For tea lovers and connoisseurs, a gong fu tea ceremony is a
must! Gong fu is not a type of tea or a martial art, but an exact brewing
process, a method of preparing tea that creates the ideal tea experience.
Drinking tea is a tradition thats been around for centuries. It
is also one of the healthiest drinks, packed full of vitamins and
anti-oxidants, and is the perfect drink to share with friends at home. Creating
a tea party is the perfect occasion to enjoy the company of others and share
conversation about common interests. But, be careful. Tea contains L-theanine,
which releases endorphins that make people feel good and creates a talkative
atmosphere, so your tea party could last for hours and hours! So make sure you
allow for plenty of time so that everyone can appreciate the company of each
other!
The art of gong fu lies in a combination of the right amount of
tea leaves, the correct water temperature, the brewing time and the use of
special tea utensils.
To prepare tea gong fu style you will need a bamboo water tray,
a gong fu tea set in glass or china, comprising of a teapot, a server (jug), a
matching set of cups for the guests, a filter strainer, a set of bamboo tea
tools, tea scoop, tea tongs, a tea pick, and a clay tea ‘pet’,
which is a traditional part of the ceremony and is said to bring good luck to
those drinking the tea.
You can select whichever tea is your preference, jasmine sliver
needle (white tea), dragon well long jing (green tea), jasmine pearl, oolong,
black or puerh tea.
For a gong fu tea ceremony the guests are seated around the tea
table, with the server, the person preparing the tea, at the head of the
table. By the way, gong fu literally
means ‘pouring tea with skill’!
So once you've for your equipment ready and your guests seated
you're ready to start.
Firstly warm the cups and teapot by pouring hot water over them.
Pour the water away after a few seconds.Then add the appropriate amount of
premium loose leaf tea, using the tea scoop, into the teapot. Pour over water, preferably spring water, at
the appropriate temperature. Water temperatures of between 80-90 degrees C are
fine for white, green and oolong teas. Boiling water may be used for black or
puerh teas. Replace the lid on the teapot and continue to pour the hot water
over the small hole in the lid, this will ensure that the pot is full and
retains the right temperature.After the optimum infusion time, 5 seconds or
longer, according to taste, pour a little of the brewed liquid into each cup.
Never pour a full cup of tea! Like wine
tasting in western cultures, drinking tea, gong fu style is more about the
sense and taste rather than the quantity. It is even considered impolite in
China to completely fill your tea cup. You have been warned! Once all cups
contain the correct amount of tea, pour the remaining brewed liquid into a
server or jug. Always make sure that all the liquid is emptied from the teapot
to prevent remaining infusions from tasting bitter. If you are serving oolong,
or compressed puerh tea cakes you may which to rinse the tea leaves with hot water
before brewing as this allows the tea leaves to unfurl a little and provide a
better taste.
And, if you wish, have to hand some small cakes and biscuits for
your guests to eat in between brews. It also helps to cleanse the palate in
between tasting various different teas. Chocolate cake goes particularly well
with jasmine teas!
The gong fu method of preparing tea is simple and creates the
ideal tea experience that may be enjoyed by all tea drinkers alike. In todays
hectic lifestyle a gong fu tea party is an ideal social gathering, to get
together with friends, to slow down the pace of life, to chat, to enjoy tea and
the company of others.
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