How to Create a Mini Gongfu Tea Setup at Home

What Is Gongfu Tea?

“Gongfu” literally means “skill” or “effort.” Gongfu tea is a style of brewing that emphasizes precision, patience, and multiple quick infusions to extract layers of flavor from high-quality tea leaves—especially oolong and pu-erh.

This traditional tea ceremony is as much about mindfulness and connection as it is about taste.

Essential Tools for Your Mini Gongfu Setup

You don’t need a full tea table or a teapot set with dozens of pieces. Here are the essentials for beginners:

Small Teapot or Gaiwan
A small Yixing clay teapot or a porcelain gaiwan (lidded bowl) of about 100 ml capacity is ideal.
Tea Cups
Small tasting cups (about 30-50 ml) to enjoy the aroma and flavor in small sips.
Tea Tray or Saucer
Something to catch spills and hold your cups and pot—this could be a bamboo tray or any waterproof surface.
Tea Scoop or Spoon
To measure tea leaves accurately.
Kettle with Temperature Control
Precise water temperature is key to Gongfu brewing.

Basic Steps to Brew Gongfu Tea

Warm the Pot and Cups: Pour hot water into the teapot and cups, then discard.
Add Tea Leaves: Use about 5-7 grams of tea leaves for a 100 ml teapot.
Rinse the Leaves: Quickly pour hot water (temperature depends on tea type) over leaves, then discard to awaken the leaves.
Steep: Pour hot water and steep for 10-30 seconds for the first infusion.
Serve Sip: Pour into cups and savor the complex flavors.
Repeat: Gongfu tea is brewed multiple times with increasing infusion times.

Tips for Success

Use fresh, high-quality loose leaf tea like oolong, pu-erh, or white tea from TeaTeapot.com.
Experiment with steeping time and water temperature to find your perfect brew.
Enjoy the ritual—take time to smell the dry leaves, watch the liquor color, and sip slowly.