Suggestions for a Gaiwan tea set (pot and cups?)

For green and white teas, you simply add the tea leaves pour hot water over them and then pour out the tea into a pitcher after a few seconds. The only difference is with gongfu brewing you use a larger quantity of tea leaves and very short steep times.

That’s for Chinese green teas though. For Japanese greens, I brew it the normal way and use either a mesh filter basket or strainer to catch the smaller leaves.

For oolong tea, the process is the same except you have to preheat the gaiwan and rinse the tea first. Also, you keep the lid on when brewing oolong tea. Leave it off for white and green teas to avoid astringency.

Verdant Tea has excellent gongfu brewing directions for different types of tea. Hope this helps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-GongFu-Porcelain-Five-Blessings-Hand-Grabbed-Gaiwan-teacup-teapot-130ml-/351106606948?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bf95a764

i have this one. i like it

I have both of these easy gaiwans and would recommend them:
https://www.taiwanteacrafts.com/product/classic-easy-gaiwan/
http://yunnansourcing.com/en/gaiwans/1360-easy-gaiwan-blue-flower-vine-150ml-gong-fu-cha-brewing-vessel.html

It’s easier to brew green and white teas in a gaiwan. Black and oolong teas can still burn your fingers.

I have this and it’s great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-120ml-GongFu-Tea-Porcelain-Ceramic-Poetry-Hand-Grabbed-Gaiwan-teacup-teapot-/331310004531

LuckyMe,
“Black and oolong teas can still burn your fingers.”

I’ve been considering both traditional & easy gaiwans. The marketing info for easy gaiwans gives the impression that they are less likely to burn one’s fingers.
- How are they for sampling black, oolong and pu-erh teas? Thanks!

Oh, you’ll still burn your fingers. Really depends on the style. The ones with the fat nubs on the sides get just as hot as the gaiwan after a number of steepings, they do little to stop the heat. The top wing ones depend how big the wings are (but you also have less grip to them). But I also had problems since those styles are so wide that I can never quite hold them right with small hands. You are also holding the gaiwan for longer since it takes longer to pour.

Awkward Soul / Oolong Owl,
What do you recommend for sampling Chinese black & pu-erh teas that prevents or at least minimizes burning one’s fingers?
- Traditional Gaiwan
- Easy Gaiwan
- Professional Tasting Set
- Japanese Kyusu (traditionally used for green teas)

Any specific types / traits / features / materials?

Thanks!

Least burning? Probably a really small teapot, haha! A traditional gaiwan will still burn you – gaiwan designs vary a lot. I think ones with a higher lip/sunken lid works best plus sold top, in a smaller size.

I can’t use a kyusu (i’m left handed) so I haven’t played with it much besides burn myself and make a huge mess. Tasting Set is for another use if you want to standardize all your tastings.

Or you know, get burned and overtime you won’t notice it.

I’ve never had a problem with being burned. That may be because I use small steeps (60 ml in a 120 ml gaiwan) at 200 F. It’s a very thin-walled china so the heat doesn’t propagate well to the edges.

Sounds encouraging. Agreed, filling a gaiwan 1/2 way, will help the top of it to be much cooler.

Also, I notice that mine has a flared top that keeps the liquid away from the rim, at least where I hold it.

The problem with filling the gaiwan halfway is some teas like rolled oolongs expand after a few steepings to fill the teapot. But you’ve got the right idea, just try to keep the water level as low as possible and don’t fill it to the brim. The good news is your pain threshold will increase the more you use your gaiwan :-)

I have this one and I love it to death!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QZN32JM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
It will hold heat, but the only time I actually felt it was too hot was when I did 6 steeps back to back with boiling water that were each 20 seconds long. It’s around 4-5 ounces, I believe (depending on whether you fill it all the way to the top or just below the holes).
Besides, I think it’s super adorable!
You could also get something with thread wrapping like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMWJ49Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?encoding=UTF8&colid=SRNGK7PWVY8S&coliid=I2721KRQJBUF63
or a handle like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWY8O8M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?encoding=UTF8&colid=SRNGK7PWVY8S&coliid=I1V9I0DT4A87JX
for ultimate finger protection!

Dr. Jim, Which gaiwan do you use – Pic. / link?

Awkward Soul / Oolong Owl,
I think ones with a higher lip/sunken lid works best plus sold top, in a smaller size.
Thanks!

Are the twine-wrapped insulated finger grips effective in preventing burnt fingers?
Examples:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMWJ49Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?
http://www.dragonteahouse.biz/ru-kiln-kinking-celeste-celadon-gaiwan-170ml-5-75-fl-oz/