GaiWan & Glass Brewing

What classes of tea are appropriate for Glass brewing? Green, flower tea. Good or high quality, tender tea that can be appreciated visually.   What classes of tea are appropriate GaiWan brewing? All medium or lower quality tea which visual appreciation is not necessary. Good quality green tea is ok as well.    Why GaiWan and glass brewing? Besides being casual and convenient methods of brewing, they are also low heat brewing processes. Since porcelain and glass loss heat quickly, they are the standard brewing methods for high grade green teas which can get overbrewed with high temperature brewing like Kung Fu Cha. In fact, both brewing methods are very similar except for the visual effect of seeing tea leaves dancing around in glass brewing.    Here we go!   For tea with rolled & solid leaves (which are heavy), 1/3 hot water*** in glass/cup first, then drop tea from above and let it sink, wait 2 minutes for tea to expand, fill up and cover. For tea with thin & light leaves (which won't sink), put tea in glass/cup first, then pour 1/3 hot water***, wait 2 minutes for tea to expand, fill up and cover.*** why 1/3? Because most green tea gets Se when overbrewed. 1/3 water is enough for the green tea leaves to get brewed but not carrying enough heat to kill it's flavor. And the first 1/3 water serves to lower the temperature of the 2/3 water added later.  Of course we can't rule out the possibility that you want to brew Oolong or Black tea etc. If so, Then, you need more heat. In step 1 and 2, you can start with a full glass/cup of water.  For glass brewing, after step 1 or 2, watch tea leaves dance in glass, drink after 3-5 minutes, including the 2 min in step 1 or 2. For GaiWan, go surf the internet for 3-5 minutes, including the 2 min in step 1 or 2, come back and drink. (brew time for specific teas, please refer to brewing table) Refill when tea is down to 1/3 cup. Repeat till flavor of tea runs out.   home back to brewing methods