Cha Hai (Fairness Cup)
What is a Gongdao Cup?
The Gongdao cup, also known as a fairness cup (公道杯) or Cha Hai (茶海), is an essential vessel in traditional Chinese tea brewing. Serving as an intermediary between the teapot and individual cups, this versatile glass container plays a crucial role in the tea ceremony process.
With its elegant design and practical functionality, the Gongdao cup embodies the harmony between beauty and purpose that characterises Chinese tea culture.
The Purpose of a Fairness Cup
Equal Brewing for All
The name "fairness cup" (Gongdao cup) carries significant meaning in Chinese tea culture. "Gong" (公) means "fair" or "equal," while "dao" (道) means "way" or "principle." Together, they express the cup's primary purpose: ensuring fairness in tea serving.
When brewing tea using traditional methods, especially in Gongfu style, multiple infusions are prepared in quick succession. Without a fairness cup, the first cups poured would be stronger than the last, creating an uneven experience. By first pouring all the brewed tea into the fairness cup, then distributing it evenly among guests, everyone receives tea of identical strength and flavour—a beautiful expression of equality and respect at the tea table.
Key Functions
The Gongdao cup serves several important purposes:
- Even distribution - Ensures everyone receives tea of identical strength
- Temperature moderation - Allows tea to cool slightly to the ideal drinking temperature
- Aroma appreciation - Provides space for the tea's fragrance to develop fully
- Brewing control - Stops the steeping process at precisely the right moment
Our Glass Gongdao Cup Collection
Our collection features premium glass Gongdao cups in various designs and capacities, each offering excellent clarity to showcase your tea's beautiful colour and transparency.
Capacity Considerations
When selecting your Gongdao cup, note that the capacity listed (150ml- 240ml) indicates the maximum volume. For practical use:
For cups with handles (like our Jade Handle model), you can fill closer to maximum capacity as the handle provides safe handling.
For handleless designs: It's best to fill to about 70-80% of maximum capacity, leaving space at the top to prevent hot tea from burning your fingers when holding the cup.
Features of Our Collection
All Gongdao cups in our collection have been thoroughly tested to ensure excellent "water cutting" ability—a term referring to clean, drip-free pouring. This essential quality prevents messy spills and ensures precise control when serving.
How to Use a Gongdao Cup
Using a Gongdao cup is straightforward but adds significant refinement to your tea brewing:
- Brew tea in your teapot or gaiwan until the desired strength is reached
- Pour the brewed tea completely into your Gongdao cup
- From the Gongdao cup, distribute tea evenly into individual drinking cups
- Enjoy the consistent flavour across all servings
For multiple infusions, simply repeat this process, allowing the Gongdao cup to serve as your brewing guide and fairness keeper throughout your tea session.
Caring for Your Glass Gongdao Cup
To maintain your glass Gongdao cup's functionality and appearance:
- Clean with plain water after each use
- Avoid abrasive cleaning tools that might scratch the glass surface
- Dry thoroughly to prevent water spots
- Store in a safe place to prevent chips or cracks
A quality glass Gongdao cup brings both practical benefits and visual pleasure to each brewing session, allowing you to appreciate not only the taste but also the beautiful colour of your tea.
Whether you're new to traditional tea preparation or looking to enhance your established tea ritual, a well-chosen Gongdao cup will elevate your brewing experience and honour the spirit of equality that makes sharing tea so meaningful.