Gongfu Tea 101: Teaism Ep. 1 

A Chinese girl living in Houston, seeing a white guy making tea is such an experience, you made me start to grow interest in our own tea ritual which I grew up with. I have to say, even the way you talk and make tea is such a Chinese dad thing. I am from Guangdong province, since I was a baby, I saw my parents and my families sat in front of tea sets while watching TV, they could make and drink tea all day long. All our social gatherings happen around the tea table. My dad is so obsessed with tea that we renovated a whole room as a tea studio which became his man cave. He smokes cigarettes and drink tea and be on his phone every day in the tea studio. I never really cared about it growing up, I am more of a coffee drinker now, I buy fresh beans and grind my coffee beans. Now I would like to learn more about tea because I think my dad will be really happy about it, snd I can make more connection with him as he can teach me what tea to buy and how to brew it.

“You are a guest at your own tea session” is the self-care advice I didn’t realize I needed today ❤️

Thanks to you I got into gongfu brewing, I'm really happy to see more longform content on your channel :D

"tea pets are like enjoying life, its optional" I JUST ABOUT CHOCKED

Thank you for promoting gongfu tea to people outside China. Watching your video reminded me of my late grandfather’s daily tea practice; his tea table was a literal coffee table-size contraption with built-in heating element and a miniature mountain as a water feature/drainage. It was very spectacular when operated. His tea equipment was simpler though, usually just a kettle, a lidded cup and a set of four tiny serving cups, which were about half the size as yours. Tea was pour directly into the tiny serving cups after brewing. This is a common gongfu tea setup for the Min-speaking people in the region on the southeast coast, where many modern gongfu tea-making etiquette was originated. I have only seen pitcher being used when the tea was to be cooled to serve to children. Yes, everybody, even young children drinks tea on a daily basis there. When you visit ANY shop on the main street, not just the tea merchants, the shopkeepers always have a tea set spread out, ready to entertain. They would readily invite customers for a quick tea shot and some casual bonding. It’s a very fond childhood nostalgia of mine. Thank you again!

I never really understood the appeal of tea (as an American, coffee is the dominant drink) until one day….i was looking through a tea box at my parents house, found a lapsang souchong bag that I brewed. MAN my eyes were opened…it hits all the same spots for me as a complex, smoky and aged scotch or whiskey. I’m only just getting started, but it’s such a nice thing to enjoy when I get home from work. That was just a basic teabag, but I can only imagine how a proper tea service of that would taste

"It's the whole internet, they want to hear about the tea pets now." LOL. Absolutely. And please do that video on what to look for in loose leaf tea, too! Thanks, Jesse.

I'd be really interested to see a deep dive series on the different types of tea and how they are processed and how they vary in flavor profile from one another. I know you've done some shorts on the subject, but a long-form version would be really cool!

I got a set from your website this week, and my Fiancée and I are hooked. We both work two jobs at the moment and it has quickly become one of the only (and best) ways to spend quality time together and de-stress! Nothing quite like good company and good tea! Thanks for all you do!

this is exactly what I was looking for! educational but not overwhelming. edit: Woo! my sampler pack just arrived!

Hey Jesse, I want to thank you for introducing me to gongfu tea. You helped kinda demystify the idea I had in my head of Chinese tea preparation as an almost religious ceremony and understand that actually, it is something I can do in my home that is thousands of km away from China with some of the teas I can get my hands on here. It's not overly complicated, pointless and something that you need to learn for decades to do "right": there's degrees and it's possible to adapt to my own specific circumstances. And I know it might sound crazy, but when I prepare tea the Gongfu way, it truly tastes better to me, and because of the multiple steeps, I get all the flavor I can get from it before I throw it away, so it even saves me some money - helpful when you have a relatively expensive hobby like that. I mostly have tea for myself, but when I have people over it is fun and relaxing to be the host and prepare the tea, make sure it's steeping the right amount of time and then pouring it in the pitcher while all they have to do is sit around, chat and drink. It's the kind of structure that makes it much easier for me to actually stay in a social situation, because I don't have to constantly think of what to do and say to avoid awkward silences, but I get to enjoy the conversation while adding to it.

LONGFORM JESSE CONTENT YES THIS IS LEGIT

Really looking forward to this series. I'm new to tea and no doubt this will be extremely helpful.

Not a tea master, nor an apprentice. Simply a tea guy.

"let me know if you want a video about-" yes. I want all the videos. As many as you want to make lol Also "you're a guest at your own tea too" is so wise and sage. 🤔

Drinking tea and having conversations are fun & relaxing.

"as Confucius said no bueno" lmao love this guy hoping to see you do comedy in the future

This is what internet is for you know! Sharing your hobbies and desires in life. After watching your yt shorts a couple of times and then THIS video really made me interested in tea more than coffee

Tea Time my guy!!

Oh man this is what we've been waiting for. Hell yes man greatest tea monger out there cheers Jesse

This Content & Series on Preparation is much needed fir Tea Novice! Your knowledge and explanation is much appreciated!! Please continue on educating tea beginners !!

Very excited to see some long form content from you. It’s nice to hear how you think about things when you actually time to explore the ideas you’re talking about.

Thank you for explaining steaping tea and the importance of washing the tea leaves. I watched a bunch of other videos and was like, why are you wating so much tea.

Just wanted you to know that I subscribed because of the dolphin joke… not because it was necessarily funny, which it was, but I realized you are my people haha

Excited for this series!

I am so glad your channel found me! So in love with your energy and information you bring. I am getting that starter set and enjoying life a little bit more 💜💜💜

I have to say... I lived in china for about a year as part of my Mandarin studies, and one of the things I learned, and was so grateful to acquire, was the ability to create and present Gongfu tea. My host mother was a teacher of tea houses and had been for 13 years at the point that I had stayed with her. I am more than forever grateful for her showing me this process and being able to share it with my family.

Super informative! Thank you!

What a great video. I put this on so I could take a nap with some background noise on and ended up enthralled by the process lol. I’ll be stopping by your shop!

I love the interweaving of comedy into these videos, the vibe of this channel keeps me coming back for more content

Thank you for being my tea friend :)

Incredible video, tea is very similar to wine as it needs the right mood, tools and settlement to be fully enjoyed. Thank you so much from France !

Thank you! Was looking for a lesson on using the tea tray. Would love a longer video on how to buy tea and what to look for.

i’ve been meaning to get into chinese tea culture, thanks for the the video!

I can tell I am going to love this series! I was hoping the podcast would be more like this, but now knowing there's more long form content for tea-specific stuff then the podcast being the way it is makes way more sense to me. So keep it up!

Wow this is great!! Feeling inspired to get into gongfu tea 😊

I want you to know how much we “Americans” appreciate these videos. No one else has really gotten into the cultural values of tea and tea brewing . It’s mind blowing to see how far and wide tea leaves can come from, thank you

YO! i found you on ticktock a few years ago. deleted ticktock because its cancer and your channel was one i missed the most. so excited to see you on youtube!

Just enjoyed a tea session with my parents. I used the 7 year aged Fuding white tea chocolate bar.

This video is just perfect timing. A couple weeks ago I decide to get back to drinking tea and visited my tea spots website and found an oolong I was interested in. I see it had 2 recommended steeping times and one is for gongfu method and I got curious about what its is. A couple days ago I decide to add a set to my jobs secret santa wish list and I'm hoping whoever gets me for secret santa gets me that set. And now you upload a guide on how to do gongfu everything just lined up pretty well!

Very cool. Thank you for sharing all of this!

Always love watching your channel Jesse. Especially when I’m stressed and need to relax. I have an exam tomorrow, and finished studying for the day. Cheers mate. 🎉❤

This is just the vid I needed! After seeing tons of your tiktoks/shorts, I was so curious about many aspects of gongfu, great video Jesse!

Yay! I can't wait for the next episodes! ❤️ 🍵

This was borderline perfect. Not leaving any little element up for misinterpretation is an absolute godsend from a RU-vid creator. This channel is interesting and informative without being overdramatic, and I can't tell you how nice that is. Looking forward to more in this series!

Great video! Watched your shorts but this one was needed ! Thank you 🎉❤

Seek that leaf boi

Please show us what you look for when you're looking at tea leaves!! I have some teas that I'm a bit weary about. Has anyone else ever gotten hair in their tea cake? 😅😅

Heck yes!! Im super excited for this series!

Man, Im reallllly excited to get my subscription box and tea tray now. I've been a big fan of basic oolongs I can find in random tea shops for a while, but this channel has really helped me take the next big step to upgrading my tea drinking experience. Thanks for the extremely affordable and quality stuff.

Thank you kindly ! Can't wait to see the next episodes

Gaiwan is so versatile. I love it.

Yes!!! This is the type of tea video I always wanted. Informative and to the point about the basics. More of this, please!

this is such an interesting dive into a culture and tradition that is entirely alien to me! thank you for the educational video !

Absolutely LOVED this video! Very informative! You've really made me a tea fan in less than a day or so watching your Shorts! I also loved your jokes and insertion of comedy into the video. I'll be treating myself to a starter set for the holidays! Thanks Jesse! Can't wait for the next episode

You're incredible Jesse! What a cool series, I'll be sure to stay tuned. I found your content about a year ago, when I had Covid for the second time... When you're bedridden and suffering, there's something very soothing and comforting about the whole topic of tea, I think.

This is the perfect guide! I'm new to this channel and as an American from a tiny rural town, I'm so used to being alone in my enjoyment of Chinese tea. I'm so delighted to find such an amazing online community!!! I can't wait to dive right in. This is the first video I've seen that properly explains the gaiwan and the quicker method of steeping. Thank you! You teased that one video about telling the quality of leaves, and I want to let you know that I'd kill to see it! I *think* I know how to tell a good leaf, but I'm largely self-taught, so you may prove me wrong. . .

We seek different leaves, Jesse, but we do have a similar fondness for trays and fun shaped glass and ceramics

So awesome that you have started this on the channel!

so helpful thank u jesse!!

I'm quite happy you did a video like this. I myself just got some tea stuff this week and have been enjoying it with my family

Thank you Jesse 🙏🔥

Love this!

Oh my god this is great! An amazing series to pair with So-Han’s Gongfu TeaCha.

You are correct, something about tea has reached me. Thank you for sharing something you care about

Love this jesse! Exactly what I need!

Brilliant, thank you 🫶

Ahhh thank you, I really love drinking tea so it seems fun 🥰

I've been drinking tea in this manner exclusively for the past four years or so. It's great to see your making longer form content like this and spreading awareness about this wonderful tea culture!

Exactly what i am looking for thank you

This video was truly amazing, can't wait to see more of the Teaism series!

Really glad I found your channel, originally was just interested in tea as a way to cut back on caffeine as a coffee drinker, but you've given me appreciation for the whole ritual. I think this can really help someone slow down and live more mindfully.

Been seeing your shorts and ordered a bunch off your site. Thanks for all this! Former coffee drinker, turned tea addict

My brother got me a starter set from you and it has been AMAZING! I have used it almost every day and I even bring it to work and have session with my coworkers! Can’t wait to learn more and experience the wonders of tea!

Thank you! I learned something today, and now I want tea! ❤

Your shorts keep popping up and I got sort of addicted 😂 I always loved tea but never thought I would get hooked so much on it 😅 Will get a set very soon and get some puer teas to start with cant wait thanks so much🙏🏼

Iv watched this video 5 times now and loved it each time great way for me to try to remember the name of everything involved!

I loved this video! 🤩🫖

Thank you for the video! I love long form, your channel, and tea- so this is just what I needed to celebrate final exams being over! Merry Christmas, Jesse 🎄🍵

You're awesome Jesse, glad to see long-form content. Found you through Shorts, got me interested in tea culture. Don't normally comment on vids but I hope your channel really blows up 👍

This is so interesting. Also really helpful! I love the idea of tea ceremonies and also love the idea of tes pets. Hopefully some time I'll be able to try and even try some of your tea you source!

brilliant! good stuff, jesse!

Great video! I can't wait to watch the next one.

Exactly what I needed! I got drawn in by the tea pets and now I'm hooked 😁 I'm excited to dive deep into the world of gong fu cha with y'all! 😋

This was great thanks

This is awesome Jesse!

Absolutely love the idea of Gongfu tea 101... It definitely made the process make a lot more sense.

I would love more videos in this series. Absolutely loving your videos.

We need the next one! This is awesome

Very lovely, I've learned so much🎉

I was on that call. Thank you for your timely response.

What perfect timing, i was looking for an all-in-one explanation, and this one was posted an hour before I looked for it

definitely would like a video of you explaining what you look for in tea leaves.

I've been waiting for this!

this video was the start and sole reason of my tea journey. Thank you! Edit: Got the whole set + sampler + tea pet. Cant wait to see what it is!

Such a nice video. I genuinely enjoied it

Really enjoyed this longer format video!

Looking forward to ep.2, thanks a lot!

I was super into tea in my teens, but your content has inspired me to get back into it! I plan on get a full little setup with a table, a porcelain set, and tea pets. It sounds like such a pleasant and relaxing way to enjoy tea.

Love this sorta thing, Jesse - looking forward to more of these longer form videos, they're actually quite soothing to watch 😊 Maybe one for much later in the series, but do you have food/snacks/anything alongside the gongfu tea ceremony?