In a Chinese tea service, an electric kettle is not merely a water heater; it is the most critical infrastructure that determines the precision of extraction and the rhythm of one's movements. We have compiled a set of selection criteria for electric kettles that allow you to freely control water temperature—from the 100°C boiling water required for oolong tea to the 85°C needed for green or white teas.
1. The 3 Essential Specifications
- 1°C Incremental Temperature Control: The ability to specify the exact temperature suited to the tea type with a single touch, such as 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, or 100°C.
- Gooseneck Spout: A spout shape that allows for complete control over the water stream with just a tilt of the wrist, ranging from a thin, gentle flow to a forceful, thick stream.
- Re-boil and Keep-warm Functions: Since a Gongfu tea session can last for tens of minutes, a warming function capable of maintaining the set temperature for over an hour is indispensable.
2. How to Choose Capacity: 0.6L–0.8L is Best
Large kettles with a capacity of 1L or more become too heavy when full, making delicate, one-handed pour control difficult. For Gongfu tea sessions of one to three people, a lightweight and easy-to-handle model with a capacity of around 0.6–0.8L is optimal.
