What is "one pot, three cups" in Chaozhou Gongfu tea? Reading an introduction to regional tea arts.

2026.08.15

In texts introducing Chaozhou Gongfu tea, you may come across expressions such as "one pot, three cups" or the practice of arranging three cups in the shape of the character "pin" (品). These are terms used in introductions to tea arts associated with Chaozhou. However, tea culture varies by region depending on the setting and the method of instruction, so the way of arranging three cups cannot be taken as a universal rule for all tea services.

The context of "one pot, three cups"

In a public event introducing Chaozhou Gongfu tea presented by the Futian District Government, "one pot, three cups" is cited as part of the "three steps and seven methods" for preparing tea to concisely convey tradition. The same introduction also covers the expression of placing three cups in a "pin" formation, as well as terms like "Guan Gong patrolling the city" and "Han Xin deploying troops."

What is important here is that this is the context of tea art as it appeared in one specific public presentation. Depending on the number of guests, the type of vessels, the location where the tea is brewed, and the school of practice, the actual setup will change. It does not mean that there must be three cups, or that the same techniques must always be performed.

Don't mistake the arrangement for the "correct answer"

The Futian District Government's introduction shows an example where three cups are arranged in the shape of the character "pin." This is an example from a single public tea art demonstration; one cannot derive results such as water temperature, pouring volume, spill resistance, or the uniformity of the tea's flavor from this. Knowing the names and arrangements is different from reproducing specific procedures.

Examine the roles of the tools separately

Regarding the vessel used to temporarily hold brewed tea before distributing it into cups, you can clarify the terminology in The Role of the Chahai/Gongdaobei. For the tea tray as a surface for placing tea utensils, please refer to What is a Chaban? When reading introductions to Chaozhou Gongfu tea, it is helpful to view the names and roles of the tools separately, rather than treating them as a single fixed set.

Read as a regional introduction

In official Chinese intangible cultural heritage documents, Chaozhou Gongfu tea art is listed as a national-level representative project as a brewing technique for tea leaves passed down in the Chaoshan region of Guangdong Province. The same documents also feature the terms "Guan Gong patrolling the city" and "Han Xin deploying troops." There are also local standards in Chaozhou that cover the technical procedures of Gongfu tea art. "One pot, three cups" is a term that serves as an entry point to learning about the tea art of that region.