The Chinese Way of Tea 中国茶道
Tea, made with skill and stillness.
Gongfu Cha is the Chinese practice of brewing tea with attention — more leaves, less water, many short infusions. A quiet ritual two thousand years in the making.
茶之为饮
发乎神农氏
The Classic of Tea · c. 760 AD
“Tea as a drink arose with Shennong, and was made known under the Duke of Zhou.”
陆羽《茶经》Lu Yu, The Classic of Tea — the first book ever written on tea
Begin Here
Four paths into Chinese tea
The Ceremony
工夫茶艺What Gongfu Cha really is, where it comes from, and how to brew your first session with a gaiwan — step by step.
Enter the ceremony 二
How to Drink
品茶之道Temperature, aroma, texture, and etiquette — how the Chinese taste tea, and how to host anyone with a single small pot.
Learn to taste 三
History & Culture
茶史文化From Shennong's legend to Lu Yu's Classic, the Tea Horse Road, and the quiet revival of craft tea today.
Read the history 四
Teaware
茶器Gaiwans, Yixing teapots, fairness pitchers, and cups — the tools that turn good leaves into a real Gongfu session.
Explore teawareThe six families of Chinese tea
六大茶类- 绿茶 Green Fresh and grassy — Longjing, Biluochun. The oldest style.
- 白茶 White Barely processed, honey-soft — Silver Needle, White Peony.
- 黄茶 Yellow The rarest family, mellow and round — Junshan Yinzhen.
- 青茶 Oolong The heart of Gongfu brewing — Dancong, Tieguanyin, Yancha.
- 红茶 Red What the West calls black — malty, warm — Dianhong, Qimen.
- 黑茶 Dark Aged and earthy, deepening with years — Pu-erh, Liubao.
Popular Guides
Start with these practical guides
What Is Gongfu Tea (Gongfu Cha)? A Beginner's Guide
Learn what gongfu tea is, where Gongfu Cha comes from, what teaware you need, and how to brew your first gongfu tea session step by step.
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How to Host a Gongfu Tea Ceremony Step by Step at Home
Learn how to host a Gongfu tea ceremony step by step, from setting the scene and choosing teaware to brewing oolong through multiple infusions with Chaozhou-style grace.
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How to Brew Gongfu Tea: Temperature & Time Chart (6 Tea Families)
Learn how to brew gongfu tea (Gongfu Cha) with the right water temperature and steep time for green, white, yellow, oolong, black, and dark tea.
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Gaiwan vs Yixing Teapot: Which Is Better for Gongfu Cha?
Compare gaiwan and Yixing teapot for Gongfu Cha. Learn which vessel to buy first, how they affect flavor, and when to use each.
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