Do I really need a fairness pitcher for gongfu brewing?
For sessions longer than two infusions, yes. Without one, the first cup poured will be weaker than the last by a noticeable margin, especially with fast-brewing oolong and pu-erh.
Can I use the same pitcher for green, oolong, and pu-erh?
Yes — glass is inert and holds no flavour memory. This is one reason visual brewers prefer it to porcelain or clay for the decanter, even when their pots are clay.
Why is the rim hot if there is no handle?
The upper 1.5cm of a handle-less *gōng dào bēi* stays cool because the liquor sits below it and glass conducts heat slowly. Grip by the top rim, not the belly.
How do I remove tea staining from inside the glass?
A paste of baking soda and warm water, left for ten minutes, lifts most film. Rinse thoroughly. Avoid scouring pads, which leave permanent micro-scratches.
Is a strainer built into the spout necessary?
Only if you brew without a strainer in the pot itself. Most gongfu brewers use a separate small strainer set on the pitcher mouth, which gives finer control than a built-in version.
What size pitcher pairs with a standard gaiwan?
A 110-120ml gaiwan pairs well with a 180-220ml pitcher. The full gaiwan volume plus leaf displacement and a little headroom comes to roughly 150ml of liquor per infusion.
Can I learn proper decanting technique online?
The gongfu fundamentals course on tea.school covers fairness pitcher handling in module three, including the wrist motion that prevents drips and the pause that settles foam.