What Tea Is Best for a Gaiwan? A Simple Guide by Type & Mood

When I started brewing tea with a gaiwan, I quickly learned it wasn’t just about technique—it was also about choosing the right tea to match the right moment.

Some teas come alive in a gaiwan. Others feel better suited to a teapot. In this post, I’ll share the teas I personally love brewing in a gaiwan, when I reach for each one, and how I think about gaiwan size the same way some people think about their coffee mugs.

🍵 Gaiwan Sizes, Explained Simply

Most gaiwans fall between 100ml and 180ml, with some even above 200ml. So how do you choose?

Think about it like coffee cups:

• 100–120ml: Like an espresso cup. Great for short, intense steeps or solo tasting.
• 130–160ml: Think flat white or small cappuccino. Flexible enough for daily use, shareable but personal.
• 180–220ml: Like your favorite pour-over mug. More mellow, good for cozy solo sessions or pouring into two cups.

I personally rotate between a 115ml and a 180ml gaiwan depending on the tea and the day.

*This 180ml crackled-glaze gaiwan pairs icy blues with warm amber—a quiet boldness.

🍃 What Teas Work Best in a Gaiwan?

Here are some of my go-to teas for gongfu-style brewing with a gaiwan:

Oolong (the classic choice)

• Rolled oolongs like tie guan yin or high mountain teas open up beautifully in a gaiwan.
• Each steep brings out new layers: floral, sweet, mineral.
• I use water at 90–95°C and steep multiple times in quick infusions.

Puerh (for deep grounding)

• Especially raw puerh, which benefits from tight steeping control.
• A gaiwan helps you notice subtle shifts between each pour.
• Aged shou puerh also works well—smooth, earthy, comforting.

White tea (for quiet moments)

• Fluffy white teas like bai mu dan bloom gently with the open top of a gaiwan.
• Use slightly cooler water (85–90°C).
• Great for rainy days or slow afternoons.

Green tea (trickier, but rewarding)

• More advanced due to temperature sensitivity.
• I use less leaf, shorter steep times, and a lid slightly ajar to prevent overheating.

🌤 Tea by Mood: My Personal Pairings

I often choose tea based on how I feel. Here’s what I reach for in different moments:

• Early morning: lightly roasted oolong for clarity
• Afternoon break: raw puerh or floral Dancong for focus
• Rainy days: white tea or mellow shou puerh
• When I feel restless: green tea to reset
• When I feel reflective: aged puerh to ground me
  

🎨 What Gaiwan Should You Brew In?

The tea matters—but so does the gaiwan.

At DeLotus, I handpick pieces that feel good to hold and beautiful to live with. I believe in pieces that elevate the ritual, not just serve a function.

Here’s how I choose what I stock:

• Texture & glaze: I love ice-crackled glazes, aurora colors, and burnt orange or jade tones that reflect nature.
• Size: Most are between 115ml–180ml, great for one or two people.
• Vibe: Whether you're into minimalist wabi-sabi pottery, or cosmic shimmer glazes, I try to offer something that speaks to the mood you want your tea to carry.

🍵 Personal Favorite?

I often reach for my Northern-light glazed gaiwan (150ml) when I want something expressive.
Or my wabi-sabi clay one with carvings, for grounding days when I need texture and stillness.

💬 Final Thoughts

A gaiwan isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is tea.

Try different leaves. Notice how they steep, how they feel in the cup, and how they move through you.

If you're curious to try a new tea—or find a new gaiwan for your ritual—take a look around my shop:
👉 www.delotuscrafts.com

I’d love to help you find one that feels just right.

—

Jessie @ DeLotus
Tea drinker, thoughtful packer, and curious wanderer.