Gaiwan Brewing Basics

Explore the art of brewing tea with a gaiwan, the classic lidded bowl whose simplicity reveals rich nuance. This hands-on class covers how to hold, pour, and brew with ease, examines the vessel’s anatomy, and builds confidence in finding your own rhythm for steeping. Small, meaningful choices that shape each cup are highlighted so you leave with practical methods to use at home and a refreshed relationship with tea. Rooted in technique yet guided by the senses, the session fosters presence and intuition. Brewing is approached as an ongoing dialogue between you and the leaf, with the gaiwan as the place where that conversation begins. This offering uses a sliding scale. The suggested contribution is $45. Options such as $35 or amounts above the suggested figure are welcome, and higher contributions help keep the experience accessible for those with financial need. BIPOC participants who would benefit from it may contribute $15. If price remains a hurdle, the organizer is committed to working with participants so tea education stays within reach. Everyone is welcome in a space shaped by openness, care, and community. To support those with sensory sensitivities, please avoid strong fragrances. Participants are encouraged to honor personal needs and boundaries, creating a calm, shared atmosphere where tea and belonging can thrive. The class is led by D'Guar (they/them), a trans person of color, tea guide, and community builder based in Portland. Through Water Fairy Tea, they hold spaces where education and devotion meet, inviting people to meet Camellia sinensis as a companion in reflection, connection, and community care with the natural world. This work honors the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Clackamas, Chinook, Kathlamet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and other Indigenous peoples, with gratitude for their enduring presence, wisdom, and stewardship.