How to Choose My First (and 100th) Gaiwan
There’s a joke in the tea world that your first gaiwan is never your last. You buy one to “see what it’s like.” Then one day, you open a drawer and realize—there’s a whole lineup waiting for their moment.
I’m not quite at 100 (yet). But I know people who are. One of my friends in China, a serious Jianzhan and chawan collector, has nearly a hundred pieces. His tea studio shelves are like a museum—more on that when I write about Jianzhan. You’re going to love it.
For now, let’s talk about choosing your first gaiwan. And maybe, what leads you toward your 100th.
* 140ml Gaiwan with glass body and porcelain lid—lightweight, clear, and great for watching tea unfurl.
What Makes a Great First Gaiwan?
Your first gaiwan should be approachable, forgiving, and pleasant to use. Here’s what I recommend looking for:
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Medium size (around 120–150ml) — Big enough to brew for one or two, but not overwhelming.
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Porcelain or stoneware — Smooth surface, easy to clean, no fuss.
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Simple glaze — You don’t want to be too precious with it. You’ll spill, you’ll scratch. That’s okay.
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Comfortable lid fit — Not too tight, not too loose. The lid should glide and seal naturally.
Your first gaiwan is your teacher. It’s where you’ll learn hand grip, leaf control, pour angle, and temperature management.
Think of it like your first yoga mat or favorite chef’s knife—it may not be fancy, but it fits you.
Also: don’t buy your most expensive one first. Gaiwans are surprisingly durable and not easy to break—but you’ll want the freedom to experiment. In later posts, I’ll go deeper into choosing by glaze, texture, and origin, so you’ll feel more confident when investing in one you truly love.
What About Size? A Quick Breakdown
Just like coffee drinkers have their espresso cups, flat whites, and 12oz mugs, gaiwans come in different sizes to match your tea habits:
- 100–120ml — Great for intense steeps, solo tasting, or delicate teas like green or white.
- 130–160ml — Balanced for daily use. My personal favorite range.
- 180–220ml — Ideal for sharing or when you want longer sessions with fewer re-steeps.
If you're unsure, aim for 130–150ml as a starting point. You’ll grow into smaller or larger pieces as your style evolves.
* 150ml Aurora-inspired glaze gaiwan with matte porcelain—where daily tea meets cosmic calm.
Material Talk: Porcelain, Glass, Clay, Metal
Material matters—but maybe not as much as you think at the start.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
- Porcelain — Classic, clean, neutral. Shows tea color well. Good for beginners.
- Stoneware/Ceramic — Holds heat better, adds texture. Often more artisanal.
- Glass — Great for watching leaf movement. Slightly less heat retention.
- Zisha (Yixing clay) — Absorbs tea oils over time, best for experienced brewers or dedicated use with one tea type.
- Titanium/Metal — Rare but ultra-durable. Better for travel or outdoor brewing. In fact, more people in China have embraced titanium gaiwans in recent years—as tea moves from karaoke bars to mountain trails and campsites. It's part of a younger generation reconnecting with tea in nature.
Your first gaiwan doesn’t need to be exotic. It needs to be usable. Once you have the basics down, the real fun begins.
How I Choose the Ones I Use Most
Over time, your preferences will shift. Some days I want something bright and joyful—like an aurora-glazed piece that reminds me of mountain skies. Other days I reach for a muted wabi-sabi bowl that feels grounding.
What I’ve noticed:
- I use certain gaiwans more often not because they’re more expensive—but because they feel right in the hand.
- I avoid ones with super tight lids or overly wide bowls. Pouring should be effortless.
- I gravitate toward those that feel balanced when full.
These details matter a lot when you're new: a tight lid or slippery rim can make brewing stressful. But seasoned tea drinkers—like gongfu masters—hardly even think about these things. They adapt to the shape, the pour, the quirks of each vessel.
A good gaiwan almost disappears while you use it. It lets you focus on the tea.
* 150ml “Ice Jade” crystal-glazed gaiwan—smooth-pouring and serene, a joy to hold.
From First to Favorite to… the 100th
Here’s the funny thing: I’ve bought and gifted many gaiwans, but I still find myself coming back to my earliest ones.
They’re not the most beautiful, but they pour reliably and feel familiar. They’re part of my rhythm.
If you ever get to 100, don’t be surprised if your favorite is still number one.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a gaiwan isn’t about following a rulebook. It’s about finding a tool that helps you brew with intention and presence.
Start simple. Use it often. Let your preferences shape the rest.
And if you’re just getting started, I’ve curated a few beginner-friendly pieces in my shop that are balanced, beautiful, and easy to love: 👉 https://www.delotuscrafts.com
Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth—you’ll know when a gaiwan belongs with you.