Heaven of Tea

Some teas have fascinating stories and backgrounds that make drinking them a bit more special. Gunpowder green tea is one of those, so I thought I would point out what makes it special.

Gunpowder tea is a very popular version of green tea, particularly in certain areas. In Northern Africa a mint tea using gunpowder tea as its base is extremely popular. In fact, this African Mint Tea is used in the local tea ceremonies. But it is the history of gunpowder that makes it captivating.

In China, Gunpowder green tea is called zhu cha or “pearl tea” because of its unique shape. Originally gunpowder tea was rolled into small balls by hand, which helps to prevent damage to the tea leaves. By keeping the leaves undamaged, the tea retains more flavor and aroma. So the rolling isn’t just for looks – it has a very practical reason. And as you steep gunpowder tea, it’s fascinating to watch the slow unfurling of the balled tea with the occasional “pop” when a leaf suddenly unfurls very quickly.

But once rolled, the tea clearly resembles actual gunpowder. And here’s where the history gets a little muddy. Why did the English begin calling it gunpowder tea? Is it the popping leaves as the tea steeps? Or the smoky aroma and aftertaste that add a masculine complexity to this green tea? Most commonly it is believed that the English sailors who were exporting the tea from China to the West referred to it as Gunpowder tea because it looks like the gunpowder they used. This seems the most obvious explanation, but perhaps all three reasons had some affect on the name.

Another thing you should know about Gunpowder tea: there are several types that determine the quality and the taste. The best Gunpowder tea is Temple of Heaven Grade, which is occasionally called Pinhead Gunpowder. It has the best flavor and the most authentic “gunpowder” complexity. It is also the Gunpowder tea that actually comes from China. But there are also two other types of Gunpowder Tea: Formosa Gunpowder and Ceylon Gunpowder from Taiwan and Sri Lanka, respectively. Formosa Gunpowder is actually an Oolong tea, rather than a traditional green tea. Other teas are also rolled into a gunpowder ball shape, but these aren’t usually called gunpowder teas.

Should you try gunpowder? If you like green teas, I would at least taste it. Gunpowder has an interesting smoky taste and aroma that has remained popular – I personally like it. As a green tea, it typically is not mixed with sugar or milk and should be consumed hot, not iced. Use 1 teaspoon of tea per 8 ounces of water and heat the water to just before boiling. It only should steep for a minute.

Teavana’s Gunpowder Green tea is a Temple of Heaven grade Chinese tea. And, to be honest, it is delicious. So next time you’re looking for a new tea, think muskets, cannonballs, and Gunpowder!