Chinese Tea Ceremony: History and Procedure
The Chinese tea ceremony, called Gong Fu Cha, uniquely expresses the history and philosophy of China. It is a true ritual that begins with the careful selection of materials and culminates in the tasting.
Every gesture is measured and follows the principle of harmony from Zen philosophy.
Pouring good Chinese tea during Gong Fu Cha means honoring the guest and communicating deeply without words.
Origins of the Gong Fu Cha Tradition
The origins of the Chinese tea ceremony trace back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty. During that period, monks drank tea to enhance concentration and aid meditation. In the 8th century, the “Tea Classic” (Cha Jing) by Lu Yu gave this custom its ritual significance. Since then, Gong Fu Cha spread among the population and became an essential cultural and spiritual moment for the Chinese.
The Zen texts governing the ceremony prescribe four principles:
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Respect
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Harmony
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Purity
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Tranquility
Before practicing Gong Fu Cha yourself, make sure you are in the right mindset. Only then will your tea be prepared with the “care and attention” (the meaning of gongfu) necessary, turning it into an aesthetic moment that harmonizes man and nature (the word cha means both “tea” and “harmony”).
The Gong Fu Cha Ritual
The ceremony involves first pouring boiling water into the teapot, then into one of the gāiwǎn cups.
Water is moved from one cup to another in sequence to warm the entire set. The tea leaves are shown to guests so they can verify the quality, placed in the teapot, and covered with water. After a few seconds, the liquid is poured into the cups from first to last and back again.
Note: This is a preliminary rinse to wash dust from the tea. The contents are discarded into a special tray. Only then is the teapot refilled for the actual infusion. Once ready, tea is poured smoothly and quickly into the cups. If this seems complicated, don’t worry: it’s easier to do than explain. It’s all about experience, skill, and care.
Which Tea to Use for Gong Fu Cha?
The tea of choice for Gong Fu Cha is Oolong, a semi-oxidized variety from Fujian and Guangdong provinces. High-quality material is essential for the ritual. Our shop offers premium teas that preserve the flavor of this ancient tradition.
Gong Fu Cha Tools
The ceremony requires several tools:
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A handcrafted ceramic teapot called Yixing, with a porous surface that retains tea aromas
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A set of 100ml cups, called gāiwǎn
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A tray with an opening to collect water residue
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Tongs for handling hot cups
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A bamboo scoop called chásháo for measuring leaves
If you’re wondering where to find all this, we have a wide range of tea sets in our shop, perfect for performing the ceremony.