Beginner's Tips
Hello Tea Friends!
It’s Mickey again! I’ve been on my tea journey for a little while now, and I thought it would be nice to share all the mistakes I’ve had as a beginner in the art of tea making. Of course, I’ll also tell you how I've since adjusted my tea-making practices. Read on to see how you can avoid my many foolish blunders.
Hot! Hot!!
The Problem – I have a bad habit of overfilling my gaiwan and cups, which inevitably leads to me burning my fingers. Every. Single. Time.
How to Avoid It – Pour less! If you’re constantly trying to squeeze out that last drop, trust me—your fingers will pay the price. Instead, leave a little space at the top to prevent spills (and burns!). If you’re worried about not having enough tea to go around, consider upgrading to a larger gaiwan or teapot to better accommodate your guests. That way, everyone can enjoy their tea without you losing your skin.
Oh, and when cleaning your teaware, tongs are your best friend! Holding cups with bare hands while rinsing? Rookie mistake—I’ve learned the hard way (and have the scars to prove it!).
Jungle in a Cup
The Problem – I thought I only used a little, but suddenly—boom—So many leaves!
How to Avoid It – This one takes practice. Dry tea leaves can be deceiving—they look so small, but they expand a lot once they hit the water. If you think you might be using too much, you probably are. A good trick is to check the recommended amount on the container or info card and start with a little less, especially if you prefer longer, repeated steeps. Some tea lovers even invest in tea scales to get the perfect measurement every time!
Oops! Forgot… Again.
The Problem – I have zero object permanence. Gaiwan lid goes on, tea stops existing.
How to Avoid It – Yeah… I haven’t totally mastered this one either. If your focus is on the tea itself, it’s easier to avoid over steeping since that’s your priority. But if you tend to get distracted by other things (same), consider switching to a cup or mug instead! A larger brewing vessel buys you a little more time, and using a tea ball or infuser basket means you can easily remove the leaves before things get too intense. Another trick? Use fewer leaves—less tea means less bitterness if you forget about it for a bit!
The Stains!
The Problem – I used to forget to clean my tea set quickly. Ew. Stains galore.
How to Fix It – This one’s all about building a habit. I’ve made cleaning up part of my tea session, not just an afterthought. The moment my friends and I have had our fill of tannins and talk, I get my kettle boiling and give everything a thorough clean.
For stains, baking soda is about to be your best friend! The support team already wrote a fantastic blog on teaware care (which I now follow religiously), with great tips on preventing and removing stains. Definitely check it out!
Of course, stains won't hurt your set! I'm just a bit of a neat freak.
Accidental Snacks
The Problem – Ever since writing the Steep Styles blog, I’ve been drinking my tea loose in the cup almost all the time. But not all teas play nice this way—let’s just say I’ve had a few unexpected mid-sip snacks.
How to Avoid It – First and foremost, use fewer leaves! If this keeps happening, a tea ball, filter, or infuser basket can help keep things under control. Loose-leaf purists will tell you to just wait patiently for the leaves to sink, but if you’re like me, you’ll probably end up skimming them off the top with a spoon… or just tilting your cup around, trying to find a clear spot, like gravity doesn’t exist. Every time, man.
Hot! Again!!
The Problem – Steeping all my teas at the same temperature? Yeah… that led to some seriously bitter green tea.
How to Avoid It – My game-changer? A temperature-controlled kettle! Of course, there are other ways to check your water temperature before brewing—like letting it cool for a bit after boiling or using a thermometer—but for me, a variable-temp kettle was the best investment. Now I can dial in the perfect heat for each tea, so no guesswork is needed.
And trust me, temperature matters. Follow the recommended brewing instructions—your tea will taste way better when steeped at the right temp!
This Isn’t a Race!
The Problem – I drank 12 steeps of tea and I still can’t taste anything but… tea. Where are the notes? The flavors? The nuances?
How to Solve It – Patience— lots of patience. This style of tea drinking isn’t like chugging a bottle of water and moving on with your day. It’s meant to be slow, intentional, and calming. When you take your time, you’ll start to notice the scents, the flavors, and all the little nuances that make each tea special.
In a world that never stops moving, letting yourself slow down with a cup of tea is a little act of self-care—and honestly, quite fulfilling. Give it a try, I promise it’s worth it!
A Little Too Aggressive...
The Problem – I got in a knife fight with my tea cake, and now it’s tea dust.
How to Avoid It – This is one I’m still trying to master! Some tea cakes break apart with no fuss, while others act like they were forged in a secret underground tea vault. Patience is key—rushing it will only leave you with a sad pile of dust.
A few tea cake tips to make your life easier:
Use a tea knife or pick—gently wiggle it into a seam or a looser edge instead of stabbing straight into the middle. Pry slowly to lift layers instead of crushing the leaves.
If your tea cake is particularly stubborn, try loosening it up with your fingers after the initial break. Some teas, like Shou Pu-er, tend to be more compact, so extra care is needed.
Work in small sections rather than trying to pry off a huge chunk all at once. This helps preserve the leaf structure and keeps your tea from turning to dust.
And if all else fails? Steam method. A quick hit of steam can soften a really dense cake, making it easier to break apart.
Tea cakes can be a bit of a challenge at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s super satisfying!
There you have it! My shameful list of failures. That being said, learning is part of the journey! There will be many, many more. I’m sure you all have had your own fun experiences along the way, and I’d love to hear them! I’m always lurking the Jesse’s Teahouse Discord, so feel free to join us there and tell us your stories.
New to Gongfu Tea? I got my start with Gongfu Tea 101 on the Jesse’s Teahouse YouTube channel. Give it a watch!
Until next time, Tea Friends!
Happy steeping.
-Mickey
