Gongfu tea

Gongfu tea

　　    People in Guangzhou enjoy drinking "Gongfu tea" in their leisure time. Originally popular in the Chaoshan region, Gongfu tea has now become widespread in Guangzhou. Gongfu tea places great emphasis on tea sets, tea leaves, water quality, brewing, pouring, and drinking. The Gongfu tea pot is very small, about the size of a fist, made of thin-bodied porcelain, allowing the tea leaves inside to be faintly visible. The cups are only about half the size of a ping-pong ball. Oolong tea is typically used. When placing the tea leaves, the pot is filled to the brim and pressed down firmly with the fingers. It is said that the firmer the leaves are packed, the richer and more aromatic the tea becomes. The best water is either settled or mineral water. When brewing, boiling water should be poured into the pot immediately, and the first one or two infusions are poured out. When pouring the tea, it should be continuously and evenly distributed to avoid uneven strength, with the first part strong and the latter weak. While drinking, people chat and relax — this process is called "Gongfu" (skill/effort).