What is a Gaiwan Used For?
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A gaiwan is a versatile tool primarily used in the brewing and serving of Chinese tea, especially within the gongfu tea ceremony. Its design, featuring a bowl, lid, and saucer, allows for various functions that enhance the tea-drinking experience.
Brewing Loose Leaf Tea: The gaiwan’s open bowl and lid allow tea leaves to unfurl fully, releasing their rich flavors during steeping.
Quick Infusions: Made from thin porcelain or glass, the gaiwan cools rapidly, enabling brief steeping times, usually between 10-30 seconds, perfect for extracting delicate flavors.
Aroma Containment: The lid traps the tea’s aroma, intensifying the flavors and providing a more aromatic experience.
Decanting: After steeping, tea is carefully poured from the gaiwan into small cups, offering an elegant way to serve and enjoy tea.
Cooling: The gaiwan is ideal for quickly cooling the tea, preventing over-steeping and ensuring the perfect temperature.
Visual Presentation: The gaiwan showcases the beauty of tea leaves and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the tea service.
Portioning: Its small size makes it perfect for brewing 1-3 portions, allowing for personalized servings.
Convenience: Compact and easy to handle, with a built-in saucer that catches drips and holds spent leaves.
