Some tea lovers have asked if they need a gongdaobei when enjoying tea alone. Gongdaobei are also known as "Fairness Cups", "Share Cups" or just "pitchers"!
Here's why you might or might not use one:
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Evening Out the Flavor: When you brew tea, the first pour can be lighter in taste than the last. Using a fairness cup helps make sure every cup you pour has the same rich flavor.
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Storing Your Tea: A fairness cup can hold your tea, so it doesn’t get too bitter or astringent from sitting too long. If you have a small gaiwan that lets you pour all the tea out at once, you might not need a fairness cup.
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Cooling It Down: Freshly brewed tea can be quite hot, and no one wants to burn their tongue! Pouring the tea into a fairness cup first helps bring the temperature down to a comfy level, so you can enjoy your tea without any worries.
So, do you need a fairness cup when drinking tea? Now you know!