Brew Guides | The Practice - From Loose Leaf to Gongfu Tea

The Tea Edit

Stories, Guides & Rituals from the World of Tea

Explore Glazara's collection of tea culture articles, brewing guides, teaware knowledge, and seasonal rituals. From choosing the perfect gaiwan to understanding Jingdezhen porcelain, discover practical insights and inspiration for a more mindful tea practice.

Latest Articles

Gongfu Tea at Home: Build Your First Gaiwan Setup - Vessel, Pitcher, Cups

A minimum gongfu tea setup includes: one 100–150 ml gaiwan, a fairness pitcher (gongdaobei) to even out the brew, and 30–50 ml tasting cups. This three-piece kit lets you brew... Read more...

Gaiwan vs Chawan: What's the Difference Between a Tea Bowl and a Lidded Cup?

A gaiwan is a lidded brewing vessel with a saucer, designed for steeping and pouring. A chawan is a handleless tea bowl used in Japanese matcha ceremony for whisking and... Read more...

How to Whisk Matcha in a Narrow Cup Without Splashing

Switching from a wide chawan to a narrow matcha latte cup changes everything about whisking. Less room, more splash — unless you know the technique. Here's a step-by-step guide to... Read more...

What Is a Gaiwan? A Beginner's Complete Guide to the Chinese Lidded Tea Cup

A gaiwan (蓋碗, literally "lidded bowl") is a traditional Chinese three-piece tea vessel: a bowl, lid, and saucer. Used since the Ming Dynasty, it lets you brew, strain, and drink... Read more...

Jingdezhen Porcelain Guide: Why It Matters for Handcrafted Tea Ware

Learn why Jingdezhen porcelain is prized for handcrafted tea ware, from porcelain gaiwans and teacups to glaze, form, and daily tea rituals. Read more...

What Is a Gaiwan? A Complete Guide to the Chinese Lidded Tea Bowl

A beginner-friendly guide to the Chinese lidded tea bowl, explaining what a gaiwan is, how it works, and why porcelain gaiwans are essential for Gongfu tea brewing. Read more...

How to Pour Latte Art in a 220ml Cup: A Beginner's Walkthrough

A 220 ml cup is one of the most forgiving formats for learning latte art. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough — from espresso ratio to the "white dot" moment — that... Read more...

The Morning Matcha Ritual: How the Right Vessel Transforms a 5-Minute Routine

There's a quiet difference between making matcha and preparing it. The distinction rarely comes down to the matcha itself — more often, it comes down to the matcha ritual cup in your... Read more...

Why the Inward-Curl Rim Matters: Engineering a Cup That Works for Both Matcha and Latte Art

Most people don't think about cup geometry until something goes wrong — the matcha splashes mid-whisk, the milk pour breaks before the pattern forms. These aren't user errors. They're design... Read more...

The Honest Vessel: Why Porcelain is the Gold Standard for Gongfu Tea

Learn why high-fired porcelain is ideal for gongfu tea, from neutral flavor and vitrification to aroma clarity, heat control, and modern gaiwan brewing. Read more...

Porcelain vs Clay Gaiwan for Light Oolong Tea: Which One Should You Use?

Porcelain and clay both have a place in Gongfu tea, but light oolong often benefits from the clarity and neutrality of porcelain. Read more...

Porcelain vs Ceramic Teacups: How Different Materials Change the Tea Experience

Discover the differences between porcelain and ceramic teacups, how materials influence aroma, temperature, and mouthfeel, and how to choose the right teacup for your Gongfu tea ritual. Read more...

Best Gaiwan for Different Tea Types: Choosing the Right Gaiwan for Oolong, Pu-erh, Green, and White Tea

Not all gaiwans brew tea the same way. Discover how gaiwan size, shape, and porcelain craftsmanship influence the brewing of oolong, pu-erh, green, and white tea, and learn how to... Read more...

The Ultimate Guide to Wuyi Rock Tea: Cultivars, Roasting, Terroir, and Teaware

Discover Wuyi Rock Tea (Yancha), including Da Hong Pao, Rougui, terroir, roasting techniques, and the best teaware for authentic gongfu tea brewing. Read more...

Benefits of Using a Porcelain Gaiwan

Discover why porcelain gaiwans are favored for gongfu tea brewing, loose leaf tea, aroma evaluation, and mindful daily tea rituals. Read more...

How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Learn how to brew loose leaf tea with the correct tea-to-water ratio, steeping times, and brewing vessels for a richer and more flavorful tea experience. Read more...

The Art of Luxury Tea Service

Explore the art of luxury tea service, from handcrafted porcelain teaware and traditional brewing vessels to modern rituals that elevate everyday tea drinking. Read more...

How to Brew Tea with a Gaiwan (A Beginner's Guide)

Learn how to brew tea with a gaiwan, including the right grip, water temperature, steeping time, and brewing techniques for green tea, red tea, oolong, white tea, and yellow tea. Read more...

Glazara Elemental Gaiwan Ercai style brewing on tea tray

The Gaiwan Guide: History, Evolution, and Why We Choose the Ercai

Learn what a gaiwan is, how it evolved from the traditional Sancai form to the modern Ercai gaiwan, and why porcelain is ideal for Gongfu tea brewing. Read more...

Why a Matching Matcha Bowl & Matcha Latte Cup Elevates Your Daily Ritual

A matching matcha bowl and matcha latte cup do more than look beautiful — they create a seamless daily ritual. From whisking to sipping, discover why modern matcha lovers choose... Read more...