How Much Pu-erh to Use
Simple Pu-erh leaf ratios for gaiwan, teapot, and mug brewing, with adjustments for raw, ripe, cake, and loose tea.
The short answer: For Gongfu brewing, start with about 5 grams of Pu-erh for a 100-120 ml vessel, then adjust leaf and time by taste.
Measurement and repeatability.
Gongfu Ratio
A common starting point is 1 gram of tea for about 20-25 ml of water. This is strong enough for short infusions and easy to adjust.
Mug Ratio
For a larger mug, use less leaf and a longer steep. Expect fewer rounds and less precision than a gaiwan session.
Buyer checklist
| Question | What to check |
|---|---|
| Weigh once | Use a scale for a few sessions so your hand learns the volume. |
| Control time | More leaf requires shorter steeps; less leaf can handle longer steeps. |
| Break cakes evenly | Use a mix of intact pieces and loose flakes for a balanced brew. |
Common mistakes
- Using a heaping spoon and changing the amount every session.
- Adding more leaf to fix flat tea before checking water temperature.
- Using dust from a cake edge as if it were intact leaves.
Recommended Tealibere next steps
- Handmade Gaiwan - Makes small measured sessions practical.
- Pu-erh Tea Collection - Apply the ratio to different Pu-erh formats.
FAQ
Do ripe and raw Pu-erh use the same ratio?
They can start at the same ratio, but young raw may need shorter steeps if it tastes sharp.
Why is my cake tea inconsistent?
Cake pieces vary. Try to include both intact leaf chunks and smaller flakes, then rinse briefly.