When you first begin your Gongfu tea journey, you notice all the special tea tools. The small teapot is for brewing. The tiny cups are for drinking. But what about that small pitcher in the middle? What is a Gong Dao Bei? This seemingly simple vessel is one of the most crucial pieces in any kung fu tea accessories collection. This guide will explain why this humble pitcher, also known as a fairness cup, is the secret to a perfect, consistent brew every single time.
The Fairness Cup: The Most Important Teaware You’re Not Using
As a beginner, it’s easy to see the Gong Dao Bei as an extra, unnecessary step. Why pour from the pot to a pitcher, only to pour again into the cups? The reason is profound and lies at the very heart of the Gongfu philosophy: respect for the tea and for your guests. Once you understand its purpose, this simple piece of chinese tea ware will become an indispensable part of your ritual.
What is a Gong Dao Bei, or “Fairness Cup”?
Let’s start with a clear definition of this essential tool.
The “Justice Cup” or “Serving Pitcher”
Gong Dao Bei (公道杯) translates to “Justice Cup” or, more commonly, “Fairness Cup.” It also goes by the name Cha Hai (茶海), which means “Sea of Tea.” It is simply a small pitcher used to hold the tea liquor after it has been poured from the brewing vessel (like a Gaiwan or Yixing teapot) and before it is served into the individual tasting cups.
A Key Component of a Kung Fu Tea Set
While it may seem optional, a Gong Dao Bei is considered a standard and key component of a proper kung fu tea set. It acts as the intermediary, ensuring the tea that is brewed is the tea that is served, perfectly blended and consistent. It is a fundamental tool in the practice of Gongfu tea brewing.
The Core Principle: Why “Fairness” is Essential in Tea
The name “Fairness Cup” is not just poetic. It serves a very real, scientific purpose that directly impacts taste. This is the main reason why use a tea pitcher.
The Problem: Uneven Infusions from a Single Pour
When you pour directly from a teapot into several cups, the first cup will be weak, and the last cup will be strong. This is because the tea continues to infuse and get stronger as you are pouring. This means no two guests (or even your own first and second cup) will have the same tasting experience.
The “Nong Du” (Concentration) Changes as You Pour
This phenomenon is due to the changing nong du, or concentration, of the tea liquor. The liquid at the bottom of the pot has been in contact with the leaves the longest, making it the most concentrated. The liquid at the top is the least concentrated. Pouring directly distributes this uneven brew.
The Solution: Ensuring Every Cup Has the Same Taste
By pouring the entire infusion from your teapot into the Gong Dao Bei first, you mix the weak and strong parts of the brew together. The pitcher now holds a perfectly homogenous liquid. When you serve from the fairness cup, you guarantee that every single cup poured from that infusion is identical in strength, color, and flavor. That is true fairness.
Beyond Fairness: 3 Other Benefits of Using a Tea Pitcher
The benefits of this essential tool don’t stop at fairness.
Benefit 1: Allows Tea to Cool to a Perfect Drinking Temperature
Freshly brewed tea, especially from a high-heat vessel like an Yixing pot, can be very hot. Pouring it into the pitcher first allows it to cool slightly, bringing it down to an optimal drinking temperature so you can savor the flavors immediately without burning your tongue.
Benefit 2: Helps to Filter Out Small Tea Leaf Particles
Even with careful pouring from a Gaiwan or a pot with a built-in filter, some small leaf fragments can escape. The Gong Dao Bei acts as a second filter. As you pour into it, the fragments will settle at the bottom, ensuring a cleaner, clearer liquor in your final cup.
Benefit 3: A Perfect Vessel to Appreciate the Liquor’s Color
A glass Gong Dao Bei is a wonderful tool for appreciating the beautiful color of your tea. Holding the pitcher up to the light allows you to see the clarity and hue of the liquor—from the pale jade of a green tea to the deep ruby of a black tea—before you drink it.
How to Choose the Right Gong Dao Bei for Your Set
When looking at kung fu tea accessories, choosing a Gong Dao Bei is simple. Your choice mainly comes down to material and aesthetic.
Glass for Visual Clarity and Versatility
A glass pitcher is the most versatile and highly recommended choice for beginners. It allows you to see the tea’s color, it won’t retain any flavors (so you can use it for all teas), and it matches any tea set.
Porcelain or Ceramics for a Matching Aesthetic
If you have a beautiful porcelain or ceramic tea set, you may want to choose a Gong Dao Bei of the same material to create a cohesive, matching look for your tea table.
A Small Tool for a Major Improvement
The Gong Dao Bei is proof that in the world of Gongfu tea, every detail matters. This small, inexpensive tool makes a major improvement in your brewing. It elevates your practice from a simple steep to a thoughtful ritual, ensuring consistency, improving taste, and showing respect to your tea and your guests. It is an essential step on the path to the perfect pour.
Ready to ensure every cup you serve is perfectly consistent? A small tool can make a major improvement to your brew. .
FAQ: Your Fairness Cup Questions Answered
Do I really need a Gong Dao Bei to brew Gongfu style?
While you can certainly brew without one (especially if you are drinking alone and pouring into just one cup), using a Gong Dao Bei is considered essential for the true Gongfu method. It is the only way to ensure consistency when serving multiple cups and is a fundamental part of the ritual’s philosophy.
Can I just use any small pitcher?
Yes, in terms of function, any clean, heat-proof small pitcher will work. However, a proper Gong Dao Bei is designed for this purpose, with a spout that allows for a precise, drip-free pour, and a size that is proportionate to the rest of your Gongfu tea tools.
What is the difference between a Gong Dao Bei and a Cha Hai?
There is no difference! Gong Dao Bei (Fairness Cup) and Cha Hai (Sea of Tea) are two different names for the exact same vessel. Cha Hai is a more poetic name, while Gong Dao Bei more accurately describes its primary function.
Where can I buy a good fairness cup?
Where can I buy a good fairness cup? Look for a specialized tea ware vendor that offers a variety of materials. At , we offer a curated selection of glass and ceramic kung fu tea accessories