Bamboo tea tray with a green ceramic teapot set, four matching teacups, and multiple double-walled glass cups arranged neatly for tea service.

How to Brew Green Tea: Three Traditional Methods Explained

Written by: Camille Liu

April 1, 2025

Time to read 3 min

Introduction

Green tea is delicate, aromatic, and loved for its fresh taste and health benefits. But brewing green tea the right way takes more than just pouring hot water—it requires the right tools and technique to fully express its natural character.

In this article, we’ll explore three of the most traditional and widely used methods for brewing green tea: teapot brewing, gaiwan brewing, and glass cup brewing.

1. Teapot Brewing Method For Green Tea

This is a classic and versatile method commonly used for everyday green tea.

🫖 Step-by-Step Instructions:

(1) Clean the Teaware
Prepare your teapot, tea cups, and other tools. Pour boiling water into the teapot, swirl it gently, then pour the water into each tea cup. Swirl the water in the cups and discard. This process warms the teaware and ensures cleanliness.

(2) Add Green Tea to the Pot
The amount of tea depends on the size of your teapot. As a general rule, use 1 gram of tea for every 50–60 ml of water.

(3) Pour the Water
Start by pouring hot water into the teapot in a counterclockwise circular motion, just enough to cover the leaves. Then switch to a straight pour until the pot is full. Shake the kettle gently with your wrist in a “three up, three down” rhythm to agitate the pour and enhance the aroma.

Use the teapot lid to gently skim off any foam floating at the top. Steep for around 3 minutes, then pour the tea into cups and enjoy.

Hot water being poured into a traditional porcelain gaiwan filled with fresh green tea leaves, with steam rising and teacups nearby.

Hot water being gently poured into a celadon gaiwan containing green tea leaves, capturing the traditional brewing process.

2. Gaiwan Brewing Method

Gaiwan brewing is elegant and precise, making it ideal for appreciating the subtleties of premium green tea.

🍵 Step-by-Step Instructions:

(1) Prepare and Clean the Gaiwan
Line up the gaiwans according to how many servings you’re making. Tilt the lids and rest them on the right side of the saucer. Pour a small amount of hot water into each gaiwan, cover with the lid, and swirl gently in a circular motion three times. Pour out the water through the gap between lid and bowl to clean and warm the vessels.

(2) Add Dry Tea Leaves
Place about 2 grams of green tea into each gaiwan.

(3) Pour the Water Carefully
Avoid pouring water directly onto the tea leaves. Instead, pour slowly along the inner wall of the gaiwan to protect the fragile leaves. Fill the gaiwan to 70–80% full.

(4) Cover with a Slight Tilt
Place the lid on at a slight angle, leaving a small gap to prevent the steam from overcooking the leaves and turning them yellow.

Clear stream of hot water being poured into a porcelain gaiwan with steeping green tea leaves, set on a carved wooden tea tray.

Steaming celadon teapot with golden-rimmed handle and lid, resting on a wooden surface in a calm, rustic tea setting.

3. Glass Cup Brewing Method

This is the most visually rewarding method, ideal for enjoying tender, high-grade green tea like Longjing or Biluochun. The transparency of the cup allows you to watch the tea unfurl beautifully.

🧊 Step-by-Step Instructions:

(1) Clean and Warm the Glass
Use a clear, unpatterned glass cup. Pour hot water into each cup, swirl gently, and discard the water. This preheats the cup and reduces the risk of cracking when you add tea.

(2) Add the Tea
Because green tea leaves are delicate and prone to breaking, gently pour or slide them into the cup. Avoid scooping harshly.

(3) Pour the Water with Control
Once the water cools slightly (to around 75–85°C / 167–185°F, depending on the tenderness of the tea), begin pouring.

Use your wrist to control the kettle in a gentle "three up, three down" motion as you pour, letting the stream hit the inner wall of the cup instead of directly on the leaves. Fill the cup to about 70% full and keep the steeping time under 15 seconds to preserve the tea's freshness.

Steaming ceramic teapot placed on a wooden tea tray, bathed in natural light during a serene tea session.

Glass teapot and six matching tea cups filled with green tea, neatly arranged on a bamboo tea tray in a bright, peaceful tea room.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Glass Cup Brewing is ideal for premium, tender green teas with beautiful leaf shapes, such as Dragon Well (Longjing). The clarity of the glass shows off the color, shape, and dance of the leaves.
For mid- or low-grade green teas, it's better to use a ceramic teapot or clay pot. These teas often have less visual appeal and may reveal flaws in clear glass.
The more delicate the tea, the lower the water temperature required. For especially tender green teas, you can brew at as low as 75°C (167°F).

Glass teapot with steeping green tea leaves and six clear teacups on a bamboo tray, alongside a white porcelain teapot on a bamboo mat surface.

Final Thoughts

Brewing green tea is both a science and an art. With the right teaware and technique, even simple leaves can produce an extraordinary cup. Whether you're using a teapot for a gathering, a gaiwan for the ceremony, or a glass cup for solo enjoyment, each method offers a unique way to connect with the essence of tea.

At Red Rock Tea House, we honor these traditions with a hand-picked selection of authentic Chinese green teas. Discover your favorite brewing style and let the ritual of tea bring calm and clarity to your day.