Gongfu Tea Ceremony

A Temporary Introduction

The historic artwork of the Chinese tea ceremony is recognized to be a ceremony of the maximum esteem that a host can offer you a visitor. Whilst the Chinese tea ceremony is remarkably simpler in contrast to the Japanese model, (the Japanese variation tends to be additional rigid and pays a good deal of interest on the structure of the environment while the Chinese tea ceremony pays a lot more attention on attaining the great brew) there are set measures to be adopted as properly.

While there are lots of versions of the Chinese tea ceremony, the one that is regarded as the most advanced among all is the Gongfu tea ceremony. It is thought to originate from both Guangdong or Fujian. This tea ceremony fits oolong teas ideal and is often employed for pu’er tea as effectively. There are six variables to take into thing to consider when accomplishing a tea ceremony:

1. Mind-set

The host ought to be cheerful still tranquil to build a soothing ambiance.

2. Tea Choice

In addition to obtaining a terrific style, shape and fragrance, it should really have an tasteful history (i.e. title and story) as very well.

3. H2o range

Challenging and distilled drinking water must never be employed to boil tea. Distilled water gives the tea a “flat” flavor although hard water can make it style terrible. Optimally, clean and distinct spring drinking water must be utilised.

4. Tea ware range

True, lacquered tea ware looks wonderful but the pots that delivers out the best in fermented teas are the Yixing teapots, which do not glaze, remaining porous even following becoming fired in the kiln. One particular pot should be utilised to brew only one particular variety of tea, as the pot absorbs some tea and the flavour of the tea will be increased as time goes by.

5. Atmosphere

The tea ceremony area must be thoroughly clean and spacious sufficient to not experience cramped. Preferably, it really should be tranquil as perfectly. Incense, music or artworks are in some cases employed to enrich the environment, however it may not be essential due to the fact a tea ceremony can be executed outdoors.

6. Procedure

The host should really have a graceful fashion although performing the tea ceremony which can be witnessed through the hand actions and facial expressions.

This timeless ceremony blends the a few teachings that have formed China. The Buddhism’s Center Way, the Confucian Golden Suggest and the Taoism’s Way of the Tao. It involves just one to have a serene demeanour, excellent ethics in facets these types of as tea serving and respectful interaction amid one particular one more. A tea ceremony fosters excellent relations among the just one one more as very well as bringing a sense of serenity by reminding mankind of their partnership with nature.

Approach of a typical Gongfu Tea Ceremony

Products desired:

• Wen Xiang Bei – Narrow snifter cup utilised to enjoy the tea’s scent. Tea is not drunk from these cups.
• Pin Ming Bei – Chinese teacups.
• Cha Tuo- A little saucer for the teacup (often lesser than what is pictured remaining just adequate to hold the teacup)
• Zi sha hu – A teapot produced from the famed Yixing purple clay, recognized for its flavour absorbent houses.
• Cha pan – A water catching tray for the tea ceremony. A basin can be made use of as perfectly.
• Gong dao bei – Tea from the teapot will be poured into this pitcher right before serving to be certain an even style.
• Cha dao zu – A established of utensils for measuring out tea leaves like tongs to select up incredibly hot products.
• Cha he – A shallow dish that is made use of for appreciating the scent and visual appearance of tea.

The Procedure

Beneath are the actions in a regular Gongfu tea ceremony. Every action has a classic four character name.

*Get be aware that the teapot’s spout must not be pointing at anyone at all periods as this is regarded as rude.

1. Wen hu tang bei – “heat the pot and warmth the cups”

Boiling h2o is poured into the teapot and then poured into the teacups. This is to make certain that the utensils are warmed and prepped for the tea savouring process, which boosts the tea’s fragrance.

2. Jian shang jia ming – “Enjoy superb tea”

The tea is put in the Cha He and handed around guests for it to be appreciated. The visitors should really enhance the visual appearance and fragrance of the tea.

3. Wu Lengthy Ru Gong – “The black dragon enters the palace”

The “black dragon” refers to the color of Oolong tea, which is commonly a dark burnt brown with subtle hues of other colours dependent on the variety of tea. The volume of tea necessary relies upon on quite a few aspects this kind of as form of tea and the dimensions of the teapot but the amount of tea leaves made use of ordinarily fills ½ to 2/3 of the pot. Place the leaves in the tea strainer if your pot does not have an inbuilt strainer.

4. Xuan Hu Gao Chong – “rinsing from an elevated pot”

Drinking water heated in a kettle to the appropriate brewing temperature for the tea is poured at about the height of the pourer’s shoulder to a slight overflow in the teapot to rinse the tea leaves.

The Chinese decide the correct brewing temperature is determined by the size of the bubbles formed when boiling. They use creatures’ eyes as a guidebook bubbles the size of fish eyes for black tea, crab eyes for oolong and prawn eyes for inexperienced tea. (However eco-friendly tea is not made use of in a Gongfu tea ceremony)

5. Chun Feng Fu Mian – “The spring wind brushes the surface area”

Any froth or floating tea leaves are gently brushed away with the tea pot’s address. This assists develop a apparent tea.

6. Chong Xi Xian Yan – “Bathing the immortal twice”

To make certain the temperature on the outside the house and within of the pot continues to be the exact same, hot h2o is poured on to the included teapot.This also helps to heal the clay in addition to creating a seal that makes sure all the tea flavour stays in the pot. At this level, some will steep the tea for a brief although (about 10-30 seconds) or pour out the tea right away to the tea pitcher.

7. Hang Yun Liu Shui – “A row of clouds, managing drinking water”

This indicates that the 1st brew is not intended to be drunk. The tea is poured from the pitcher into the teacups.

8. Long Feng Cheng Xiang – “the dragon and phoenix in auspicious union”

The tea cups are put upside down on top of the snifters and available to the visitors, a image of prosperity and pleasure the host wishes on the friends.

9. Li Yu Enthusiast Shen – ‘the carp turns over’

The visitor accepts each the cups and turns them 180°.

10. Jing Feng Xiang Ming – “Worship the fragrance”

The snifter is lifted from the tea cup. This tea is then emptied into a bowl or into the tea tray.

11.Hui xuan di zhen / Zai zhu qing xuan – “pouring once again from a minimal peak” / ‘direct once more the pure spring’

Sizzling water is poured at a lower peak from step 4, commonly at a marginally greater height than the rim of the teapot. It follows a principle known as Gao Chong Di Zhen – “high to rinse, low to pour”. Beforehand, pouring from a top makes a power to cleanse the leaves but drinking water is now poured from a lower top so that the flavour can be produced bit by bit.

12. Gua Mo Lin Gai

The leaves are steeped at this place. Depending on the variety of tea and desire of the tea ceremony learn, it can take anyplace among 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

13.Guan Gong Xun Cheng – “Guan Gong patrols the metropolis”

The teacups are arranged in a row and poured into the tea snifters. This is finished even though shifting the hand left and suitable gracefully. Guan Gong is a well-known navy typical in the A few Kingdoms time period. This move is akin to him marching up and down to guard the metropolis.

14. Han Xin Dian Bing- “Han Xin phone calls the troopers”

The previous drops are poured in an sophisticated movement. This shift is likened to Han Xin, a well known Han general commanding his soldiers to battle.

15. Ou Bei Mu Lin- “bathing the snifter cup”

The whole contents of the teapot is poured into the tea pitcher and poured into the snifters. A teacup is placed upside down on best like step 7.

16. You Shan Wan Shui – “stroll in the mountains and play in the river”

Any remaining h2o in the teapot is emptied into the basin or tea tray.

17. Prolonged Feng Cheng Xiang- “The dragon and phoenix in auspicious union”

One more prayer for the guests’ happiness and wellbeing is offered with the giving of the snifter cup with an inverted teacup on major of it. This is the exact as phase 8.

18. Li Yu Supporter Shen – “the carp turns more than”

The guest accepts both equally the cups and turns individuals 180°.

19. Jing Feng Xiang Ming – “respectfully acquire the aromatic tea”

At this point, the guest will raise up the snifter cup and enable the tea flow into the teacup. The lingering aroma of the tea in the snifter is to be smelt and savoured by the guest in advance of ingesting the tea.

20. This move involves the etiquette to drink the tea. The teacup is both picked up with the finger pads of the two arms or with the thumb and index finger applying the middle finger to guidance the teacup. The latter system is utilized as perfectly when a cha tuo is concerned. The tea should be drunk in 3 sips the very first sip is for flavor letting it settle on your tongue and to value the complexity of the tea flavour, reminiscent of a wine tasting procedure the second sip, is a even larger sip, also acknowledged as the major sip and the ultimate sip is to empty the cup and to get in the aftertaste.

21. The same tea leaves can be brewed for a few situations until they no longer yield the similar flavour. With every single subsequent brew, the tea really should be left to steep for a for a longer time time. The leaves will be taken out of the teapot with tongs and set into a basin to be shown to the visitors. The company should enhance the tea’s top quality. With this, the tea ceremony is carried out.