This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

2024 Easter Day: Buy 2 With 10% OFF; Buy 4 With 15% OFF; Buy 6 With 20% OFF.

Shopping Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue Shopping

Buy Gongfu Tea Sets, Learn Kung Fu Tea Ceremony



What is Gongfu Tea Sets?

If you ever visit China, you'll be surprised by how elaborate the tea ceremony is. You'll be served aromatic tea in beautiful teaware, part of the Gongfu tea set. These aren't your ordinary teapots and cups, as they're crafted using clay and represent hundreds of years of tradition. In Chinese culture, tea has an incredibly important role. Chinese people have long used beautiful tea sets in their tea ceremonies. That's why the set is also sometimes called Gongfu tea ceremony set. If you call yourself a tea enthusiast, adding a traditional Gongfu cha tea set in your kitchen will give you the authentic experience of drinking tea like the Chinese.

A Gongfu tea set is a set of teaware specifically designed for the Gongfu tea ceremony– a traditional Chinese tea brewing method that requires a lot of skill and attention to detail. Gonfu tea or Gongfu Cha, as it's locally referred to, literally means 'making tea with skill.' Gongfu Cha tea set is also sometimes called a Kung Fu tea set, as the term Gongfu was earlier called Kung Fu. A Chinese Gongfu tea ceremony is incomplete without a Kung Fu tea set. These tea sets have been a part of the Chinese culture for centuries. And there's a strict adherence to the rituals of the ceremony, which have developed over many generations. A typical Gongfu tea set comprises various pieces, including a teapot, cups, lids, a strainer, and even a towel. The pieces in these tea sets are made from natural materials like clay and wood.

The Craft Behind Gongfu Tea Sets

It's impossible to talk about the Gongfu cha tea set without discussing its craftsmanship. These beauties are handcrafted with love and attention to detail, often using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The Chinese artisans make these sets by hand using clay and wood sourced locally. Even today, the tradition of handcrafting teapots, cups, and other tea ceremony essentials is very much alive. But the craft that goes into making Gongfu teaware isn't just for beauty– it's also supposed to elevate the tea-drinking experience further. From the selection of materials to the shape of the utensils, the artisans stick to the rules and rituals of the tea ceremony. What really sets the Chinese Kung Fu tea set apart is the ritual and tradition behind it. Each piece has its own role in the Gongfu tea ceremony. And every piece complements the other pieces, so you need a complete set to carry out the ceremony as it's supposed to. When it comes to the Chinese tea ceremony set, it's not just about drinking tea; it's also about connecting with the tea, with the people around you, and with the centuries-old culture that gave birth to this beautiful tradition.

What's Included in a Gongfu Tea Set?

A Gongfu tea set is made up of the following:

Teapot with lid

Teapot with Lid: Of course, no tea set can be complete without a teapot. The Gongfu teapot has a central role, as it's used to brew the tea. Although the size and shape vary, these teapots are typically small. They're made from various materials, such as clay, porcelain, and glass. The teapot also features a lid that helps trap the aroma and heat during brewing, and it's made from the same material as the teapot. There's a handle on the teapot that makes it easier to transfer the tea once it has been brewed. The teapot with lid is also super practical. It holds just the right amount of tea for multiple rounds of brewing.

GongfuTea Set

Gongfu Tea Cups: The tea cups, often small and delicate, aren't just for drinking the tea but also help enhance the sensory experience of tea drinking. They come in various shapes and sizes. The use of smaller cups in Gongfu tea ceremonies means there can be multiple infusions, allowing you to enjoy different levels of brew. They're typically made from the same material as the teapot and match its aesthetic.

GongfuTea Set

Smelling cup (Aroma Cups): Pay attention to the traditional sado, "first, sniff; second, smell; third, taste", where "smell" is the function of smelling cup. 1. Function - Smelling aroma cup is used to smell fragrant of the tea, together with tea cup. 2. Material - Most smelling cups are made of porcelain, purple clay with white glazed inside. 3. Wise selection - It is better to use porcelain smelling aroma cup, through which you can watch the tea’s color, and purple clay aroma cup is easy to make fragrance adsorbed on the cup surface, but not conducive to watch the tea's color. For tea tasting, purple clay cup is better. 4. Usage - Smelling cup generally is used with tea cup, cup holder. When you use smelling cup, with cup mouth forward, grip the cup with both hands palm, move it close to the nose, gently rubbing the smelling cup to make it spin, smell while rubbing. 5. Smell the tea fragrance at the second infusion - In brewing tea, the first infusion is used to wash tea leaves and wet them. Empty the tea after the tea leaves spread. The second infusion is to be poured into the smelling cup to smell.

GongfuTea Set

Coaster: Coaster is mainly used with tea cup. The celadon tea cup matches the wooden coaster very well. 1. Function: It is used to place tea cup and smelling cup. It is also known as cup holder or small tea tray. 2. Material: They are mainly made of wood, bamboo, or plastic texture. 3. Wise selection: When you purchase it, make the coaster to match tea cup and smelling cup well, these three being in set when being used. Coaster is usually made with tea sets, so they can be purchased in sets. Experienced customers can purchase a coaster with a handle, which is also known as the serve tea clip, which looks healthy and elegant at the friends meeting. 4. Usage: a. Coaster is used to place tea cup and smelling cup. b. Using coasters to serve guests seems more healthier. c. After using, the coaster should be cleaned. If it is made of bamboo or wood, it should be aired to dry.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Strainer: is used for preventing the tea leave into the fair cup, to guide the tea soup into teapot, preventing tea leaves fall into the fair cup.

Lid set

Lid set: Lid set is the apparatus to place the lid during the process of brewing tea. 1. Function: Used to place the lid and to keep it clean, to reduce the lid's friction, and also to prevent water droplets from lid to the table. 2. Material: The materials are purple clay, porcelain, bamboo or wood. They are many styles for people to choose. 3. Wise selection: a. Material selection: You had better buy wood lid set, in order to avoid collision, causing the lid broken. b. Style choices: There are many styles, and there are beautiful quality porcelain or small purple holder platform, as well as small cap, drum-shaped pier, etc. You can choose according to personal preference. Lid set is the essential tea sets for seniors, and for those who drink tea occasionally, a clean saucer can be chosen. 4. Usage: a. To place the lid. b. Lid set can avoid direct touch between the lid and the tea table, also reduce friction on the lid. c. Use the lid set for the tea to add a trace of elegance, but it should be washed immediately after use, so as not to have tea stains on appearance. d. There are a lot of shapes of lid set, and it should be cleaned after use to avoid leaving tea stains.

GongfuTea Set

Gaiwan: or tea bowl, dividing into three parts: cover lid, tea bowel, and saucer. Putting 5-8 grams into the gaiwan and then adding some amount of water, then, pour the tea soup into the fair cup. So it is used to brew tea, like a teapot, some people like using teapot but some people like using gaiwan to brew tea.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Tray: What's better than just a tea set? A tea set with a tray! The tea tray in the Gongfu tea set is crafted from bamboo or wood. It serves as the centerpiece of the Gongfu tea ceremony, bringing all the other parts together in one place. It provides a dedicated space for arranging and organizing tea utensils and a surface for capturing any spills or excess water during brewing. The design of the tea tray is often elaborate, featuring intricate carvings or engravings that reflect the artistry and cultural significance of the Gongfu tea ceremony.

Tea Utensils

Tea Utensils: Gonfu tea sets come with tea utensils, including a tea scoop, a teaspoon, a tea clip or tong, a tea needle, tea leaks, and a container for holding the other utensils. The tea scoop is used for measuring and transferring tea leaves from the tea caddy to the teapot. It's also made from wood. Its precise design allows for accurate portioning of tea leaves, ensuring a consistent and balanced brew with each infusion. The tea needle or stick is used to remove leaves from the teapot's spout, whereas the clip or tongs are used to handle the tea cups. The teaspoon can be used to stir the tea. Finally, the tea leak prevents any overflow from the pot when you're pouring in the water.

GongfuTea Set

Cha Ze: as a kind of tea appliance using for delivering tea into the teapot or gaiwan, usually, it is made of bamboo.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Tong: which function is similar to the tea knife, it is used to break the puerh tea cake.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Towel: its main purpose is to clean teapot. Before drinking water, it could be used to wipe up some wasted water in the bottom of cup. And also could be used for wiping the water in table. Also known as tea cloth, tea towel is for cleaning during the process of brewing tea. 1. Function: Used to wipe tea water stains on the outer wall during the process of brewing tea. 2. Material: There are cotton, linen, arabesquitic and plain materials. 3. Wise selection: When you purchase, you can ask the clerk for samples to try, and then choose absorbent cotton or linen tea towels. There are plain towels and arabesquitic towels. You can choose the towel according to personal preferences, tea table and tea sets's color. 4. Usage: a. Tea towel can only wipe the outside of tea tool, not the inside. b. In the process of brewing tea, put your hands gently on the tea towel, which is one of the basic norms of etiquette. c. A demonstration for the use of tea towel: one hand holds a tea set. As to the other hand, the thumb upwards, another four fingers hold the tea towel. The tea towel is used to wipe water stains and tea stains. d. After using, tea towel should be folded up, and the folding method is: first divide the tea towel into three sections, and fold it inward; and then divide it into three sections again, and fold it inward and then into tofu block.

GongfuTea Set

Cha Zhen: its function is to dredge the teapot spout to keep clear of tea soup and make the tea come out from the teapot smoothly.

GongfuTea Set

Water Heater: In ancient time, we often use wind furnace to make tea. But currently, the alcohol burner and electric kettle is the most often seen, besides, the gas stove and electronic boiled water machine be used.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Caddy: The tea caddy is a jar that holds the tea leaves. It has a lid to ensure the freshness of the leaves stays intact. It's usually made of the same material and has a similar design as the rest of the parts of the Kung Fu tea set.

GongfuTea Set

Teapot Plate: a kind of tea container used for placing teapot.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Pitcher or Fair Cup: The tea pitcher, also called fair cup or fairness pitcher, is crucial to Gongfu tea brewing. Its primary function is to evenly distribute the brewed tea among the individual cups, ensuring consistency in flavor and strength. Additionally, it helps to cool the tea before it is poured into the cups, preventing over-steeping and bitterness.

GongfuTea Set

Tea Spoon: also called tea steak. It gets the name just because its shape is similar to spoon. Its main purpose is to take tea leaves from pot. And usually after brewed, the teapot will be stuffed up by tea leaves, besides that, the mouth of teapot is very small. So it is not convenient to use hand. At now, the teaspoon will be very useful.

GongfuTea Set

Cha He: its has the similar function as Chaze, which are all used for setting tea. But the tea holder has more visual effects. As we have learned that its main purpose is to deliver tea leaves from container into tea pot. Usually, it is made of bamboo both practical and artistic. Killing two birds with one stone.

Tea Brush

Tea Brush: The tea brush in a Gongfu tea set is used for cleaning the teaware, such as the tea pot, fair cup, and tea cups. The bristles of the brush are highly soft and usually made from animal hair.

Tea Pet

Tea Pet: A small decor piece, the tea pet, is placed on the Gongfu tray along with all the other pieces of the set. It's typically an animal figure carved out of clay. While it may look like a decorative addition, there's actually a tradition behind it. Any leftover tea is poured onto the pet figure. It was believed that tea gave these clay pets a soul. They're like a companion for the tea ceremony.

How to Use a Gongfu Tea Set?

If you're going to use a Gongfu tea tray set, you must know how to use it the correct way. Here's a step-by-step guide to making Gongfu cha the way the Chinese do it:

Step 1: Gather Your Tea Set

Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary tools and teaware. This includes the teapot with the lid, tea cups, a tea pitcher, a tea tray, a tea towel, a tea scoop, and a tea strainer. Each piece plays a vital role in the brewing process, so it's essential to have everything ready before you start. Place all the pieces on the tray.

Step 2: Preheat Your Teaware

To ensure that your tea brews at the perfect temperature, it's important to preheat your teapot, tea cups, and tea pitcher. Simply rinse them with hot water and discard the water before you begin brewing.

Step 3: Measure Your Tea Leaves

Using the tea scoop, measure the desired tea leaves and place them in the preheated teapot. The amount of tea leaves used will depend on personal preference and the type of tea you're making. Aim for about one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup of water as a general rule of thumb.

Step 4: Add Hot Water

Once your tea leaves are in the teapot, carefully pour hot water over them. The water temperature will vary depending on the type of tea, so be sure to use water that is appropriate for the specific variety of tea. For delicate teas like green or white tea, a temperature of 175°F (80°C) is ideal. On the other hand, darker teas like black or oolong tea may require slightly hotter water, around 195°F (90°C).

Step 5: Steep the Tea

Allow the tea leaves to steep for the appropriate amount of time. The steeping time will vary depending on the type of tea and your personal preference. It's best to start with shorter steeping times and gradually increase as you become familiar with the tea. During this time, take a moment to appreciate the aroma of the tea as it fills the air.

Step 6: Pour and Serve

Once the tea has finished steeping, carefully pour it into the tea pitcher using a slow and steady motion. This helps ensure that the tea is evenly distributed and prevents leaves from escaping into the cups. From the tea pitcher, pour the tea into the preheated tea cups, filling them about three-quarters full.

Step 7: Enjoy Gongfu Cha!

With your tea brewed and poured, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Take a moment to savor the complex flavors and aromas of the tea and appreciate the artistry and tradition that went into brewing it. Gongfu tea brewing is an experience to be cherished and savored.

What is Gongfu Tea Ceremony? Learn Kungfu Tea Ceremony Here

If you have not heard of Chinese traditional gongfu cha ceremony before, below are few steps to show you about kung fu tea ceremony.

Gongfu Tea-making method

There are certain tea-making procedures to follow and good match between tea and water. Good tea-making skills can add to the flavor of good tea.

1. Proportion of tea and water

The tea consumption is based mainly on tea category, size of tea sets and drinker's daily habits.

Usually for a 200 ml cup, 3-4 grams of tea leaves is ok. In the first infusion, put the boiling water of 1/3 cup. After that, pour boiling water to the 7/10 or 8/10 cup. Full liquid may arouse unhappiness and discomfort of guests.

Proportion of tea and water relates to tea category. Concerning the very fluffy tea, such as Pekoe Oolong, Biluochun a 7/10 or 8/10 cup of water is suitable. For the little tight tea, a 1/4 pot of water is satisfying, such as the bunched Oolong tea, White Pekoe Silver Needle in the form of bar, thin and fluffy green tea and so on. A 1/5 pot of water is best as to the extremely dense tea, like the sword- shaped Longjing, the needle-like Kungfu black tea, Yulu tea, the spherical gunpowder tea, the angular broken tea, and the scenting scented tea. The tea dosage varies. For regular tea drinkers or manual workers, it is generally to increase the amount of tea leaves and to make a cup of strong tea. For mental workers, or people not addicted to tea, less tea leaves and a cup of fragrant tea are best.

2. Mastery of infusion time

Infusion time relates to rough or tender tea leaves, amount of tea leaves, and water temperature, and also the drinker's taste.

To make a variety of tea extracts in proper proportion in liquid with good color and taste, the first infusion is standardized to be 5 minutes for 3 grams tea leaves (6 minutes for Tie Kwan- yin and heavily-fermented tea).

Relatively tight tea, roundness tea, stretches a lot after infusion. To make sure a wonderful taste, the second and third infusion should be shortened.

Old tea or crude tea need longer infusion time; tender tea leaves easily extracts; re-withered, lightly-fermented white tea such as White Pekoe Silver Needle, White Peony, leaches slowly, and infusion time needs extended.

3. Mastery of times in brewing

After each renewal of water, the leaching active ingredients decrease from tea leaves. The soluble substances can extract 50% to 55% from tea after the first infusion and 30% after the second infusion.

The tea color fades through infusions and nutrients disappear, while harmful elements leach at the end. Thus it's inappropriate to brew tea for many times.

Three infusions are normally recommended for green tea, black tea, and scented tea. Oolong tea can be brewed 4 to 6 times continuously to take full advantage of the active ingredients. Only one infusion is good for broken tea, White Pekoe Silver Needle, and Junshan Silver Needle.

In addition, bagged tea is usually the tea powder of black tea, green tea, scented tea or Pu'er tea, which is easy to extract and only one infusion is enough.

Gongfu Tea-making etiquette

1. Physical Requirements

Walking: walk with two hands crossed in the lower abdomen.

Standing: stand in the best performing posture, notice the facial expressions, and cast the beautiful, sincere eyes to the audience.

Sitting: sit cross-legged.

Kneeling: with knees touching the ground, sit the hip on your legs.

Salute: mainly a bow. Bow deeply and slowly to show deep and sincere respect.

2. Specifications on brewing tea

When making tea, sit quietly with straight spine, and maintain a beautiful, elegant posture. Don't lift up your arms and shoulders high when holding the teapot, or pouring tea or water. Don't tilt your body.

Try not to speak to avoid affecting the aroma and air of tea.

Don't put the spout towards to the guests but to yourself to show respect for the guests.

When pouring tea, do not act too much like the palms facing up, and it is a sense of indecency.

Gongfu Tea-serving etiquette

1. Way of tea-serving

Tea-serving, in general, is to hold the cup body with the thumb and index finger of the right hand, wipe the bottom of the cup on the tea towel, use the left thumb and middle finger to hold both sides of the middle of the cup, put the holder on the tea towel, and then present the tea cup with both hands to customers. Offer the tea with the left hand, and make the please position with the right hand, saying "Please drink tea". The guests indicate with the right hand and say "Thank you".

If there are two or more guests, the tea must be offered in uniform color, and put in the tea tray. Hold the bottom with left hand and the edge with another hand. Serve the tea with the right hand on the guests?right side.

2. Sequence of tea serving

Guests first, and then the host.

The guest of honor first, and then the second main guest.

Women first, and then men.

The elder first, and then the younger.

3. Three principles of tea-serving

Distance: don't place the tea tray too close or too far to the guest. It's too close when guests hold a cup with the bending angle of the arm less than 90 degrees, whereas it's too far if they straight arm to get the cup.

Height: don't make the tea tray side too high or too low. If too high, it's hard for guests to pick up the cup, and if too low, your body will bend badly. The proper height is to allow guests to see the tea at a 45 degree angle of depression.

Stability: be sure to stable the tea tray. When guests hold the cup steadily, move slowly the tea tray, so as not to upset the cup.

Gong Fu Tea-tasting etiquette

1. Tea-tasting with a glasss

When having a green tea or fruit tea, take a deep and straight transparent glass. First, put tea leaves into the glass, pour the boiling water of 80℃ and stop when the water is 1.5 cm nearby the mouth of the cup, and stir gently with a spoon or a stirring rod. Put the glass on the table, with one hand touching the cup body and the other hand's thumb and middle finger (or index finger) handling spoon, slowly stirring in a clockwise direction. After a few times, the tea is changed into the transparent color like crystal with fragrance overflowing.

2. Tea-serving with a gaiwan

The standard posture of tasting gaiwan tea is to hold the gaiwan in one hand, and the cover in another hand, and to put the gaiwan in front of chest, with hands slowly up. Hold the cover with the thumb and middle finger and slightly slide the cover to make the close side of the lid down gently across the tea water and to set aside the floating herbs and tea leaves.

If the liquid is very hot, the taster can blow gently with his mouth to help cooling. But don't make a noise.

Tasting tea in a gaiwan, one smells the tea fragrance first, and then enjoys the color, and drinks good tea. It is exactly the beauty of brewing tea with gaiwan.

3. Tea-serving with a porcelain cup

Porcelain cup is appropriate for black tea. Put tea leaves into the cup, and only infuse seven tenths of water. Otherwise, it will not meet the tea etiquette. Moreover, too much water may cause burning to the guests or yourself.

The standard of tasting gongfu tea

Observe, smell, taste, and savor

Observe the dry tea, liquid and brewed tea leaves

Firstly, observe the dry tea. Different teas look differently. Tea is divided into bud tea, leaf tea, roundness tea, and stick tea. Each tea differs in color, character, uniformity, tight, and details. Secondly, observe the liquid. Judge the quality and category of tea according to the liquid's freshness and brightness and transparency.

Thirdly, observe brewed tea leaves. That includes thickness, uniformity, and completion of tea leaves. Also remember to observe whether petals have scorch batches, red veins, and red stalks.

Smell in three different phases

Smell when it's dry. It is to smell before brewing and to judge whether the tea is old, rotten, or other bad smells.

Smell in the process of brewing. Smell the rising hot-gas and the special fragrant smell released from the liquid. Smells vary: sweet smell, fire smell, clear smell, flower smell, chestnut smell, etc. These smells are mellow, quiet elegant, refreshing, or natural.

Smell after brewing. Smell the fragrance left on the tea cover and cup bottom. When drinking, other fragrances covered by high temperature will release slowly, smell again, aftertaste the soup.

Three taste aspects

First aspect. To taste the duration of heating, and tell whether it's heated too long, sufficiently, or not enough, or it just has the smell of the sunshine.

Second aspect. To taste the flavor, let the tea water flows in the mouth, and experience sufficiently feelings that the tea brings to different organs so that you can tell the different characters.

Third aspect. After having experienced the taste of tea, aftertaste the lingering charm left in the mouth.

Three aftertaste aspects

Firstly, use the root of tongue to aftertaste the sweetness of the liquid.

Secondly, use the teeth to cheek the aftertaste of the liquid's fragrance.

Thirdly, experience continuous freshness in the throat.

Above are all the details about gongfu tea sets and gong fu tea ceremony, it looks like a bit complex. No worries, below is a simple video to show you how to brew gongfu cha by kung fu tea sets in a simple gongfu tea ceremony way. Take it easy and enjoy this video

The Best Gongfu Tea Sets

Are you searching for an authentic, beautiful Gong fu cha tea set? Umi Tea Sets carries a wide selection of genuine Gongfu tea sets. Curated by our experts, each piece in each set is handcrafted with care and precision. You can find plenty of variety in design and material, ranging from traditional to experimental. Look at our collection of Gongfu tea sets and get the best Asian tea set with tray for your next Chinese tea ceremony!