Gongfu Tea at Tao of Tea

Gongfu utensils

I recently had the chance to introduce my DH (dear hubby) to one of my favorite places, the Classical Chinese Garden in Portland. After a tour of the garden we shared tea at the Tower of Cosmic Reflections (managed by the Tao of Tea) tearoom.

Last time I was here I had tea in the gaiwan style. This time we shared tea in the gongfu style. Gongfu is a Chinese tea ceremony. It is used with oolong and pu-erh teas. I will describe the ceremony as I experienced it (there are variations).

The utensils are shown in the photo at the top of the page. You need a kettle for the hot water, a drain tray for rinsing the tea (and pouring out the water), a clay teapot, a container for the brewed tea, the aroma (cylindrical) cups and thimble-sized drinking cups (not shown in the top photo), and of course a special tea.

We were drinking Mensong tea, a pu-erh from an old growth tea forest.

First, the teapot and cups are warmed and rinsed with the hot water. The water is poured out through the slots in the drain tray.

Next, the participants take note of the shape, texture and aroma of the dry leaf. Then the tea leaves are added to the pot and and rinsed. This rinsing liquid is poured off.

Now the leaves are steeped again (considered the first brewing). In my case, the tea was poured into the glass pitcher and from there into the small cylindrical cups, then topped with the tasting cups. The two are inverted - and the participant uses the cylindrical (aroma) cups to inhale the essence of the tea.

First brewing poured into the aroma cups

Cups are inverted and participants appreciate the aroma from the tall, cylindrical cups

Again, this brew was poured off (and over the teapot).

Now we are ready to taste the tea! The next brew (and several more) are poured into the small tasting cups and enjoyed. According to tradition, this should be consumed in three sips.

It's a special moment focused on the conscious appreciation of tea. Unfortunately, my description leaves out a lot of nuance and detail. If you ever have the chance to attend a gongfu tea ceremony, please do!

(Apologies to my Oregon friends! I didn't have time for a visit this trip.)