Gong Fu Tea

Ohio was hit with a snowstorm last night.  All the area schools were cancelled today.  I decided to have my morning tea Gong Fu style.

I participated in a couple Gong Fu tea ceremonies several years ago.  I attended an evening class at Sweet Shalom in 2011.  I found some of my Gong Fu supplies and had a little ceremony with the traveling teapot.

Tea Cart filled with Gong Fu supplies

We are team oolong

Warming the pot and heating the cups

Appreciate excellent tea

The black dragon enters the palace

Rinsing from an elevated pot

The Spring Wind Brushes the Surface

drifting clouds and flowing water

Rinsed tea leaves

Direct again the pure spring

The dragon and phoenix in auspicious union

The carp turns over

Respectfully receive the fragrant tea

40 second brew time 190 degree water

The tea smelled grassy, a bit floral and sweet.

Small first sip

Tea tasted soft and a bit grassy

Main sip and then the after taste

Main sip was a bit more grassy

After taste was stronger

spent leaves after one infusion

second infusion

60 seconds

less grassy, smoother, a bit buttery and a bit of floral

third infusion

80 seconds

very buttery, less grassy

The flavor is holding up and I enjoy it more with each infusion

fourth infusion

100 seconds

flavor was even more pronounced and smooth

This was my favorite

fifth infusion

2.5 minutes

still nice but the grassy taste is coming back

flavor is lacking and it is time to quit

spent tea leaves in the same dish as the earlier photo

Clean up is part of the ritual

My tea things were rinsed and the outside of the pot has been rubbed and polished.

Just a little tip from someone who learned the hard way - be sure you close the drain spout on your tea tray.

The color of the tea in the cups was a pretty yellow.  The light reflecting from the snow was making my photos pretty washed out, sorry.  My husband couldn't wait to go out and push snow for the first time this year.  I enjoyed setting my tea cart by the window and watching as I sipped my tea.  

 I enjoyed some music and had a relaxing morning.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa and the Teapot