New to puerh? Here is a guide to everything you need to get started on a budget, ordered from most to least important.

The Essentials

1. Cup
   

   
   This is actually all you need. It's called grandpa style. Put some leaves in a mug with boiling water, wait a bit, and enjoy. Won't the leaves get in your mouth? Yes, but you can try to filter them with your teeth.

   If you want to brew "gongfu" style (and you should) you will need a smaller cup. If you're on a budget, I recommend a gongfu travel set.

   Amazon
   https://a.co/d/fdt18l9

   Aliexpress
   https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808788348970.html
   
   

2. Gaiwan

   
   A common beginner mistake is getting the wrong size gaiwan. You want around 100 ml. Dont get me wrong, big gaiwans have their place. But 100 ml is large enough to have decent heat retention, while still being small enough to allow you to push your ratio.

   Where to buy? Same links as above. Get a set.

3. Kettle
   

   
   I'm going to drop a hot take. Stay away from gooseneck kettles, especially the coffee lover's favorite, the Bonavita. Puerh wants to steep in water that is as hot as possible. That long neck cools it down too much.

   Cheap kettles work. You want to see that sucker boil.

   Amazon
   https://a.co/d/fbf47oW
   

Ok now that the strictly required is out of the way, let's cover some of the nice to haves.

The "Nice to Haves"

4. Mylar Bags

   

   Keep your teas cakes from drying out, and keep the odors out. 1 gallon bags fit 1 cake.

   Budget option:
   https://a.co/d/iHJjdEL

   Best I've found:
   https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/1-gallon-mylar-bag-with-ziplock
   
   

5. Boveda Packs

   You can put these with your cakes in mylar to stabilize humidity. You have a choice between 65% to 72% RH. I'd favor 65% in hotter climates to be safer. Too much humdity plus temperature swings equals MOLD.

   https://a.co/d/gKHMpPK
   
   

6. Good Water

   Do yourself a favor and buy a big jug of spring water. Tea is mostly water, and it makes a huge difference. Trust me.

7. Scale

   
   If you want a thick, concentrated tea soup, it's important to use somewhere between 4 - 8 grams per 100 ml of water.

   https://a.co/d/hMYqpiW

8. Puerh Pick
   

   Not necessary but it helps, especially for iron cakes. Even something like a screwdriver will do, but be careful with your fingers.

   https://a.co/d/e9eAHq1

9. Tray
   

   
   Contain the crumbs when you break into your cake.

   https://a.co/d/9ry457a

10. Teapet

    Teapets. Hell yeah.