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The Meaning of the Fairness Cup
The Gong Dao Bei (pronounced gōng dào bēi) is an essential tea utensil in Gongfu tea ceremonies.
If you've ever seen an authentic Chinese tea ceremony, you might have noticed the master pouring tea from the teapot into another pitcher or cup first. This is called the "fairness cup." The name means "fair cup," and in the West, it's often called a "fairness pitcher" or "cha hai ( meaning "the sea of tea")."
So, Cha Hai, Gong Dao Bei and Fairness Cup all refer to the same thing.
The Purpose of the Gong Dao Bei
The history of the Gong Dao Bei dates back to the Ming Dynasty in China when loose-leaf tea became more popular than tea cakes. The main reason for using it is to balance the tea's flavor. This is especially important when brewing black tea, oolong tea, and Pu-erh tea.
When brewing tea the traditional Chinese way, the steeping time is usually very short, only 5 to 15 seconds. During this time, the tea's flavor can change quickly. If you pour tea directly from the teapot into six cups, each cup might taste different. The first cup might only steep for 5 seconds, while the last cup might steep for 20 seconds, causing a huge difference in flavor.
By pouring the tea into the pitcher first, you can ensure that the tea's strength and taste are even. When you pour the tea from the Gong Dao Bei into individual cups, each cup will have the same color, taste, and aroma. This way, everyone receives an equal tea experience.
Using the cha hai also has other benefits. Many people prefer glass because they can see the tea inside, making pouring equal amounts into each guest's cup easier. Using a teapot alone might result in some cups being fuller than others. Additionally, the cha hai allows you to mix tea from multiple steepings, which can be convenient or necessary if you need more than one steeping for everyone.
The Gong Dao Bei can also be used with a tea strainer to filter out tea leaves and small particles, ensuring a clear and pure tea. When evaluating tea, it plays a vital role. Typically made of transparent materials like glass or crystal, you can observe the tea's color, clarity, and brightness. You can judge the quality of the tea, the degree of brewing, and the type of tea by looking at the tea in the pitcher. For example, high-quality black tea usually has a bright red color, while green tea has a clear green color. You can also smell the aroma of tea when it's in the Gong Dao Bei.
How to Choose a Gong Dao Bei
These cups come in various materials, including glass, crystal, ceramic, purple clay, and silver. You can choose based on your preference.
Glass
We recommend glass because you can see the tea inside and appreciate its beautiful color. It doesn't retain flavors, making it suitable for different types of tea.
Ceramic
Ceramic retains heat better and comes in various shapes and paintings. However, it’s not easy to observe the tea inside.
Purple Clay
It is recommended that you buy one for each type of tea, as the clay can retain flavors and affect the taste.
Capacity
These pitchers typically have a capacity of 150 to 300 ml. A smaller one is fine for personal use, but a larger one is better for sharing. We suggest buying a giant one to cover all situations.
Shapes
These pitchers come in different shapes, like straight, narrow mouth, and flared. A narrow mouth retains aroma better, while a flared shape makes pouring smoother. The spout should pour smoothly without dripping. Most have a spout shaped like an eagle's beak.Handles make it easier to hold, especially with hot tea, preventing burns.
After considering these points, think about the design. Choose one that matches your aesthetic and other tea utensils.
Conclusion
In summary, the Gong Dao Bei is practical and adds to the ceremony and culture of tea drinking, enhancing the entire tea session. Reading customer reviews can also help you choose a Gong Dao Bei that best suits your needs. It balances flavors and aromas, ensuring every guest enjoys the same taste and smell, making your tea sessions more enjoyable and fair.
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