(Organic) Gunpowder Green Tea
Product Description
Gunpowder tea is a form of green Chinese tea produced in Zhejiang Province of China in which each leaf has been rolled into a small round pellet. It is believed to take its English name from the fact that the tea resembles blackpowder grains.
Gunpowder tea production dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) but it was first introduced to Taiwan in the 1800s. Gunpowder tea leaves are withered, steamed, rolled, and then dried. Although the individual leaves were formerly rolled by hand, today most gunpowder tea is rolled by machines (though the highest grades are still rolled by hand). Rolling renders the leaves less susceptible to physical damage and breakage and allows them to retain more of their flavor and aroma.
When buying gunpowder tea it is important to look for shiny pellets, which indicate that the tea is relatively fresh. Pellet size is also associated with quality, larger pellets being considered a mark of lower quality tea. High quality gunpowder tea will have small, tightly rolled pellets.
Gunpowder tea has a rich, distinct smokey flavor that is unique to this variety alone. Many people use this tea to replace coffee due to its taste. Start with a small amount and watch at the pellets "explode" and unravel into long leaves upon being steeped in hot water.
This is a great tea to have after a heavy meal to stimulate digestion.
Packaging: Bulk/Loose Leaf
Grade: Premium Quality/Organic
Gunpowder tea production dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) but it was first introduced to Taiwan in the 1800s. Gunpowder tea leaves are withered, steamed, rolled, and then dried. Although the individual leaves were formerly rolled by hand, today most gunpowder tea is rolled by machines (though the highest grades are still rolled by hand). Rolling renders the leaves less susceptible to physical damage and breakage and allows them to retain more of their flavor and aroma.
When buying gunpowder tea it is important to look for shiny pellets, which indicate that the tea is relatively fresh. Pellet size is also associated with quality, larger pellets being considered a mark of lower quality tea. High quality gunpowder tea will have small, tightly rolled pellets.
Gunpowder tea has a rich, distinct smokey flavor that is unique to this variety alone. Many people use this tea to replace coffee due to its taste. Start with a small amount and watch at the pellets "explode" and unravel into long leaves upon being steeped in hot water.
This is a great tea to have after a heavy meal to stimulate digestion.
Packaging: Bulk/Loose Leaf
Grade: Premium Quality/Organic