1.Selection of appropiate tea set
For single person: A covered bowl (a cup with lid, about 150 ml) is used.
For several persons: A large teapot (~500ml) or a miniature size tea set is used
A covered bowl:https://tea-tao.com/collections/teaware/products/spring-green-glass-kung-fu-tea-cup
A large teapot:https://tea-tao.com/collections/teaware/products/teapot-teacup-set-dq
2.Quantity of tea leaves (a miniature size teapot or large teapot)
In general 3 grams (about 2 teaspoons) of tea leaves are used for brewing
150c.c. of tea in a covered bowl,while 1/4 to half a pot of leaves are us
ed if a minia ture size tea pot is used (depending on how tightly the tea leaves
are rolled).
As a general guideline, if the tea leaves are tightly rolled (e.g. Oolong). the
leaves should fill a quarter of the teapot. If the tea leaves are not tightly rolled (
e.g. Pouchong), the leaves should fill up to one half of the teapot.
3.Temperature of water
Pour in water of suitable temperature. For slightly fermented, lightly roasted an
d/or tender leaves do not use exceedingly hot water.
Unfermented green teas such as Longjing (Dragon Well)~75°C.
Slightly fermented teas such as Pouchong tea and Jasmine tea~85℃.
Semi-fermented teas, such as Oolong and Ti Kuan Yin tea~85℃ -90℃.
Completely fermented teas, such as black tea and Pu-erh tea ~95'℃-100℃
4.Steeping time
Steep until the desired concentration is obtained. If a covered bowl is used,
for first brew, about 2.5-3 minutes of steeping is sufficient. Longer time is
required for the second steeping. With a miniature size tea pot containing1/4 to
half pot of leaves, the first steeping requires 1 minute (without warm-up brew).
The second steeping also 1 minute,and for each additional succesive
steepings increase the time in steps of 10 to 15 seconds so that tea from each
steeping has an uniform strength. This amount of leaves is sufficent for 4
steepings.
In the beginning, one may experience some tea or water spillage or be
unable to prepare the tea before some of the teacups run dry, but with practice
and use of “Gongfu” tea preparation, one will soon experience the enhanced
enjoyment of the tea time, tea and teaset.