What's the difference between gongfu and Western brewing?
I see both styles everywhere — which is better, and what's the actual difference?
Western: a lot of water, little leaf, one long steep (~3 min). Designed for big mugs and casual drinking. Gongfu (功夫): little water, lots of leaf, many short steeps (10–60 seconds each). Designed to draw out evolving flavors across 6–12 infusions from the same leaves. Neither is 'better' — gongfu reveals more nuance in good leaves, Western is faster and waste-free for everyday drinking. Most teas can be brewed both ways.
— Yurii — 931 Tea, 931 Tea