The MountTea Journal

Find your tea.
Make it your ritual.

Simple beginnings, better brewing, and stories behind the leaves. Explore Chinese and Taiwanese tea, one cup at a time.

Brewing guides

Hand pouring golden tea from a gaiwan into a glass pitcher
Guide 1 · Brewing guides

How to Brew Gongfu Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn gongfu brewing with a small gaiwan: measure the leaves, make short infusions, empty the vessel fully and adjust the next pour to taste.

3 min read
Kettle, clear water pitcher, dry tea and an hourglass on stone
Guide 7 · Brewing guides

Tea, Water and Time: A Practical Brewing Guide

Use a clear starting table for gongfu and mug brewing, understand working volume and water, and change one variable when a cup needs adjustment.

2 min read
Three tea infusions ranging from pale gold to dark amber
Guide 10 · Brewing guides

Why Does My Tea Taste Bitter, Weak or Flat?

Diagnose bitter, drying, weak and flat tea separately. Use a controlled brewing adjustment instead of changing leaf, water and time all at once.

3 min read
Gaiwan and tasting cup beside a mug and metal infuser
Guide 13 · Brewing guides

Gongfu vs Mug Brewing: Two Ways to Enjoy Tea

Compare leaf ratios, timing, equipment and taste in gongfu and mug brewing. Choose the method that fits your tea and the time you have.

2 min read
Five cups showing successive tea infusions from amber to pale gold
Guide 14 · Brewing guides

How Many Times Can You Rebrew Tea?

Know when tea has another good infusion left, why leaf structure changes the sequence, and why a fixed infusion count is a poor quality test.

2 min read

More from the journal

Pu-erh Resin Brewing Guide for Better Cups
Brewing guides

Pu-erh Resin Brewing Guide for Better Cups

Use this pu-erh resin brewing guide to choose water temperature, portion size, and steeping time for a clear, balanced cup at home or work without guesswork.

7 min read
Best Temperature for Green Tea Explained
Brewing guides

Best Temperature for Green Tea Explained

Find the best temperature for green tea by style, leaf shape, and brewing vessel. Clear gongfu and Western methods for sweeter, balanced cups at home.

6 min read
How to Brew Sheng Pu-erh: Gongfu Brewing
Brewing guides

How to Brew Sheng Pu-erh: Gongfu Brewing

Learn how to brew sheng pu-erh with a gaiwan: leaf ratio, water temperature, timing, and adjustments for young or aged raw tea at home with confidence.

7 min read