The Gaiwan is the most practical and widely used Teaware in Tea brewing.

However, many novice tea enthusiasts find the gaiwan too hot to handle when brewing tea.

This may be due to a lack of brewing skill or the gaiwan itself.

So how should beginners select a gaiwan?

How can you hold a gaiwan without burning your hands?

The following provides answers to these questions.

What kind of gaiwan doesn't get too hot?

01

The curvature of the gaiwan's body

When choosing a gaiwan, those with a smaller curvature are more likely to burn your fingers. Opt for a gaiwan with a larger curvature so that the heat does not quickly transfer to the rim, making it easier to hold without burning your hand.

02

The distance between the lid and the rim

A slightly larger gap between the lid and the rim helps to contain the heat within, keeping the rim temperature lower. If this gap is too small, the water temperature will quickly reach the edge of the gaiwan, making it easier to burn your hand.

03

The lid knob should be high

The lid knob is the protruding part of the gaiwan. If the knob is concave and close to the lid, your fingers will burn when pressed against it. A higher knob makes it less likely to burn your hand.

04

Select a white porcelain gaiwan

A white porcelain gaiwan is essential teaware for tea tasting and evaluation, as it allows for easy observation and differentiation of the tea. Every tea lover should have a white porcelain gaiwan. Pair it with a glass pitcher and a white porcelain tasting cup to ensure the aroma and flavor of the tea are not compromised, and it's convenient to view the tea color.

05

Gaiwan capacity

The capacity of a gaiwan can be chosen based on the number of people Drinking Tea. The most common size is a 140ml gaiwan for 7 grams of tea. A 160ml gaiwan would be suitable for 8 grams of tea, maintaining a ratio of 20:1 between the volume and the amount of tea.

How to hold a gaiwan without burning your hands?

01

The 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 the middle finger without direct contact with the gaiwan (as this would cause burns). Hold the gaiwan vertically to pour out the tea.

02

The bowl-grasping method

The bowl-grasping method is more suitable for men and conveys a sense of power. Women using this method can appear more daring. Not many people use this method because holding the entire gaiwan can be quite hot and challenging for beginners to master. With your left hand, lift the gaiwan and adjust the opening of the lid. Press the lid knob with your right thumb and grasp the footring of the gaiwan with your other fingers without touching the body. Hold the gaiwan vertically, with the lid facing you and the bottom away from you, to pour out the tea.

Regardless of which method you use to hold the gaiwan, it should be held vertically relative to the pitcher. When pouring out the tea, tilt the lid slightly to create a gap just large enough for the water to flow through while also preventing tea leaves from spilling out. Place your middle finger and thumb on the rim of the gaiwan and lightly press the lid knob with your index finger. These three points should align along the centerline of the gaiwan. This creates an elegant and visually pleasing action.