To say our very own Gunpowder Green Tea is mesmerising to watch as it brews is no understatement. Notably unusual in appearance, this beverage - which consists of small, Green Tea pellets - will beautifully unfurl before your eyes when placed in boiling water. The infusion itself, meanwhile, is equally delicious, and is one of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company’s most popular Gunpowder Teas.
Originating from the Zhejiang Province, south of Shanghai, China, this tea’s incredible flavour boasts a fascinating and complex earthy-smoky taste - the like of which is very uncommon in any other types of Green Tea.
If this wasn’t enough, Gunpowder Tea has also been praised for its outstanding health benefits which include improved cardiovascular health, relief from digestive issues, and even a reduced risk of Type II diabetes! From its look to its taste; its aroma to its beneficial potential; Gunpowder Green Tea is the perfect beverage for just about anything!
In its native China, Gunpowder Tea is known as ‘zhū chá’, which can be translated to literally mean ‘pearl tea’ or ‘bead tea’. Meanwhile, there are many theories surrounding the origin of Gunpowder Teas English name. The most common claim is that when it was first created, its overall appearance resembled the gunpowder pellets used for muskets. Another theory suggests that the term ‘gunpowder’ was applied to the brew upon its first infusion, when the rolled Green Tea leaves ‘crackled’ and ‘exploded’ in boiling water.
Finally, there is the belief that it may stem from the Mandarin Chinese phrase for ‘freshly brewed’, ‘gāng pào de’ (剛泡的), which sounds very similar to the English word, ‘gunpowder’. Whether there is any truth behind any of these stories is a subject of great debate. However, it is known that Gunpowder Tea originated from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).
Gunpowder Tea can be made from Green, Black, or Oolong Tea, although the former is the most popular type, as well as being the most produced. It is created by withering the tea leaves to remove moisture, followed by steaming, and then rolling. The rolled tea leaves are shaped into tiny pellets which, traditionally, was conducted by hand.
Today, however, machinery is predominantly used to keep up with the ever-increasing demand in Gunpowder Tea. It is now grown, cultivated, and produced in many provinces across China, including Guangdong, Anhui, Hunan, and Fujian.
It was also introduced to Taiwan in the 19th Century, where it now thrives in many tea-growing regions. In recent years, the global tea industry has observed a spike in Gunpowder Tea sales as more is uncovered on how this wonder-brew can improve our everyday way of life. To find out more information, please see our health benefits section below.
Type of Tea: Loose Leaf Green Tea.
Origin: The Zhejiang Province, China.
Brewing Instructions: Brew using freshly boiled water (between 75 and 80 degrees) and infuse for 1 to 3 minutes.
How to Serve: In many countries in North Africa, Gunpowder Green Tea is traditionally brewed with freshly picked mint to make a very tasty, and heavily minty tea. If this is not to your personal taste, consider the addition of lemon. Alternatively, this beverage is best served as it is.
Tasting Notes: Gunpowder Green Tea is noted for its earthy aroma, coupled with its subtlety smoky flavour. Grassy undertones may also be embraced in this brew, with a delightfully tangy, yet wonderfully refreshing aftertaste. When brewing Green Teas always take care not to over brew as this can result in harshness.
Colour in Cup: Golden-yellow liquor, light in tone.
Benefits of Gunpowder Tea: According to a large-scale Japanese study published in ‘The Journal of the American Medical Association’, Green Teas including our Gunpowder Green Tea may provide the avid consumer with a longer lifespan! The 2006 study examined 40,530 test subjects over an 11 year period, determining that those who drank the most Green Tea were less likely to die from any of the causes studied, excluding cancer.
Participants who consumed 5 cups per day obtained the greatest benefits. Further to this, frequent consumption of Gunpowder Tea has been associated with an improved immune system, as well as providing excellent weight management. Any type of Green Tea has the ability to boost the metabolism which, in turn, can enable the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently. This is largely due to antioxidant compounds known as catechins and theanine which are found in high quantities in Gunpowder Green Tea.
