Gunpowder tea is a type of green tea that is rolled into small balls resembling gunpowder pellets. It originated in China during the Tang Dynasty and is mainly produced in the southeastern province of Zhejiang. The tea is now largely automated but high-quality teas are still hand-rolled. It is popular in Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and […]
Urine was historically used to extract saltpeter, a crucial ingredient in gunpowder, due to its high nitrate content. Other ingredients like coal and sulfur were also needed. Urine has also been used as fertilizer, pest repellent, and in fabric preparation. Urine can in fact be used in the production of gunpowder, and has historically been […]
Gunpowder, made from sulphur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate, was developed in China in the 9th century and used in early firearms. It is now mostly replaced by smokeless powder made of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. The first successful smokeless powder was Poudre B, developed in 1884 by Paul Vieille. Gunpowder is an explosive material traditionally made […]
Chinese alchemists accidentally discovered gunpowder in the late Tang dynasty by mixing saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Gunpowder was used for military purposes, such as cannons and grenades, and for non-military purposes, such as fireworks. The Song Dynasty repelled Mongol invaders with “flying fire” arrows and advanced gunpowder-based weaponry. Gunpowder remained a secret weapon until the […]
