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Jan 17th, '09, 13:26
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How to use a Gaiwan properly?

by TIM » Jan 17th, '09, 13:26

Image

There are many ways to use a gaiwan properly. Thru out dynasties and period of tea trends, different parts of China had developed different ways of using it. Northern folks drink more greener Dragonwell and Jade Snail Spring or Red tea. Cantonese and Fujianese drink more roasted or light oolongs, and Southern folks drink puerh or black tea. All requires a different way of brewing using a giawan.

Nowadays, based on the Taiwanese tea movement after WW2, tea drinkers have adopted this style as a modern gaiwan Kung Fu method. So what are the differences? If we can have a gathering of videos or pics from the internet, and dig deeper to the understanding of the pros and cons of properly using a giawan. Hopefully we can all learn from each other....
Last edited by TIM on Jan 22nd, '09, 00:40, edited 1 time in total.

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Jan 17th, '09, 15:38
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by Geekgirl » Jan 17th, '09, 15:38

LOVE the photo. Those are some very lovely gaiwan.

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by scruffmcgruff » Jan 17th, '09, 16:52

Ooh, pretty! I'm curious, are the different shapes typically used for different teas? I imagine the rounder ones might be better for balled oolongs and such (going by what I have heard about yixing matching), but that's all I could even guess about. I'd love to hear your insight!

Also, I don't normally like to self-promote, but since it was asked for:

My Beginner's Guide to Gaiwans. Nothing fancy, just the easiest way (in my opinion) to use a gaiwan without burning yourself.

Wrong Fu Video #2. Scroll down for the video. This is my attempt to perform the technique described by Imen for brewing dancong. It may or may not be completely wrong, but I welcome criticism.

I'm glad you started this thread, Tim. The gaiwan is my favorite piece of teaware. It is so elegantly simple yet can be used for many different teas. The lid even works as an aroma cup without the added hassle of using multiple cups (which I hardly ever bother to use).

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Jan 19th, '09, 15:10
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by TIM » Jan 19th, '09, 15:10

scruffmcgruff wrote:Ooh, pretty! I'm curious, are the different shapes typically used for different teas? I imagine the rounder ones might be better for balled oolongs and such (going by what I have heard about yixing matching), but that's all I could even guess about. I'd love to hear your insight!

Also, I don't normally like to self-promote, but since it was asked for:

My Beginner's Guide to Gaiwans. Nothing fancy, just the easiest way (in my opinion) to use a gaiwan without burning yourself.

Wrong Fu Video #2. Scroll down for the video. This is my attempt to perform the technique described by Imen for brewing dancong. It may or may not be completely wrong, but I welcome criticism.

I'm glad you started this thread, Tim. The gaiwan is my favorite piece of teaware. It is so elegantly simple yet can be used for many different teas. The lid even works as an aroma cup without the added hassle of using multiple cups (which I hardly ever bother to use).
Thanks Sruffmcgruff and GeekgirlUnveiled : )
Thanks again to Hop's great vids http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=7908, Owner of Xi-Zhi Hao in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...re=related
I don't think I can tape myself doing gaiwan Gong Fu. But if you look carefully S- When he is pouring the stream into it... starting from the right edge. I was taught that is the better way to brew. It sought of create a roll inside half way when filling the cup. Control by the height of the stream, it swirl and evenly distribute the heat/water around the leaves and also clean the tea better?

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Jan 19th, '09, 20:18
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by xuancheng » Jan 19th, '09, 20:18

TIM wrote: Owner of Xi-Zhi Hao in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...re=related
Is this link broken? I can't watch the video no matter what I try.
TIM wrote: I don't think I can tape myself doing gaiwan Gong Fu. ...
We'd all love to see! Maybe you might reconsider?
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by scruffmcgruff » Jan 19th, '09, 20:40

If you go to the thread Tim linked and follow the link there, it works.

But to save you the trouble...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoFv3N2m ... re=related
Tea Nerd - www.teanerd.com

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by Salsero » Jan 19th, '09, 20:43

xuancheng wrote: We'd all love to see! Maybe you might reconsider?
It might lead to a very lucrative career in Hollywood!

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Jan 21st, '09, 11:45
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by TIM » Jan 21st, '09, 11:45

Salsero wrote:
xuancheng wrote: We'd all love to see! Maybe you might reconsider?
It might lead to a very lucrative career in Hollywood!
Kung Hei Fat Choy, Sal!
Image
.... not a hand model, of course :wink:

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by Salsero » Jan 21st, '09, 12:04

TIM wrote: Kung Hei Fat Choy, Sal!
Thanks for the nice New Year gift ... though a red envelope would have been nice too!

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by xuancheng » Jan 21st, '09, 23:09

Nice pictures, Tim, and thanks a lot for sharing them with us all!

In the picture it looks like you put the cover of the gaiwan over the lip of the cup when you pour the tea, instead of inside the cup. Is this true or am I seeing things. I have never seen anyone use a gaiwan this way. Is it common amongst some circles? Are there any reasons for it? Who taught you to use it this way, or did you think of it yourself?
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Jan 21st, '09, 23:49
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by Salsero » Jan 21st, '09, 23:49

In frame 5, are you rinsing the gunk off the lid?

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by chrl42 » Jan 22nd, '09, 00:33

Salsero wrote:In frame 5, are you rinsing the gunk off the lid?
He is.

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by TIM » Jan 22nd, '09, 00:33

xuancheng wrote:Nice pictures, Tim, and thanks a lot for sharing them with us all!

In the picture it looks like you put the cover of the gaiwan over the lip of the cup when you pour the tea, instead of inside the cup. Is this true or am I seeing things. I have never seen anyone use a gaiwan this way. Is it common amongst some circles? Are there any reasons for it? Who taught you to use it this way, or did you think of it yourself?
Xuancheng - You are very welcome, and I think you seeing things :lol: of course the lid should be use inside instead of the other way.

Sal - Yes. gunk off time

btw, the model is not me, but Michael from the Tea Gallery. I hope one day, I will have his Kung Fu skill.

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by Salsero » Jan 22nd, '09, 01:00

TIM wrote: btw, the model is not me, but Michael from the Tea Gallery.
Michael FTW

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by xuancheng » Jan 22nd, '09, 10:57

TIM wrote:Xuancheng - You are very welcome, and I think you seeing things :lol: of course the lid should be use inside instead of the other way.

Sal - Yes. gunk off time

btw, the model is not me, but Michael from the Tea Gallery. I hope one day, I will have his Kung Fu skill.
I get it now. frame 6 is an action shot and the cover isn't in place yet. Geniuses make mistakes sometimes... and so do I! :oops:
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