gongfu tea ceremony
gongfu tea ceremony

What is the Gongfu Tea Ceremony?

The Gongfu Tea Ceremony is a traditional art-like form of serving Chinese tea. Gongfu means the art of doing something well. In the tea ceremony known as gong fu, the implication is that time, dedication and effort will produce an ultimate tea experience. The phrase is also spelled as kung fu, kung fu-cha or gong fu-cha.

What You Need for the Gongfu Tea Ceremony

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    Tea
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    Teapot (Gai wan or other glass/porcelain vessel)
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    Kettle
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    Pitcher
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    Chinese Tea Scoop
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    Tongs​​​
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    Strainer
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    Tea Cups
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    Surface to prepare the tea on

How To Perform the Gongfu Tea Ceremony


Step 1 – Warm The Teapot, Sterilize The Teacups And Strainer

Warm up the teapot by filling with boiling water and allowing to sit until warm. This will reduce temperature shift inside the teapot which can affect the flavour of tea. Pour boiling water on the strainer and fill the teacups to sterilize and warm them. Remember, you are serving “food” so you should practice good food handling technique. This is a courtesy to your guests and they will appreciate the care you take for their enjoyment. Always keep your tea making area and equipment scrupulously clean. Your equipment should also be organized so your tools are where you expect them to be when you reach for them. This improves your technique and cuts down on accidents and breakage.


Step Two – Rinse The Tea Leaves

Empty the teapot of the warming water, place the measured amount of tea (per the guidelines above) in the teapot and fill with the proper temperature water, allowing the water to overflow the top of the teapot until the bubbles disappear and the water runs clear. Replace the lid and immediately (longer if using compressed tea) pour off the water, then tilt the lid slightly open on the teapot. This tilting allows the heat in the teapot to escape and not “cook” the leaves, and retain the aroma.


Step Three – First Brew

For beginners, I recommend pouring the tea from the teapot into a small pitcher (or any glass or porcelain cup with a lid) before serving the tea in teacups. You’ll see, this makes everything easier at the beginning.
Fill the teapot until the water overflows the top. Place the lid on the teapot and count 6 seconds (or whatever time scale you are using) while slowly pouring a little hot water over the teapot for the first few seconds. This ensures an even brewing temperature inside the teapot. At the end of the count, pour the tea into the pitcher, place the lid on the pitcher and tilt the lid on the teapot. Empty the teacups of the warming water (using the tongs of course so as not to touch them) and serve the tea.


Step Four - Additional Brews

Repeat Step Three following the proper brew times until you have finished brewing the tea.

Step Five – Finishing Up

Remove the leaves and rinse your teapot and lid with hot water and place in the open air with the lid off to allow them to dry. Tea is best made with a dry pot and this also allows the oils to set in the clay. Rinse the rest of your tools and allow to air dry.

If you find that the tea you have been making might still have some brews left when you finish, you can keep the leaves right in the teapot with the lid closed for up to 12 hours. Any longer might create mould which could get into the clay and ruin the teapot. When you’re ready to make more tea, just pick up where you left off. The first brew time can be a couple seconds less than what it might normally be since the tea concentrates somewhat while it has been sitting.

The Best Gonfu Tea Tray

Tea Talent Reservoir & Drainage Type Solid Wood Tea Tray

Looking for the perfect Gungfu Ceremony Tea tray to serve up your tea skills? Look no further because this beautiful solid wood tea tray is the best on the market. 

First, the drainage style construction is perfect for those who tend to be a little more prone to spillage. The tiny slats allow the excess tea to drain into another tray, which can be easily removed and cleaned. Also, the tray size is perfect for about 4-6 people, with dimensions 21.2 x 13.4 x 2.36 inch. In addition, there is a section where you can even dry your tea cups when finished.

In the end, we absolutely LOVE this tea tray and know you will too!


Yeme Tasteful Bamboo Gongfu Tea Table Serving Tray

What's better than bamboo? Well, fewer things when it comes to a Gongfu Ceremony Tea tray. That's why we absolutely LOVE this tray because of it's sturdy bamboo construction and beautiful design.

If you've got the wobbles in your hands, have no fear. This incredible construction has slats that allow extra tea drippings to flow into a removeable tray tha's easy to clean. Plus, the bamboo wood doesn't rot and is water proof. This tray is 36cm x 26cm or 14" x 10.3" and can serve up to 4 people at a time.

​Ultimately, you wil LOVE this bamboo tea tray. Whether you're a beginner tea pourer or a master, this is a gorgeous tea tray to add to your tea arsenal.

The Best Gongfu Tea Table

Thy Collectibles Bamboo Reservoir & Drainage Type Kung Fu GongFu Tea Table

One of the best parts of serving your Gungfu tea is displaying it on a gorgoeus traditional Chinese table. This bamboo reservoir table is perfect for doing so! As you can see, there are tiny holes that allow any wasted water to flow directly through the trash. So, if you're a messy tea drinker, have no fear!

This beautiful table is made of high grade thick Chinese Moso bamboo, polished smooth surface, beautiful detail design. The slatted trays with a water collection basin makes it easier to serve the tea and clean up. Tray Size: L21.06" x W11.81" x H3.15"

Ultimately, we know you will fall in love with this gorgeous handmade table. 

Tea Talent Japanese / Chinese Gongfu Tea Table

If you're looking for something as close to traidtiional as you can find, this is the table for you. This gorgeous Gungfu tea ceremony ornate table is engraved with traditional Chinese decorations. Also, this table has special engraved holes that allow excess liquid that spills over to flow into a tray for easy clean-up.

If you're just a beginner at serving tea, this is a great table for your. Coming in at 15.7 x 11 x 2.95 inches, there is plenty of space for you to practice on. Also, the catch tray is very easy to use and clean.

​Overall, ​if you're serious about starting your journey into Gungfu ceremony tea, this is definitely the table for you to use.

The Best Gongfu Tea Set

Ufine Chinese Gungfu Tea Set Service Ceramic Hot Tea Set

Need the perfect Gongfu Tea Ceremony set? We got the product for you. This gorgeous tea set is made in China from beautiful porcelain. The set includes 1 tea pot+1 tea bowl+1 tea plate+6 tea cups.

Each item in this tea set is made with the perfect combination of porcelain and stone base, which allows for a sleek look and a sturdy build. Also, the set is completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. 

If you're a fan of tea, this is the ultimate Gungfu Ceremony tea set on the market. We guarantee you will absolutely love the design, feel, and efficacy of this product.

The Best Gongfu Tea Pot

Chinese Handmade Zisha Kungfu Teapot Tea Pot

If you're looking for the perfect Gungfu tea pot to add to your collection, this is the one for you. This gorgeous tea pot is handmade in China with the finest Zisha. 

Coming in at 12x9x7.5 cm/ 4.7"x3.5"x3" and about 180 cc, this is the perfect sized tea pot to exceute your Gungfu tea ceremony. Also, one gorgeous characteristic of this Zisha tea pot is the more times you use it, the more brilliant the color turns. It essentially gets better with age!

In the end, we know you will absolutely LOVE this traditional Gungfu tea pot. Once you use it, you won't be able to use any other one!


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