Gong Fu Cha
Attention to tea making quality has been a classic Chinese tradition. Gong Fu Cha literally means “tea prepared with great skill” and involves a careful preparation and presentation of tea. Implication is that time, dedication and effort will produce an ultimate tea experience. A variety of utensils are used for a proper gong fu cha ceremony. At least a tea pot, several cups and a tea tray are required. Optional utensils like a pitcher, tweezers to handle the hot cups or aroma cups are available for differenty variations of the ceremony.
HOW IT IS BREWED
The tea pot is placed on the tray and filled with the appropriate ammount of tea leaves. Hot water is poured in the pot until it is full (a little overflow will be catched by the tea tray) and then immediately poured in the cups to warm them up. Remaining water in pot and cups is discarded. Now the pot is again filled with hot water, and after 20 to 50 seconds (depending on tea type), the brewed tea is poured either in the optional pitcher or directly in the cups in an even, circulating fashion. The tea is then ready to enjoy. The second brewing usually yields the most delicious tea.
WHAT TEA IS USED?
While Oolong or Pu’er teas are most commonly used for gong fu cha, any type of tea can be used like black tea, green tea, jasmin or genmaicha for example.
GONG FU CHA BASED PRODUCTS
