Using Gaiwan Without Burning Your Hands-Step By Step Guide

Och! The searing sensation shoots through your hand? Meanwhile, your eyes widen in shock.

This is a hurdle that all beginners in Gaiwan must go through. Many people give up this tea-drinking method because they have scalded their hands using Gaiwan. What a pity! But if you follow our steps, you will avoid burning your hands.

1. Common mistakes when using Gaiwan

Why do people always get scalded when using Gaiwan? The reason is that people find it difficult to balance pouring tea and preventing scalding. We know that the rim of Gaiwan’s cup is curved outward and thinner. This part generally does not come into contact with tea (unless the tea is full), so the temperature of this part is low.

When you tightly grip this part instead of the cup body, you are less likely to be scalded, but the cost is that this operation is inconvenient. Many people place their fingers in contact with the cup body but not the rim, which can easily cause burns.

2. Three Finger Method

There is a “top knob” on the top of Gaiwan’s lid, which is not only the place to pinch when opening the lid, but also the place to press when the lid is closed. Three fingers pinching Gaiwan, index finger press the top knob, thumb and middle finger holding bowl rim. The three-finger skill is elegant and is the standard way to hold Gaiwan. Many women use this method.

When pouring tea, you should open the lid to the appropriate size, place your index finger on the top knob, grab the sides of the bowl with your thumb and middle finger, and turn Gaiwan vertically to pour out the tea. You can follow the image below.

3. Bowl grabbing method

This method is more suitable for people with large hands, so men more commonly use it. The key is to adjust the size of the lid opening, press the top knob with your thumb, and press the other fingers against the foot at the bottom of the Gaiwan. Hold onto the Gaiwan with one palm, hold the Gaiwan vertically and pour out the tea.

4. Pour out excess tea

One important reason you get scalding is that the tea is too full. You should not pour too much water when using Gaiwan to brew tea. If there is too much water, it will be too hot to handle

5. Traditional methods

Suppose you don’t mind eating a little tea leaves while drinking tea. You can give this method a try. Pick up the tea tray with your left hand and the tea lid with your right hand, and skim away the floating tea leaves.

Then, tilt the tea cup and bring it to your mouth. Drink the tea in small sips to prevent scalding. You can see how people used Gaiwan to drink tea in ancient times.

6. Be patient and practice more

Don’t rush the process. Allow the Gaiwan to cool down slightly before handling it. Remember, patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to enjoying your tea without any mishaps.

Practice is also essential. After many times of practice, you can better grasp the strength of holding the cup, speed can be faster, and the skill can be more accurate.

7. Replace it?

If you have tried many times and still find yourself frequently scalded. You can consider changing to a new set. Pay attention to choosing a cup of appropriate size, with a larger curvature of the cup’s rim and a thicker bottom foot. Our tenmoku tea sets may meet your requirements.

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How To Use Gaiwan Without Burning Your Hands