Fanquare Peony Gaiwan Chinese Tea Bowl

This is a common concern with gaiwans, and this fanquare model actually handles it better than many. The porcelain is thick enough to prevent excessive heat transfer — multiple reviewers specifically mention the good thickness keeps it comfortable to hold. The flared rim is designed to prevent hot water from running down to your fingers during pouring. That said, one reviewer notes it still takes some practice to pour without burning your hand, which is true of any gaiwan. The learning curve is real, but this one is more forgiving than ultra-thin porcelain versions.

The main things to consider are size, material, and how it feels in your hand. This fanquare gaiwan is on the larger side at around 180-225ml (there's some listing confusion about exact capacity), which makes it better for sharing tea or for people who want a fuller serving. The porcelain is non-porous, so it won't absorb flavors between different teas — that's a real advantage if you like switching between green tea, oolong, and other varieties. One honest consideration: if you have smaller hands, reviewers say this one can feel a bit heavy and awkward. If that's a concern, you might want something in the 100-150ml range instead.

A gaiwan gives you much more control over your brew. You can see the leaves unfurl, adjust steep times precisely, and pour off quickly to prevent over-steeping. This fanquare gaiwan specifically has the advantage of being easy to clean compared to metal alternatives — the non-porous porcelain interior keeps tea flavors pure and doesn't retain residue. Reviewers confirm it preserves the true character of whatever tea you're brewing. Plus, a gaiwan lets you do multiple short steeps from the same leaves, which reveals how the flavor evolves — something a standard teapot with a long steep just can't do.

Most reviewers are happy with the lid — it has a smooth rim with what's described as a good fit. However, at least one reviewer noted the lid doesn't seat perfectly and can slide to the side. This seems to be a quality control variation rather than a consistent design flaw, since other reviewers specifically praise the lid's precise fit. For gongfu brewing, the lid fit matters because you need it to stay in place while you pour at an angle. Most buyers report no issues, but it's worth checking when yours arrives.

The listing says 7.44oz, though reviewers note some capacity confusion with multiple sizes mentioned (6oz, 6.3oz, 180ml, 200ml). In practice, it's in the 180-225ml range, which is on the larger side for a gaiwan. For gongfu-style brewing where you do multiple short steeps, this gives you a generous single serving per steep — or enough to share across two small cups. If you're brewing just for yourself and prefer smaller, more concentrated steeps, this might feel a bit large. But for casual single-serving use or sharing, the size works well.

Yes, and that's one of its practical advantages. The non-porous porcelain interior means tea oils and residue don't soak in the way they can with unglazed clay teapots. Reviewers specifically mention it's easy to clean compared to metal alternatives. A quick rinse with hot water after each session is usually enough, and you can occasionally use a mild soap without worrying about affecting future brews. This also means you can freely switch between tea types — green tea one day, oolong the next — without flavor carryover.

Definitely — and quite a few buyers do exactly that. The blue and white peony porcelain design is by far the most praised feature, with at least 10 reviewers calling out the beautiful pattern specifically. Some buyers have even repurposed it creatively as a pencil holder, coffee mug coaster, or office supply holder on their desk. The three-piece set (cup, lid, and saucer) looks elegant on display, so it works well as both a functional tea vessel and a home décor piece. It also makes a solid gift for that reason.

It makes a genuinely good gift, especially for someone interested in tea culture. The blue and white peony design is universally praised as beautiful, and the three-piece set with saucer looks impressive out of the box. It works whether the recipient is a tea enthusiast who'll use it for gongfu brewing or someone who appreciates it purely as a decorative piece. The affordable price point also means you can gift it without a huge investment. Just keep in mind it's best for adults — it's not ideal for children due to the hot water handling involved.

Yes — it's well-suited for traditional Chinese gongfu tea ceremonies. The three-piece design (cup, saucer, and lid) is the classic ceremony format, and the traditional blue and white porcelain pattern gives it an authentic feel. The saucer has an indentation that holds the cup securely and provides space to rest the lid between steepings, which keeps the ceremony flowing smoothly. For formal tea ceremonies you might eventually want a higher-end piece, but for home ceremonies, tea tastings, and learning the ritual, this is a solid and beautiful option.

You can absolutely drink straight from a gaiwan — it's one of the traditional methods. Hold the saucer in one hand, use your other hand to tilt the lid slightly so it holds back the leaves, and sip from the gap. The lid acts as a built-in strainer. This fanquare gaiwan's smooth lid rim and good fit make this easier since the lid stays in position while you drink. Just keep in mind that at 7.44oz, this is a bit large for direct sipping compared to smaller gaiwans, so it'll hold more tea than a typical single sip.

Traditional gaiwan etiquette involves holding it by the saucer with one hand and using the lid to gently push back the tea leaves while sipping or pouring. When serving others, you'd hold the saucer and tilt the lid slightly to strain the leaves as you pour into cups. With this fanquare gaiwan, the saucer's indentation keeps the cup stable during the ceremony, and the lid's smooth rim fits snugly enough to control the pour. One thing to note: reviewers mention this gaiwan is a bit heavier than some, so you may want to practice the one-handed hold a few times with cool water before using it with hot tea.

Start by warming the gaiwan — pour hot water in, swirl it around, and discard it. Then add your tea leaves (about 5-7 grams for this 7.44oz size), pour hot water over them, and place the lid on slightly ajar. For your first steep, pour off quickly (5-10 seconds) as a rinse. On subsequent steeps, hold the saucer, tilt the lid to create a small gap that holds back the leaves, and pour into your cup or pitcher. The flared rim on this fanquare gaiwan helps prevent hot water from running down to your fingers. Just be aware it takes a little practice — one reviewer noted you'll want to get comfortable with the pouring motion before using boiling water.

Green tea is one of the best uses for this gaiwan. Use water around 170-180°F (not boiling — that'll scorch green tea). Add about 4-5 grams of leaves, pour the water gently, and steep for just 15-30 seconds on the first infusion. You can gradually increase steep times on subsequent rounds. The non-porous porcelain in this fanquare gaiwan is ideal for green tea because it doesn't absorb or muddy the delicate flavors. The larger capacity also works well here since green tea is naturally lighter and you might want a fuller serving.

Oolong is a natural fit for gongfu-style gaiwan brewing. Use water just off the boil (around 195-205°F), add about 5-7 grams of oolong to this fanquare gaiwan, and do a quick rinse steep — pour water in and immediately pour it out to wake up the leaves. Then start your first real steep at about 20-30 seconds, adding 5-10 seconds each round. A good oolong will give you 5-8 steeps, each with shifting flavor notes. The non-porous porcelain here keeps each steep clean without carrying over residual flavors from previous sessions.

For Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess oolong) in this gaiwan, start with a quick rinse steep, then brew the first infusion for about 20-25 seconds with near-boiling water. Increase by about 5-10 seconds per subsequent steep. The beauty of using a gaiwan like this one is that you can easily control those short steep times — just tilt the lid and pour. Tie Guan Yin typically gives you 6-8 good steeps, starting with floral and creamy notes that gradually shift to a sweeter, more toasty character. The porcelain won't interfere with those delicate flavor transitions.