Gardenia Gaiwan

This nifty gaiwan, made of hand-painted porcelain from Chaozhou, reflects the merging of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics: the bright white of the ceramic makes the perfect backdrop for a classic flower bud motif and simple parallel lines in blue, as well as to show off the colour of the tea within. Its comfortable size fits nicely in the hand, while roomy enough to serve as the centrepiece of your next gongfu session with friends.

Why do I need a gaiwan?

The gaiwan is the most common tea vessel in China. It comprises three pieces: a thin-walled, handle-less cup, a saucer, and a lid. The cup is given a flared lip to hold it without burning one’s fingers.

According to custom, you should brew only the precise quantity of tea that you need to serve you and your guests. Several infusions follow; only freshly brewed tea is dispensed in the cups. This procedure guarantees best results.

Unlike Yixing teapots, the gaiwan does not retain odours. So you can brew different kinds of tea in the same gaiwan.

Usage: steep the leaves in the gaiwan and pour the brewed tea into a second pot for serving. Use a strainer if necessary. Repeat several times, refilling the gaiwan.