How many tasting cups do I actually need?
For solo drinking, two — one to sip from, one to compare steeps side by side. For guests, six is the standard gongfu number. Eight if you host often.
Can I use these cups for coffee or spirits?
Physically yes, but coffee oils stain the inside and dull future tea sessions. Keep tasting cups for tea only — a separate small glass set for whisky or espresso is cheap insurance.
Why are tasting cups so small?
Gongfu brewing produces concentrated, short infusions. A 30ml pour is finished in two or three sips while still hot, which is when aromatics are most readable. Larger cups cool before you finish them.
Do glass cups change the taste compared to porcelain?
Glass is the most neutral surface available — it adds nothing. Porcelain is also neutral but slightly insulating; clay cups actively shape the tea. For tasting and learning, glass is the honest choice.
Will hot tea crack a glass cup?
Not if the cup is borosilicate and at room temperature. Avoid pouring boiling tea into a cup straight from the fridge or a cold windowsill — let it acclimatise first.
Which teas show best in glass cups?
Yellow tea, silver needle white, light *dāncōng* oolong, and aged *shēng pǔ* all reveal subtle colour shifts. Our [visual teas guide](https://tea.glass/guide/visual-teas) lists them in detail, and you can sample several through [tea.gratis](https://tea.gratis).
Where can I learn the full gongfu service that uses these cups?
The intermediate course at [tea.school](https://tea.school) covers cup placement, pouring order, and the etiquette of presenting liquor to guests. The encyclopedia at [thetea.app](https://thetea.app) has shorter reference entries.