When pouring tea from a cha hai (gongdao bei) into a tea cup, the tea may sometimes drip down the outside of the vessel at the end of the pour. Rather than asserting that a specific technique will prevent dripping, we will outline points to verify for each individual piece of teaware.
What are cha hai and gongdao bei?
As explained by the Nanhai Maritime Silk Road Museum, the cha hai is introduced as a vessel used to collect tea brewed in a teapot or gaiwan before it is distributed into tea cups. "Gongdao bei" (fairness cup) is one of the names used in this context.
Avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to dripping
The shape of the spout, the rim of the vessel, the amount of tea inside, and the position where you are pouring differ for each piece of teaware. Therefore, it cannot be said that a fixed angle or wrist movement will prevent dripping. First, check if there are any instructions or precautions provided by the manufacturer of the vessel you are using, and handle the piece accordingly.
Things to check before pouring
- Are there any chips or cracks on the spout or rim of the vessel?
- Are there any usage instructions provided with the vessel?
- Can you comfortably check the placement of the tea cup and the movement at the end of the pour?
These checks do not guarantee any specific results. If you are concerned about the condition or handling of your teaware, it is important not to force its use and instead consult the retailer or manufacturer.
Regarding SEKIMONO's current tea tools
SEKIMONO does not currently carry cha hai or gongdao bei. If you would like to learn about the tea scoops (cha ze), lid rests (gai zhi), teapot stands (hu cheng), and tea trays (cha ban) currently available at SEKIMONO when selecting Chinese tea tools, please refer to The sequence for choosing your first Chinese tea set.
