly!

Goosehead, Yin Grip, Overhand Grip

This is the most popular and ‘elegant’ grip.

You’re going to set the opening of the gaiwan directly in front of you.

Using your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, hold it out like a claw to grasp the cup and the lid. Your thumb and middle finger will be lightly grasping the edges (lip) of the gaiwan.

Remember – lightly gripping ! They’re simply holding it in place, but you don’t want to hold it too tightly, otherwise it will get very hot very fast!

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Your index finger will be doing all the heavy lifting. It will hold the lid in place while you tilt the gaiwan away from you. It should lay flat on top of the point – merely holding it in place.

There are a few variations as well. You can tilt the gaiwan to the side instead of in front of you. This is known as the side overhand grip .

Or, if you have enormously large hands, you can also opt to hold the saucer with your thumb and middle finger. This will obviously be the coolest option for your fingers – I don’t even dare attempt it though.

The Farmer Grip

The farmer hold is similar to the goosehead grip. You’re using the same three fingers and holding it in the same way.

The only difference is how your index finger holds the top of the lid. Instead of laying it flat on top of the point, you’re going to use your knuckle or the tip of your finger .

You may notice that most gaiwan lids have a divot in the centre of the lid point. This is where your index finger rests to hold the lid in place.

Hamburger Style Grip

The hamburger grip is the best gaiwan tea grip for beginners – don’t try to impress anyone with a one handed grip just yet. There’s no shame in using a two handed grip, and it’ll just make your life easier!

This grip is exactly what it sounds like – hold your gaiwain like you would to eat a hamburger (or veggie burger!). Place the gaiwan and cup directly in front of you (with the cup in front of your gaiwain).

Pick up the gaiwain (if it’s easier to hold it with the saucer you can – it will be less hot if you do!). Your index fingers will be underneath the gaiwan (or saucer), and you’ll use your thumbs to hold the lid in place. You’ll tilt the gaiwan towards you to pour it out.

The Stack Grip

The stack grip is a one handed hamburger grip …

Open up the gaiwan lid to the side, pick it up with your index finger and thumb. Your index will be underneath the saucer and your thumb will hold the lid in place.

Just make sure that you leave space for the hot air to leave so it doesn’t go straight into the palm of your hand (trust me, it gets real hot, real fast!). So make sure your hand is on the side of the opening.

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Bonus! Traditional Style (Chung Do)

If you want to give it a try, you can drink directly from the gaiwan – no teacup necessary! This is actually the traditional way to use a gaiwan Chinese teapot.

To drink straight out of the gaiwan, pick it up (with the saucer) with one hand. Bring it directly to your mouth. You’ll use your other hand to hold the lid in place. The lid will act as your strainer, keeping the tea back as you drink.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t tried this method yet. I’m a bit scared that I’ll burn my lips and ingest a lot of tea!

How Much Tea Do You Put In A Gaiwan Teapot?

There’s no exact measurement when you brew tea with a gaiwan. It will depend on a few things … like how big your gaiwan teapot is, how strong you like your tea, and how many infusions you’re looking to get out of it.

You can follow a 1:25 water to leaf ratio for guidance. So that’s 1 gram of tea for each 25 ml of water. If your gaiwan is 125 ml, you would use 5 grams of tea. Other people make it even easier for themselves, and just cover the bottom of their gaiwan with tea.

If you want to take more precise measurements as I mentioned before, you can always use a scale and precisely adjust.

Different Ways To Pour Water Into A Gawain

Just to complicate using a gaiwan teapot even more, there’s also a specific way to pour the water into the gaiwan depending on the type of tea and which infusion your on.

I still haven’t mastered these, so like holding the gaiwan, pouring into the gaiwan also takes practice .

For the most part, you don’t want the hot water to directly touch the tea leaves until later. How you pour your water forces the tea leaves to move in a specific direction to manipulate them and get more flavour in later infusions.

You’ll have to look at your gaiwan as though it’s a clock in front of you. Take note of 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock.

Swirling Leaf 6 O’Clock

The swirling leaf 6 o’clock pouring method is used for the first two infusions . The goal is to get the leaves to move in a circular motion – either clockwise or counter clockwise.

It’s all about the fragrance on these two infusions. It’s generally used for small leaf teas and buds . This can be green teas, silver needle white tea, and yellow tea.

You want your water to hit the gaiwan at the 6 o’clock mark in front of you. This should force the leaves to move in a clockwise or counter clockwise rotation inside the gaiwan teapot.

Fixed 7 O’Clock

The fixed 7 O’clock method is easier in my mind as I’ve actually been able to do it (and it’s pretty satisfying when you do!).

You can use this pouring method for any tea . So it can be used for the first two infusions, but then also the third and fourth .

Instead of swirling the tea leaves in a circular motion, you want them to move in a vertical motion in the gaiwan.

Based on where the tea leaves are in the cup, you’re going to angle your kettle to be on the same side as the leaves . (You’ll notice that after you pour out your gaiwan, the tea leaves end up on one side).

Position your kettle at either 7 or 5 o’clock (depending on where your leaves are). That’s also where you want to pour directly onto the wall of the gaiwan.

Circle On The Rim

This is not only the easiest pour method but it can also be used for any infusion . It’s also usually used for larger, more mature leaves .

Pouring around the rim helps the larger leaves get submerged in water quicker.

You simply pour water in a circular motion around your gaiwan – hitting the gaiwan edge and not the leaves ! This pouring method is one of the reasons gaiwan tea is a messy process.

Central Steeping Method

This is the only example of pouring water directly on your tea leaves – and it should only be used in specific situations. Take not that this is the only method you should never use for a first infusion .

It’s mainly used to revive medium to highly oxidized tea leaves flavours and aromas (like black and oolong teas!).

You’ll use this if you notice the flavours are becoming weaker. But you should never do this for green or white tea.

How Long To Brew Tea With A Gaiwan

There’s no rule for how long to let your tea steep in a gaiwan. It’s all about feeling.

Because you’re using a lot more tea, the infusion will never be longer than a minute. It is all about the quick infusion.

As a general rule, you can start with 10 to 15 seconds, adding 10 seconds with each infusion (or more if you find it becoming weaker).

By the 10th infusion of black tea, I’ll sometimes wait a minute or more for my tea to steep – but I also really like strong tea!

Steps To Brew Tea With A Gaiwan

It’s not as simple as boiling water and throwing in a teabag, here’s how to brew tea with a gaiwan.

I’ll go over some basics now, but usually a gaiwan is a primary tea vessel for gongfu tea brewing. You can read more about that ( and the full steps) here .

1. Wake Up Your Tea Vessels

You first want to add hot water to your gaiwan to clean it and warm it up. This way the temperature of the water doesn’t drop too much when you reach the steeping stage for your tea.

Swirl the water around and then pour the hot water into your teacups as well.

Once your gaiwan is hot, add your tea and cover the lid. Let it sit for a few seconds to warm up the tea leaves (you can also shake it!). This will produce a stronger aroma that you can smell afterwards.

3. Infuse Your Tea

Pour water into your gaiwan (but remember don’t touch the tea leaves!). For more oxidized teas, you can completely cover your gaiwan teapot. For white, green, and yellows, you’ll want to leave a small gap in the lid for some steam to escape.

You can also use the gaiwan lid to push some bubbles out of the gaiwan and manipulate the tea leaves even more.

After a few seconds, pour the infused tea into your tea cup.

Make sure to remove the lid of the gaiwan while tasting the tea. Otherwise you risk the steam building up too much and burning the tea leaves.

Repeat this process as many times as you want, adding time to your infusions as you need.

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Yixing clay teapot.

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Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API