In the traditional Gongfu tea ceremony, the Gong Dao Bei (literally "Pitcher of Fairness" or "Justice Cup") is used to ensure an even taste and color of the tea liquor for all participants. It embodies a spirit of fairness and equality, allowing everyone sharing the tea to enjoy a brew of consistent strength.
Historically, during Chaozhou Gongfu tea preparation, tea masters would perform "Guan Gong Xun Cheng" (关公巡城 – Guan Gong Patrolling the City), a meticulous method of repeatedly pouring small amounts of tea into each cup in a circuit to ensure uniformity. The Gong Dao Bei elegantly streamlines this process, eliminating the need for this intricate pouring technique.
Furthermore, for solo tea drinkers, using a Gong Dao Bei ensures that all the tea liquor is poured out from the teapot at once, preventing the issue of tea leaves steeping too long in the teapot if the individual tea cup is not large enough.
This particular glass Gong Dao Bei is beautifully designed in the shape of an ancient money bag, signifying fullness and prosperity. Its smooth, rounded form is complemented by its transparent glass material, which offers a clear and convenient view of the tea liquor's color as it's poured.
| Origin | Dehua, Fujian, China |
| Material | Glass |
| Capacity | 6.8 fl oz (200 ml) |
| Dimensions |
3.9L x 3.1W x 3.1H in (10L x 8W x 8H cm)
|
| Weight | 2.6 oz (75 g) |
| Suggested Teas | All Teas |
| Dishwasher Safe | N |
| Microwave Safe | N |
How to Use
Before pouring the tea liquor from the teapot into the Gong Dao Bei, first place a tea strainer (tea filter) on top of the pitcher to filter out any tea leaves. Once filtered, pour all the tea liquor from the teapot into the Gong Dao Bei in one go. Then, distribute the tea evenly from the Gong Dao Bei into individual tea cups.
Pairing Recommendation
This Gong Dao Bei can be perfectly paired with a tea strainer.
