Why do many people like to brew Tea with a Gaiwan? A gaiwan, as the name suggests, is a teacup with a lid. Most of the gaiwans we see today typically consist of three parts: the lid, the teacup, and the saucer. These three parts are metaphorically referred to as heaven, earth, and human, hence the gaiwan is also known as the Three Talents Cup representing harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity.
Benefits of Brewing Tea with a Gaiwan
One, a gaiwan is suitable for brewing any type of tea. There is no tea that cannot be brewed with a gaiwan, unlike a glass cup which is only suitable for Green Tea and not other teas. Purple clay teapots are not ideal for brewing green tea or oolong tea. Additionally, due to the double-pore structure of purple clay teapots, they tend to absorb the flavor of the tea, so if you enjoy drinking a variety of teas, you would need a different Teapot for each one. On the other hand, if you use a gaiwan, the Porcelain does not absorb flavors. With just one gaiwan at home, you can adjust the brewing process slightly according to the nature of the tea and brew any type of tea.
Two, the glaze on a porcelain gaiwan is tightly packed, which may not help improve the taste of the tea, but it does allow for the most authentic representation of the tea's strengths and weaknesses. When encountering a new tea, it is best to try brewing it several times using a gaiwan. By comparing and understanding the nature of the tea, you can then more effectively utilize a purple clay teapot, using targeted brewing techniques to highlight the tea's strengths and mask its weaknesses.
Three, the gaiwan has a larger top and smaller bottom, making it easy to pour water in, while allowing the tea leaves to settle at the bottom. The tea leaves roll around when adding water, which helps release the tea essence.
Place the prepared tea leaves into the gaiwan, commonly made of various decorative porcelain or glass. You can use it to brew tea and serve it separately. Now present the gaiwan with the lid half-opened, allowing the tea liquid inside to swirl. If the bowl is too full, it could scald your hand. Through the gap, you can smell the aroma of the tea as it releases in the warm gaiwan. The gaiwan set includes a bowl and a lid, which helps better retain the tea's aroma and prevents it from dissipating easily. For northern-style tea brewing with large teapots, you can have a set for each person. This allows for “presenting tea to guests with respect.”
Four, the raised lid on the gaiwan serves multiple purposes. It helps condense the tea's aroma and, in terms of etiquette, provides a graceful way to serve tea by lifting the saucer with the teacup and presenting it to guests. The lid can also be used to shield tea foam and prevent it from reaching your lips. The gaiwan makes it easier to release the tea essence, and the rolling tea leaves facilitate a better infusion. The lid's rim is smaller than the cup's opening, preventing water from spilling onto clothing. Drinking from the gaiwan will not scald your hands, nor will it slip easily.
Five, the saucer prevents your hands from getting scalded and also stops water from spilling onto your clothes, especially when presenting tea to guests with respect by lifting the saucer with the teacup. Enjoy a cup of fragrant tea every day.
The advantage of brewing tea with a gaiwan lies in our ability to control it relatively well. Because the gaiwan drains quickly, and washing the tea and removing foam is very convenient, after draining, the tea leaves can be observed and smelled directly. The aroma of the tea will be much purer compared to when brewed in a purple clay teapot because the gaiwan can disperse some of the heat, reducing olfactory stimulation, making the lid's aroma even more fragrant. Additionally, being able to directly observe the quality of the tea leaves makes brewing tea with a gaiwan quite convenient. Furthermore, brewing more tea takes less time with a gaiwan.
Tasting tea particularly emphasizes “observing color, smelling fragrance, tasting flavor, and viewing form.” Using cups or teapots for brewing tea is not conducive to observing color and form, nor is it helpful for regulating the concentration of the tea. Moreover, if tea is steeped for too long, its quality deteriorates, and the color and aroma fade. Whether from the perspective of tasting and appreciation or health and wellness, the shortcomings of brewing tea with cups or teapots are evident. The gaiwan set, with its bowl, lid, and saucer, is uniquely shaped and exquisitely crafted.