In a world that moves ever faster, the Chinese tea ceremony remains an island of stillness.
It doesn’t try to impress — it invites you to feel.
Every gesture of the tea master is filled with meaning, every cup is a quiet dialogue with nature.
At Gaba Tea House, we see Gongfu Cha not merely as a tradition but as a living art form — where taste connects centuries, and aroma preserves the philosophy of balance.
Essential Tea Ware
To prepare tea in the Gongfu Cha (工夫茶) style, every detail matters.
This method is built on respect — for craftsmanship, purity, and harmony.
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Teapot — made of Yixing clay or porcelain.
Clay suits oolongs and pu-erhs; porcelain is perfect for green and white teas. - Tea tray (Cha Ban) — a bamboo or wooden tray with drainage, symbolizing flow and cleansing.
- Kettle (Cha Hu) — metal or glass, used to control water temperature precisely.
- Teacups (Cha Bei) — small cups (30–50 ml) to concentrate flavor and aroma.
- Scent cup (Wen Xiang Bei) — a tall cup for appreciating aroma before tasting.
- Tea presentation vessel (Cha He) — where the dry leaves are shown to guests.
- Fairness pitcher (Cha Hai) — ensures the infusion is poured evenly for everyone.
- Tea tongs (Cha Jia) — to handle cups without touching them.
- Tea towel (Cha Jin) — a sign of respect and purity.
Each item serves a purpose — to create harmony between the outer and inner worlds, between the leaf and the person.
Choosing the Right Tea
Gongfu Cha is meant for high-quality loose-leaf teas — living, aromatic, and full of story.
- Oolong — Da Hong Pao, Dan Cong, and Taiwanese varieties like GABA Tea and Gao Shan.
- Pu-erh — both sheng and shu, offering deep, earthy infusions.
- White tea — Bai Mu Dan or Shou Mei, gentle and transparent.
- Green tea — delicate and fresh, requiring soft, precise brewing.
Each tea reflects its region, its climate, and the hands that made it.
That’s why Taiwanese oolongs and GABA Tea, offered by Gaba Tea House, are so treasured — they embody tradition, purity, and the calm energy of the mountains.
Preparation
Preparation is the beginning of the ceremony — the moment when tea awakens.
- Water — 90–100°C, depending on the tea type.
- Warming the utensils — pour hot water over teaware to “awaken” it.
- Measuring the leaves — around 5–7 grams per 100 ml of water.
- Rinsing the leaves — the first short infusion is poured out to cleanse and open the tea.
This step symbolizes respect — for nature, for the tea master, and for the moment itself.
Brewing
The first steep lasts 5–10 seconds. Each following one extends slightly.
Gongfu Cha is brewed in many infusions — often 6 to 12.
After each infusion, the tea is poured into the fairness pitcher, ensuring an even taste for all guests.
Each cup becomes a new chapter in one quiet story — clear, balanced, and profound.
The Ritual and Its Meaning
The tea ceremony is not about technique — it’s about presence.
It begins by observing the dry leaves, inhaling their fragrance, admiring their form.
As the tea awakens, its aroma fills the air: flowers, caramel, nuts, or the scent of earth after rain.
Each steep feels like a meeting.
The tea is sipped slowly, in silence, allowing flavor to unfold and time to soften.
Gongfu Cha teaches us to return to the present moment — to listen to stillness and feel gratitude.
Selecting Tea for Gongfu Cha
For an authentic experience, choose teas that reveal themselves gradually.
Medium- or lightly-roasted oolongs — such as GABA Tea or high mountain Taiwanese oolong — perfectly express the spirit of Gongfu Cha: purity of flavor, soft aroma, and deep aftertaste.
At Gaba Tea House, we preserve the traditions inherited from the tea masters of China and Taiwan, and we share them in every blend.
Each tea we offer is more than a drink — it’s a story told through fragrance and silence.
Conclusion
Gongfu Cha is not just a brewing method.
It’s an art of being present — seeing beauty in small details and honoring the craft behind every leaf.
It teaches us to slow down, to listen to flavor, and to feel the breath of water and earth.
This is the essence of tea philosophy — and the heart of Gaba Tea House:
to preserve harmony, continue the heritage of Taiwan and China, and inspire mindful enjoyment, one cup at a time.
