It is the essential tea for the mint tea ceremony. Although this tea is most famous in North Africa for preparing mint tea, it originated in China, where its history dates back to the prestigious Tang Dynasty (618-907). We offer you here a superior quality that guarantees an infusion without excessive bitterness if properly prepared.

Known by its original name Zhu Cha (珠茶, literally "pearl tea") in China, it is one of the oldest and most consumed green tea styles around the world. Its leaves are meticulously rolled up on themselves to form small, dense pearls of a dark and shiny olive green. This traditional rolling process, which initially served to preserve the freshness of the leaves and facilitate their transport over long distances without degradation, now allows it to offer an infusion of incomparable power and freshness.

The name of this tea is fascinating and is explained by several well-documented theories:

Gunpowder is a green tea from China whose leaves are dried and then rolled very tightly upon themselves. This ancestral technique was initially intended to better preserve the tea during long sea voyages. The smaller and shinier the pellets, the younger and higher quality the tea. Conversely, large, open pellets often indicate a lower quality tea.

The infusion offers a limpid liquor ranging from pale yellow to bright golden-green. On the nose, marked scents of fresh cut grass, supported by subtle aromas of hazelnut, roasted chestnut, and a delicate touch of smoke. On the palate, a robust and structured body, considerably more intense and textured than most traditional green teas. The astringency is present but well-controlled, complemented by a mineral, vegetal, and slightly sweet finish with honey notes.

Gunpowder is an economical tea because its leaves unfold enormously: a small amount is enough for a lot of volume. Why do your leaves open in hot water? It's the sign of quality! The "pearl" simply resumes its original leaf shape—the physical kinetics of the pearl is in fact spectacular, unfurling suddenly on contact with hot water.

Gunpowder is more robust than Sencha. It withstands hotter water, but requires specific preparation, especially for mint tea. Unlike Sencha, Gunpowder often needs to be "washed" before steeping.

Throughout the Maghreb, Gunpowder tea is the central and inseparable element of mint tea, the absolute symbol of hospitality and social sharing. Its robust structure and slight bitterness allow it to withstand direct decoction on the fire and perfectly balance the sweetness of the sugar and the power of the fresh mint without fading away.

Thanks to its rolled leaves, Gunpowder stores better than most green teas. Container: airtight tin. Location: dry and away from light. It can be kept for 12 to 18 months without losing too many aromas.