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 Morocco. Gunpowder tea is unroasted and tastes fresh and herbal. It can be found in specialty tea shops, Asian markets, and grocery stores.
Gunpowder tea is green tea that is rolled into small balls resembling the gunpowder pellets that were formerly used to load into cannons. Tea predates cannon in origin, and how it is made dates back to around the 7th century AD, during the Tang Dynasty rule of China. In China, gunpowder tea is known by various names, such as pinyin and zhu cha, and is mainly produced in the southeastern province of Zhejiang.
Today the process of making gunpowder tea is largely automated, but the tea used to be brewed by hand. Some very high-quality and very expensive teas are still hand-rolled, but most of what you find in shops or specialty tea shops is machine-rolled. Quality gunpowder tea should be shiny. If not, the tea is probably older and will taste inferior.
Although China is the leading producer of gunpowder tea, the tea became extremely popular in Taiwan in the 19th century. Most Taiwanese drink tea grown and trained in Keelung, a port city located on the north coast.
Some other places in the world are particularly fond of gunpowder tea. Sri Lankans grow green tea at high altitudes, which creates subtle changes in the taste of the tea. One Moroccan tea ritual employs mint-flavored gunpowder tea. Anyone who participates in one of these rituals should be sure to drink at least two cups, since doing less is insulting to the host.
This form of tea is unroasted and many claim it tastes fresh and herbal. To brew the best cuppa, consider about 2-3 scoops per cup of tea. It’s fun to watch the tea unfold when the hot water hits it. Some say it “explodes” like gunpowder. Many also love this iced green tea and find the taste of the fresh leaves very fresh.
Gunpowder tea may occasionally be sold as pearl tea, but even in the United States, “gunpowder” is a more commonly used name. The tea has enjoyed a surge in popularity in the United States, so it can be found in fairly large grocery stores. Otherwise, it can be easily ordered over the Internet or purchased at Asian markets, international food and import markets, and specialty food stores. Tea drinkers who have a Chinatown nearby can buy the tea loose, which offers the best opportunity to check its brilliance and freshness.
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