--- title: Josh Caliguire — Blog on Tea, Friendship & Travel | Gong Fu Cha description: Gong Fu Cha | Writing about tea, friendship, and travel. Guides, gear, and stories. image: https://www.joshcaliguire.com/hubfs/2022_12_Switzerland7877-1.jpg --- [Josh Caliguire](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog) [Tea](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog) [Friendship](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog) [About](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/about?hsLang=en) [Subscribe](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/contact#newsletter) From the Blog # Blog Writing about tea, friendship, and travel. Guides, gear, and stories. [All](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog) [Tea](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/tea) [Teaware](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/teaware) [Friendship](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/friendship) [Yerba Mate](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/yerba-mate) [Gong Fu Cha](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/gong-fu-cha) [Tea Ceremony](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/tea-ceremony) [Brewing Guides](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/brewing-guides) [Coffee](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/coffee) [Matcha](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/matcha) [Yerba Mate Guides](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/yerba-mate-guides) [AeroPress](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/aeropress) [Making Friends](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/making-friends) [Boulder](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/boulder) [Mazatlan](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/mazatlan) [Tea Bar](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/tea-bar) [Work](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/work) [Iced Tea](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/iced-tea) [Storage](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/storage) [Travel](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/travel) [Community](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/community) [![Gong fu tea session with hot water and small cups](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/water-boiler-tea/gong-fu-tea-session-hot-water.jpg)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/best-water-boiler-for-tea) Tea ### [Best Water Boiler for Tea in 2026: Hot Water on Tap for Gong Fu Cha, Green Tea and Hosting](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/best-water-boiler-for-tea) The best water boiler for tea holds the right temperature all day. My 5 picks, led by the Zojirushi I've used for years, for gong fu cha, work and hosting. Josh Caliguire · Oct 15, 2026 [![Open book beside a cup of tea](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/tea-book-review/best-tea-book-open-with-cup-of-tea.jpg)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tea-history-terroirs-varieties-review) Tea ### [Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties Review: The Best Tea Book I Own (and a Gorgeous Coffee Table Book)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tea-history-terroirs-varieties-review) My review of Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties, the tea book I've used since 2016. Why it's the best book about tea and a beautiful coffee table book. Josh Caliguire · Oct 14, 2026 [![Warm mug of tea with Christmas lights in the background](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/tea-gifts-for-friends/christmas-gifts-for-tea-lovers-hero.jpg)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/christmas-gifts-for-tea-lovers) Tea ### [Christmas Gifts for Tea Lovers: 12 Tea Gifts Your Friends Will Actually Use (2026)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/christmas-gifts-for-tea-lovers) The best Christmas gifts for tea lovers, from stocking stuffers to splurges. 12 tea gifts for friends, including the portable gong fu set I travel with. Josh Caliguire · Oct 14, 2026 [![beginner tea set gaiwan instead of yi xing tea pot clay](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/yixing-gaiwan/porcelain-gaiwan-lidded-bowl.jpg)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/yi-xing-vs-gaiwain-for-beginners) Tea ### [Should Gong Fu Cha Beginners Buy a Yixing Teapot? No. Start With a Gaiwan.](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/yi-xing-vs-gaiwain-for-beginners) Thinking about a Yixing teapot for gong fu cha? Here's why beginners should start with a porcelain gaiwan instead, and when Yixing finally is worth it. Josh Caliguire · Sep 30, 2026 [![tea creating community](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/e_upscale/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/featured/inviting-people-over-for-tea-hospitality-community)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/inviting-people-over-for-tea-hospitality-community) Tea ### [Inviting People Over for Tea: The Simplest Way to Create Community](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/inviting-people-over-for-tea-hospitality-community) Hospitality doesn't have to be expensive. Here's how inviting people over for loose leaf tea and Gong Fu Cha helped me build community everywhere I've lived. Josh Caliguire · Jun 10, 2026 [![tea ceremony set for beginners](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/e_upscale/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/featured/gong-fu-cha-tea-ceremony-set-for-beginners)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/gong-fu-cha-tea-ceremony-set-for-beginners) Tea ### [The Best Gong Fu Cha Tea Ceremony Set for Beginners](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/gong-fu-cha-tea-ceremony-set-for-beginners) Beautiful, affordable, and actually portable. I've done Gong Fu Cha for years, and this is the starter set I'd hand anyone just getting into it. Josh Caliguire · May 10, 2026 [![best portable tea set for gong fu ](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/e_upscale/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/featured/best-portable-tea-set)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/best-portable-tea-set) Tea ### [Best Ceremony Tea Set for Travel](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/best-portable-tea-set) Looking for the best tea ceremony set for travel? This affordable gong fu setup packs safely, brews beautifully, and works like a charm. Josh Caliguire · May 10, 2026 [![gong fu tea ceremony ](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/e_upscale/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/featured/gong-fu-cha-the-chinese-tea-ceremony-that-will-slow-you-down)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/gong-fu-cha-the-chinese-tea-ceremony-that-will-slow-you-down) Tea ### [Gong Fu Cha: The Chinese Tea Ceremony That Will Slow You Down](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/gong-fu-cha-the-chinese-tea-ceremony-that-will-slow-you-down) Gong Fu Cha is a 2,000-year-old Chinese tea ceremony anyone can do at home. No training required. Just good tea, good company, and nowhere to be. Josh Caliguire · May 9, 2026 [![tea helped me make new friends in a new city](https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/featured/how-a-tea-ceremony-taught-me-to-make-friends-in-a-new-city)](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/how-a-tea-ceremony-taught-me-to-make-friends-in-a-new-city) Tea ### [How a Tea Ceremony Taught Me to Make Friends in a New City](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/how-a-tea-ceremony-taught-me-to-make-friends-in-a-new-city) Moving to Boulder at 16, I didn't know anyone. Then I found a tea shop. Here's what the Gong Fu Cha taught me about making friends in a new city. Josh Caliguire · Apr 30, 2026 ## Pull Up a Chair Get my best notes on tea, yerba mate, and friendship in your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Josh Caliguire Writer, tea lover, and community builder. Exploring friendship, intentional living, and the best cup of the day. Explore - [Blog](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog) - [Tea](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/tea) - [Yerba Mate](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/yerba-mate) - [Friendship](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tag/friendship) - [About](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/about?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/contact?hsLang=en) Partners © 2026 Josh Caliguire. Powered by tea, friendship, and midnight oreos and milk.