Gongfu Tea Sachets
Experience Gongfu Tea like never before. Our premium tea sachets contain carefully portioned, whole-leaf tea—combining the convenience of a tea bag with the precision of Gongfu brewing.
Experience Gongfu Tea like never before. Our premium tea sachets contain carefully portioned, whole-leaf tea—combining the convenience of a tea bag with the precision of Gongfu brewing.
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Gongfu tea, also known as Kung Fu tea, is not a type of tea, but a refined and meticulous art of brewing. Originating in Chaozhou, it is widely practiced in Guangdong, Fujian, and Taiwan.
This method emphasizes precise control over the tea leaves, utensils, water, and heat, following a structured sequence to fully extract the tea’s flavor.
This technique is deeply rooted in China’s millennia-old tea tradition and gradually developed and matured during the Ming and Qing dynasties (around the 16th century onward), alongside the growing popularity of loose-leaf tea.
The term gongfu (kung fu) here means dedication and focused skill. It represents not just technical mastery, but an artistic pursuit of continuous refinement and perfection.
Gongfu tea has humble beginnings in the workshops of artisans, born from the basic need of laborers to quench thirst and regain energy during intense work. Blacksmiths, for instance, would often place a shádiao (a sand-clay kettle) by the forge to boil water. The setup was simple: a gaiwan or small teapot, accompanied by just three tiny cups. Workers took turns brewing during breaks, sharing the tea among themselves.
This was more than a way to rest; it became a valued social ritual and a subtle competition. Whose tea tasted best, whose pour was steadiest—these were judged by peers, with “tastes good” being the plainest and truest praise. This blend of practicality, community, and friendly rivalry is woven into the very spirit of Gongfu tea.
As commerce and culture flowed, this vibrant folk practice entered the studies and salons of scholars. There, it blended with the literati’s ideals of “refinement, elegance, harmony, and respect,” gradually evolving into the complete Gongfu tea tradition we know today.
Gongfu Tea Sachets are a distinctive form of Chinese tea packaging that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern convenience. They contain carefully portioned, high-quality whole-leaf tea. In the precise art of Gongfu tea brewing, measuring the exact amount of tea is crucial. Each sachet is designed for a complete brewing session, offering multiple infusions that allow the tea’s rich aroma, complex flavors, and unique character to unfold fully.
It was this very need for accuracy that led to the creation of Gongfu Tea Sachets. Decades ago, tea drinkers began portioning loose-leaf tea suitable for a single Gongfu tea session into small, folded paper packets. This method guaranteed consistency in brewing and made the tea portable. Over time, this evolved into the distinctive small-sachet format we recognize today.
It is important to emphasize: Gongfu Tea Sachets are not traditional tea bags.
When naming this series, the Chinese Tea Group weighed both cultural and linguistic considerations carefully. The name had to:
• Accurately convey the philosophy of Gongfu tea brewing.
• Clearly distinguish the product from the generic “tea bag” on the international market.
Internationally, “tea bag” or “bagged tea” typically refers to a product designed for quick, single-use steeping, often containing broken leaves or fannings. In Chinese tea culture, however, this individually portioned, whole-leaf format is reserved for high-grade teas and precision brewing.
We chose Gongfu Tea Sachets to define a packaging format that:
• Meets the standard for a single-round Gongfu tea session.
• Contains individually portioned whole loose-leaf tea.
To our knowledge, no other brand in the international market systematically uses the term “Gongfu Tea Sachets.” The Chinese Tea Group is proud to pioneer this naming, aiming to help tea lovers worldwide appreciate the culture of precision and ritual at the heart of Gongfu tea.
(Note: This collection features only sachets containing whole-leaf tea. Other Chinese tea bag formats are not included here.)
Gongfu Tea (Gong Fu Cha) brewing is most commonly associated with semi-oxidized oolong teas, among which the most renowned include:
• Phoenix Dancong (Chaozhou, Guangdong)
• Tieguanyin (Anxi, Fujian)
• Wuyi Rock Teas (such as Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, Shui Xian – Wuyi Mountains, Fujian)
The tea-growing regions and the Gongfu Tea brewing technique complement each other: the unique characteristics of these teas gave rise to the Gongfu brewing method, while the refined brewing technique unlocks their fullest flavor.
The Gongfu Tea brewing process for these oolong teas emphasizes three guiding principles:
1.Striving for Perfection: Requiring strict control over water quality, water temperature (usually boiling at 100°C), and infusion time to ensure the optimal extraction.
2.Equal Sharing: Using techniques such as “Guan Gong Patrolling the City” and “Han Xin Deploying Troops” to ensure that each cup is consistent in flavor.
3.Calm Focus: Maintaining a peaceful mind and smooth, deliberate movements, creating a form of dynamic meditation.
While oolong teas are most commonly used, the philosophy of Gongfu Tea is universally applicable and can elevate the brewing experience of black, green, white, pu-erh, and other types of Chinese tea. The three core principles—striving for perfection, equal sharing, and calm focus—apply to all teas, though water temperature, tea quantity, and steeping time must be adjusted to fully express each tea’s unique character.
This principle inspired the Gongfu Tea Sachets series. Each sachet is filled with high-quality whole-leaf tea and precisely indicates the amount required for a single brew, eliminating the guesswork and allowing tea enthusiasts to focus on exploring flavor nuances.
To ensure an authentic experience, the Chinese Tea Group provides an instructional brewing video for every Gongfu Tea Sachet. Filmed at the Group’s tea houses by professional tea masters, this video clearly demonstrates the full process—from warming the vessels and pouring water to controlling infusion time. When you purchase a Gongfu Tea Sachet, you're not just preparing tea; you're executing a reproducible, professional-grade brewing protocol sourced directly from the tradition itself.
Brewing traditional Gongfu Tea centers on specialized utensils. The teapot or gaiwan is small—typically around 150 ml—to allow for precise control. The tasting cups are tiny, holding just a sip (about 30 ml), designed to help you savor the tea and notice subtle changes in temperature. Through short, repeated infusions, this method fully releases the tea’s aroma and flavor: from the fresh, lively notes of the first pour, to the rich, mellow layers in the middle, and finally to the sweet, lingering finish—a complete and nuanced tasting journey.
While Gongfu Tea is an art that values utensils, technique, and timing, it is not reserved for experts. Gongfu Tea Sachets simplify the tradition: each sachet contains a pre-portioned serving of high-quality loose-leaf tea, individually sealed. There’s no need for measuring or guesswork, so even beginners can easily enjoy the multi-infusion experience.
Adaptable to modern life, Gongfu Tea Sachets work perfectly with both traditional teaware and larger pots (such as Western-style teapots), a common practice even in China. The precise tea quantity in each sachet lets you adjust water volume and steeping time to suit your taste. We encourage you to explore traditional teaware, but remember—the essence of Gongfu Tea lies in mindful attention, not the size of the tools.
Explore the full Gongfu Tea Sachets