Gongfu Brew Timer
Pick a tea type and how many infusions you plan to pour, then run a live countdown through each one — the schedule adds a few seconds to every round as the leaf slowly gives up less.
Infusion 1 of 6
| Infusion | Steep time |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0:20 |
| 2 | 0:30 |
| 3 | 0:40 |
| 4 | 0:50 |
| 5 | 1:00 |
| 6 | 1:10 |
Brewing multiple infusions
Gongfu brewing — literally “making tea with skill” — uses a small vessel packed with a relatively large amount of leaf and very short, near-boiling infusions, one after another, rather than one long steep in a big pot. The reward is watching a single tea unfold: early infusions often show brighter, more volatile aromas, while later ones reveal deeper, sweeter, or earthier character as the leaf continues to open.
Pour off every infusion completely and promptly — leaving leaf sitting in water between rounds keeps extracting and throws the schedule off. Use the countdown as a guide and adjust to taste; the schedule is a sensible starting rhythm, not a rulebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does each infusion get longer?
The leaf gives up its most readily available flavor and caffeine in the earliest infusions. A short first steep captures that concentrated burst without over-extracting; adding a few seconds to each later infusion compensates as the leaf has progressively less left to give, keeping the strength roughly consistent from cup to cup.
Why is oolong's schedule longer than green tea's?
Oolong is often rolled or twisted into tight balls or strips, which take a few infusions to fully unfurl. A slightly longer base time and increment give the leaf time to open up across the session, whereas open-leaf green tea releases its flavor faster from the very first steep.
How many infusions can a tea take?
It varies widely — a good oolong or pu-erh can often go 6 to 10 rounds or more, while a delicate green tea may taper off after 3 or 4. As a rule of thumb, once an infusion tastes noticeably thin or flat compared to the one before it, that's the tea telling you it's done.
Is this the same as the Steep Time & Temperature Calculator?
No — that tool gives a single Western-style temperature and steep-time range for one long brew. This timer is for gongfu-style sessions: many short, back-to-back infusions from the same leaf, each timed slightly longer than the last.
Brewing guide only. The schedule is a practical starting rhythm — taste as you go and adjust to your leaf and your palate.