When it comes to brewing Pu'er Tea, a Gaiwan is an essential piece of tea ware. A good gaiwan not only exudes elegance during the brewing process but also allows for better appreciation of the tea's transformation throughout.

A gaiwan is also known as a “three talents Cup,” with the lid representing heaven, the bowl representing humanity, and the saucer representing earth, symbolizing the harmony between heaven, earth, and man. It is the most practical and widely used tea ware for brewing, suitable for all six categories of tea. Every tea lover likely owns a gaiwan, which they use to savor their favorite teas, immersing themselves in the graceful ritual of tea preparation. However, choosing the right gaiwan and learning how to handle it correctly are important for beginners, as improper technique can result in burns.

How to Choose a Gaiwan that Won't Burn Your Hands

First Point: The Curvature of the Gaiwan Body
When selecting a gaiwan, those with a smaller curvature on the body can easily burn your fingers. Therefore, choose one with a larger curvature, which will prevent the heat from quickly reaching the rim, making it comfortable to hold.

Second Point: The Distance Between the Lid and Bowl Rim
A slightly larger gap between the lid and the bowl rim helps to contain the heat, keeping the rim temperature manageable. This makes it less likely for you to get burned when holding the gaiwan. If the gap is too small, the water's temperature will quickly reach the edge of the gaiwan, increasing the risk of burns.

Third Point: The Height of the Lid Knob
The lid knob is the protruding part of the gaiwan. If the knob is recessed or close to the lid, pressing your finger on it will be hot. A higher lid knob reduces the chance of burning your hand.

Fourth Point: Prefer White Porcelain Gaiwans
White porcelain gaiwans are essential for tea tasting and evaluation, allowing for easy observation and assessment of the tea. Every tea enthusiast should have a white porcelain gaiwan, paired ideally with a glass pitcher and tasting cups, ensuring that the aroma and flavor of the tea remain intact and the color of the tea is easily visible.

Fifth Point: The Capacity of the Gaiwan
The capacity of the gaiwan can be chosen based on the number of people you're serving. The most common size on the market is a 140ml gaiwan, which is the standard for 7 grams of tea. For a 160ml gaiwan, the standard amount of tea would be 8 grams, maintaining a ratio of 20:1 for the volume to tea quantity.

How to Hold a Gaiwan Without Getting Burned

1. Three-Finger Method
Beginners are recommended to start with the three-finger method. Place your index finger on the lid knob, your thumb and middle finger on either side of the rim, and keep your ring and little fingers bent next to your middle finger, not touching the gaiwan directly to avoid burns. Hold the gaiwan vertically to pour the tea.

2. Bowl-Grasping Method
This method is more suitable for men, giving a sense of control. Women using this method may appear more assertive. Few people use this method because holding the entire gaiwan can be quite hot and challenging for beginners. With your left hand, pick up the gaiwan and adjust the opening of the lid. Use your right thumb to press down on the lid knob while the other fingers grip the footring at the bottom of the gaiwan, avoiding contact with the body to prevent burns. Hold the gaiwan vertically, with the lid facing you and the bottom away from you, to pour the tea.

Gaiwan Price Recommendation
For beginners practicing their technique, a gaiwan doesn't need to be expensive; a reference price might be around 20 yuan. For better quality and aesthetically pleasing gaiwans, expect to pay around 60 yuan each. For those looking for specific materials or brands, prices can go much higher, reaching into the hundreds or even thousands of yuan.

Regardless of the holding method, ensure that the gaiwan is held vertically over the pitcher. When pouring, tilt the lid slightly to create a gap just large enough for the tea to flow out while keeping the leaves back. Place your middle finger and thumb on the rim of the gaiwan, lightly pressing down on the lid knob with your index finger. These three points form a straight line along the center of the gaiwan, creating a graceful and visually pleasing movement.