Gong Dao Bei - 公道杯

Gong Dao Bei, also known as “fairness cup,” is a common accessory in modern Gongfu Cha. Its primary function is to ensure sharing the same intensity in each cup of tea, which embodies the concept of “fairness”: being fair to every taster. Additionally, it serves to separate tea dregs from the liquor and to slightly cool down the freshly brewed tea at a high temperature.

 

It is often mistaken as a traditional accessory used since ancient times. However, it is not even applied in Gongfu Cha of Chaozhou style, which has a relatively short history. In fact, Gong Dao Bei was invented by Taiwanese tea experts no earlier than the 1980s and subsequently introduced to mainland China, eventually becoming a frequent accessory on the tea table today. It is believed that its source of inspiration was the Yuzamashi (湯冷し) used in Japanese Senchadō.